Tree stand incidents can happen to deer hunters regardless of skill level or experience and result in serious injury or even death. Unfortunately, in nearly every case, these incidents were preventable. To help prevent injuries, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging hunters to practice the ABC’s of Tree Stand Safety:

• Always remove and inspect your equipment
• Buckle on your full-body harness
• Connect to the tree before your feet leave the ground

“Hunters should take tree stand safety seriously, every time you hunt from, hang, or move a tree stand. By performing these three simple steps and properly using a haul line, tree stand users can virtually eliminate their risk of falling to the ground as the majority of falls occur outside the stand,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Iowa DNR reports an estimated 60,000 hunters will be heading to the timber in the next few weeks as Iowa’s archery deer season gets underway Oct. 1. For hunters in the derecho corridor, this year will not be like seasons past. According to Tyler Harms, deer program leader for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), “Scouting is always important, but if you’re hunting in the area damaged by derecho, it will be particularly important this year.” Deer are habitual animals, Harms said, but in the area impacted by the historic August storm, deer travel lanes, food sources and even some bedding areas – their habits – have likely been changed.

Hunters should spend time getting reacquainted with the new landscape and to pattern deer habits and identify the locations of any downed trees as hunters are most likely going to be walking out there in the dark. They may also need to reset or rebuild tree stands or move the tree stands to new travel corridors or to new cover. Deer movement will likely be increasing with the activity in the field, between the crop harvest underway as well as fields being chopped as part of the damaged crop removal requirement for insurance. “The current weather pattern and crop removal will make for an interesting start to the season, especially for the first weekend,” Harms said.

In a typical year, deer tend to focus on existing food sources, then turn to green browse as the harvest continues. Given the amount of waste grain in the derecho fields, bow hunters may need to rethink their strategy.

Iowa deer population down slightly: The results of Iowa’s annual spring spotlight survey indicate the population is 3 percent lower than last year, said Harms, who coordinates the project. Part of the decline could be related to last year’s outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in certain locations. “What we know is that the population can recover,” he said. “While we were in a pretty significant drought this year, we haven’t received any reports of the disease. That may change as the crops come out, but so far, so good.”

Bowhunters hunt a lot: Bowhunters wait all year for November when they cash in a large chunk of their vacation hours so they can spend time in the tree stand during the rut waiting for that hormone charged stag to come along. The rut is the deer breeding season, when deer, especially-bucks, loose their usual cautiousness and become active and aggressive during all hours of the day. Bow hunters fall on the avid range of the participation scale. Based on the annual bowhunter survey, they go out an average of 12 trips per year and spend an average of 3-1/2 hours per trip. They tend to be more selective and harvest fewer does than other regular deer seasons.

CWD sampling: While chronic wasting disease sample collection is often associated with the shotgun seasons, the Iowa DNR does collect deer tissue samples during bow season as part of its statewide annual effort to monitor for the fatal disease. “Those adult bucks harvested early in the fall by bow hunters are the best samples for us when looking for the disease in new areas,” Harms said. The DNR has a goal of collecting a minimum of 15 samples from each county, with higher quotas assigned to counties where the disease has been found in wild deer or have high risk of the disease due to adjacent counties with positive animals.  Hunters willing to provide a sample are encouraged to contact their local wildlife biologist to arrange for the collection.

In the event that the county quota has been filled, or if the hunter is interested in testing a fawn or other nonpriority deer, hunters may choose to pay for their own test through a new partnership with the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Hunters will need to contact their local wildlife staff and ask how they can get their deer tested through the new hunter submitted option. The DNR will collect and submit the sample on their behalf. There is a $25 fee for the laboratory to run the test. Results should be available within 2-3 weeks.

Changes to deer seasons

• The antlerless deer quota has been adjusted in 23 counties.
• The January antlerless deer season will not be offered this year except in certain zones for chronic wasting disease management.
• The early muzzleloader and first shotgun season buck-only restriction has been removed in Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hardin and Grundy counties. The early muzzleloader buck-only restriction has been removed in 20 additional counties in northwest corner of the state.

Deer donation program: The Iowa DNR, the Food Bank of Iowa and 39 meat lockers are participating in the Help Us Stop Hunger program for 2020. Hunters are encouraged to contact a participating locker before they harvest a deer to see if the locker has any additional drop off instructions. Hunters may also sign up as a deer donor with the Iowa Deer Exchange at www.iowadnr.gov/deer then scroll down to Iowa’s Deer Exchange Program link. There, donors can provide their information on what they are willing to donate. The database creates a map and table with information deer donors and deer recipients can use to get connected. There is no cost to participate. It is illegal to sell wild fish and game in Iowa.

Text to harvest: Hunters who harvest a deer are required to report their harvest by midnight on the day after it is tagged or before taking it to a locker or taxidermist. The hunter whose name is on the transportation tag is responsible for making the report. If no deer is harvested, no report is necessary. New this year is the option to report the harvest via text message. Simply text the registration number to 1-800-771-4692 and follow the prompts. Hunters are still able to report their harvest online, by phone, or using the Go Outdoors Iowa app.

Don’t Veer for Deer: The combination of cool fall weather and tractors and combines removing crops in fields across Iowa will likely get deer moving early this year. With the peak of the deer breeding activity still more than a month away, drivers need to remain vigilant with their defensive driving skills. “Try to minimize distractions, like cellphones or eating while driving, and, if possible, avoid driving during dawn and dusk which are when deer are most active,” said Harms. “Slow your speed, look fencerow to fencerow and for the reflection of their eyes. If a deer jumps on to the roadway, don’t veer or try to avoid it, but use a controlled braking technique.” Drivers passing through the storm damaged part of the state need to be aware that deer may not be traveling through the usual corridors, Harms said.

(Radio Iowa) – Shoppers looking for their favorite cuts of meat should soon see plenty of them. Beef and pork production are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels after disruptions this spring when outbreaks of COVID-19 sent workers home and meat plants cut production. Farmers and feedlots had to leave animals on site longer than expected, but livestock economist Derrell Peel says now very few beef cattle remain backed-up. “It’s taken the rest of the summer and here into the fall to sort of catch up,” Peel says. “I think we are largely caught up at this point, the indications are that we have largely addressed the backlog.”

Most backlogged pigs have also made it to market. Despite estimates claiming millions of market-weight hogs might be euthanized and not reach the food supply, the actual numbers were much lower. Farmer Mike Paustian of Walcott, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, didn’t lose any of his hogs. “There were some big numbers getting thrown around about what potentially, how many pigs might have to be euthanized,” Paustian says, “and when it was all said and done, that ended up being far, far fewer pigs than what a lot of people were expecting.”

Paustian says he bought extra barns so he could house big pigs longer. He and others also changed the animals’ diets so they could eat without gaining weight. About 65-thousand market-weight pigs were killed on farms in Iowa. Reports say two-thirds of those belonged to one company.

(Reporting by Amy Mayer, Iowa Public Radio)

MARION, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa park will be renamed to honor a Keskwaki activist, removing a derogatory term that has long been part of the park’s name. The Linn County Conservation Board on Monday said the name of Squaw Creek Park will change to Wanatee Park. The park in Marion was originally named in 1964.

The conservation board says in a news release that because the word “squaw” is offensive, it decided to remove its use in public buildings and spaces. The new name honors Jean Adeline Morgan Wanatee, who died in 1996. She was was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s wineries are trying to hold on from the pandemic that’s dealt a double hit to their business. Iowa Wine Growers Association, marketing director, Nicole Eilers says it is a business tailored to public interaction. “They had to shift their whole business plan from bringing people into the tasting rooms and giving them the experience that Iowa wine is kind of known for,” Eilers says, “to how do we survive, how do we get the product in their hands when we are not supposed to be around people — so it has been really tough.”

Sales of wine and liquor have been up during the pandemic — but Eilers says local wineries aren’t gaining from that trend. “It’s just getting the product into consumers’ hands, that’s the tricky part. Because most wineries in Iowa — if not all — self distribute,” she says. The second hit to the wineries has been a loss of the added features they provide customers not directly related to selling wine. “Most of them are also functioning event venues. so a lot of them have spaces for weddings and private events. They do live music, all sorts of things,” according to Eilers. “And so,with COVID and a lot of the mandates in place, that has really taken a toll on businesses. Because that really sort of helps offset the decreased wine sales.”

Eilers says some may not be able to stay open. “I haven’t really heard of any wineries for sure closing down due to COVID specifically — but I anticipate that most likely that will be the case for some,” Eilers says.  Eilers says they have a report that comes out at the end of the year that details sales and that will give a better idea of where the industry stands.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reminds area residents, that “As September ends, “Grow Another Row, Cass County!” is wrapping up, but Cass County pantries continue to welcome donations.”

“Grow Another Row, Cass County,” a Healthy Cass County campaign by a group of local growers to encourage residents to grow and share more food in 2020, saw success this summer. Many people helped Grow Another Row have a good year. The planning committee thanks everyone who contributed. While gardens are winding down with the cooler weather, Cass County food pantries continue to welcome donations.

Local pantries continue to see increasing numbers, and appreciate both food and monetary donations. See below for specific information on how to support Cass County food pantries this fall. Cass County Food Pantry Information:

Anita Food Pantry: Phone: (712) 762-3645 Address: 208 Chestnut St, Anita, IA 50020 Hours: 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9:00am – 11:00am Produce donations: Tracey Lett (712)249-4996 Monetary donations: mail checks to “Anita Food Pantry” (PO Box 96, Anita, IA 50020)

Atlantic Food Pantry: Address: 19 W. 4th St., Atlantic, IA 50022 Hours: Thurs., drive-through 1:00pm – 2:00pm (closes at 3:00 PM) Produce Donations: Pre-bagged produce requested. Contact: (712)243-1820 Monetary Donations: mail checks to “Atlantic Food Pantry” (19 W 4th Street. Atlantic, IA 50022)

Cumberland Care & Share Pantry: Phone: (712) 774-5818 Address: 317 Monroe St, Cumberland, IA 50843 Hours: 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 4:00pm- 5:30pm Produce Donations: contact (712) 774-5818 Monetary Donations: mail checks to “Cumberland Care & Share” (317 Monroe St, Cumberland, IA 50843)

Lord’s Cupboard of Griswold: Phone: (712) 778-4178 Address: 100 Cass St., Griswold, IA 51535 Hours: 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 11:00am – 2:00pm Produce Donations: contact (712) 778-4178 Monetary Donations: mail checks to “The Lord’s Cupboard” (55546 Wichita Rd. Griswold, IA 51535)

Cass County COVID-19 Mobile Food For All: Cass County COVID-19 Mobile Food For All will continue to accept produce donations through October. Donations can be dropped at the back of Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022) Mondays between 10:00am – 11:00am.; Produce Donations: contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh (712)249-5870 or hoeghb2@iastate.edu.

For information on Cass County food pantries, farmers markets, and other locally-driven food initiatives, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council on Facebook @CassCountyLocalFood.

BEIJING (AP) — The departing U.S. ambassador in Beijing is defending a tough approach to China that has riled relations between the world’s two largest economies. Terry Branstad says the Trump administration has made progress on trade and that he hopes it will extend to other areas including China’s treatment of diplomats and journalists. Branstad downplays the strained relationship, noting it has weathered ups and downs in the past. He concedes, though, that there is concern that pressure on China could lead to a downward spiral of growing restrictions.

U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad speaks during an interview at the U.S. embassy in Beijing on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. The departing U.S. ambassador on Tuesday defended a tough approach to China that has riled relations between the world’s two largest economies, saying the Trump administration has made progress on trade and that he hopes it will extend to other areas. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

The longtime former Iowa governor is returning to Iowa this weekend after three years and three months as ambassador. No successor has been named.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa farmers had nearly seven days suitable for fieldwork last week and made the most of it. The U-S-D-A reports says 12 percent of the corn has been harvested — up from four percent — and almost three weeks ahead of last year and nine days ahead of average. The soybean harvest was at 30 percent complete — up from seven percent last week. The bean harvest is 19 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of average.

It is the largest percentage of soybeans and corn harvested by September 27th since 2012 when 48 percent of the corn and 41 percent of soybeans been harvested. Farmers in the northwest and west-central Iowa continue to lead the way with almost half of their soybean acreage harvested.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman reports a ban on open burning went into effect 5-p.m. Monday (Sept. 28th). The BURN BAN means all open and controlled burning in Montgomery County is prohibited unless an official burn ban permit has been issued by the proper fire chief.

Hamman says the current drought conditions throughout the county in combination with unharvested crops present an increased risk for the potential of rapid fire spread. Controlled fires can quickly become uncontrollable and pose an immediate risk to the life and safety of our residents. Montgomery County is currently listed in Severe drought conditions (D2) in the northern part of the county and in Moderate Drought conditions(D1)throughout the rest.

More information on current drought conditions can be found at https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/iowa. Citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set-asides or other items during this ban.

Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban.

The Mills County Emergency Management Agency reports a BURN BAN will be placed into effect beginning today (Monday), at 4-p.m.  The proclamation was issued after receiving reports from all fire districts within Mills County. Conditions within Mills County are such that open burning presents a danger to life or property. The burn ban will be in place until such time that the conditions dangerous to life or property no longer exists.

Residents wishing to conduct a prescribed burn must obtain written approval from their fire chief prior to conducting a burn. If the fire chief gives approval for a prescribed burn, residents must then contact the Mills County Communications Center at the start and completion of the burn. The Mills County Communication Center may be reached by calling (712) 527-4871.

Residents failing to obtain the proper authorization may be subject to a criminal charge under Iowa Code §100.40(2). This does not include the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal,concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch