by Maureen Reeves Horsley
Hope your fall and early winter pheasant and deer hunting season was a good one! Although an “after Christmas” thaw made fishing slushy and potentially risky – here’s hopes you have had some fresh fish in the pan. AND it is not over yet!!
Do NOT forget safety. Our area had some rescues which could have been tragic. CHECK THE ICE thickness and avoid using ATV or snowmobiles unless NEW clear strong ice is at LEAST 5-7 inches thick. It is best to have a partner and remember alcohol dulls your judgement. Wear a life vest under your winter gear and carry ice picks. Be careful and stay alive to fish another day.
Many lake areas offer fishing contests. Check web sites as yellow bass tournaments are fun and springing up around NW Iowa.
Clay County Conservation (Spencer) in cooperation with the Iowa DNR has TROUT release every October and February 1st, this year at Scharnberg Park, Everly.
This is a fun family event to watch the truck tanks of nice sized “keeper trout” water wash down the shoots into the lake…and YOU try to CATCH them yet that day!! The DNR always places a few really BIG TROUT in – just for those LUCKY anglers and to make a hopeful challenge! Dress for the weather, get your licenses at one of your favorite bait and outdoor supplier shops (we love the regular fishing contests and supplies at Bobber Down in Ruthven) and GO FISHING!
Remember, trout are great eating and fun to catch out of the pond in the winter months to come. So, when the ice is melted, but warm temperatures have NOT yet truly arrived – you can still angle off shore. Fish LEGALLY- have licenses and stamps. Your purchase helps support outdoor parks, natural places and ponds, lakes and river activities ALL YEAR for Iowa. (As well as local businesses that survive on your purchases.)
I was blessed again to register and attend CLAY County’s Pheasants Forever – Third Annual “Ladies Fall Pheasant Hunt” held south of Spencer, Iowa. What a royal opportunity to share experiences with ladies from teens to 70’s! We were treated to gourmet coffee and how does steak and wine luncheon sound?Hunting with Pheasant’s Forever members and their dogs through mowed strips of prairie grass fields – we had success!! We got five pheasants in the bag!
We learned firearm safety, experienced clay pigeon practice and after the hunt – pistol shooting and crossbow were taught. I had never shot a cross bow! Great new experiences and exposure. Yep, they even had door prizes! Interested? Contact Clay County Pheasants Forever for information or advice on attending next fall or starting a Ladies Hunt in your area!
There have been WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS programs in NW Iowa as well. These are a single weekend day focused on all kinds of outdoor activities from shooting to kayaking to outdoor kettle cooking. These are sponsored by National Wildlife Turkey Federation chapters. Fortunately, I have attended a couple of these and enjoyed archery, making Native American crafts and canoeing among other experiences.
NWTF has banquets soon in Milford, Sioux City, and Carroll.
North West Iowa has something for everyone this time of the year. Whether county activities, Nature center visits, Cabin Fever events, or Great Lakes Okoboji Winter fun – make certain you take advantage of “no mosquito” season and visit our great outdoors!
With the nice dusting of powdered snow, check out some snow shoes, or cross country skiing or just go for an outdoor walk!
Kids bored?
I have learned some of the Nature Centers (Emmet County- deposit required) can loan snowshoes so you can enjoy snow shoes over the weekend and return them on Monday. Talk about a family excursion with out the huge expense of purchasing snow shoes for all the kids! And right in your county – or your back yard!
BE CERTAIN TO CALL AHEAD to arrange sizes, pickup and a short lesson. Thanks to Directors and Naturalists for commitments to teach and encourage outdoor experiences!
The Dickenson County Nature Center has a newly expanded exhibit on Bees and pollinators. They are now open year around every Saturday as well.
The Lost Island Nature Center ( Palo Alto County, Ruthven) shares sky night watches and Junior Naturalist programs.
O’Brien County Prairie Heritage Nature Center (Peterson) has great viewing for EAGLES and home to bison. They are offering WINTER LIBRARY programs on animal adaptations after school for children and families.
Check out web sites, call and take a Saturday afternoon, bundle up the family and hike trails or snow down some hills at a county park! There is no reason to BE BORED!
Our winter “dates” often include attending suppers sponsored by nature and conservation minded organizations. Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, White Tails, and others have fundraisers which return the money into investments in our great Iowa Outdoors. Your support goes to good causes.
This morning, I enjoyed a shy, single EASTERN TURKEY hen scratching under our evergreens and our bird feeders. She was fun to watch and “strut walked” away when caught glimpse of my quiet movement. Last week, a white tail doe cleaned out our warmed water pan and devoured our platform pan of seeds. Around dusk, almost every night – a pair of cardinals visit and feed from our platform feeder. They have become reliable friends. Yesterday we had SIX raucous bluejays scare the little wine dipped house finches, chickadees and woodies away with quite a commotion! I heard them from the kitchen!
May you and your’s find smiles in the simple winter beauty of our NW Iowa Nature. May you take part in our Creator’s beautiful outdoors and our hardy animals and birds. I am anticipating joyful spring and butterflies and kayaking in a few months!
“Find something beautiful in the outdoors EVERY day.”
Maureen Reeves Horsley… lives on the south shore of Lost Island Lake with husband, Joel and loves nature and the changes of the Iowa seasons.
