Iowa Sportsman - Sportsmen's Nation

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan gets in an in-depth conversation with returning guest and deer nut Tom Peplinski. Dan and Tom discuss everything from specific dates to take off of work as well as if you can really pinpoint the exact dates the property you hunt will be on fire. As you will hear they both have their own opinions abotut he matter but their's one this they both agree on, and it's that the run is a crazy time of year!

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast we step away from hunting and fishing for a moment to talk about the natural history of Iowa, specifically the people who were here before us. Dan talks with Albert LeBeau the Cultural Resource Program Manager of the Effigy Mounds National Monument in northeast Iowa. Albert goes in to historical detail about the Native American mound builders who were in the ares 2000 years ago. Albert talks about what it was like to live a day in the life of "The People". They talk about how they would hunt and fish for food, what their community was like, and how they survived on a yearly basis. They finish up the episode by discussing the history of the monument itself, when the park was establish, the trails, and the visitor center. The next time you are ever in northeast Iowa we strongly recommend you stop by Effigy Mounds National Monument and experience it first hand.

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan talks with Ben Leal about the fundamentals of shooting your bow for the best accuracy. The guys discuss topics like your stance, how you should grip your bow, the draw cycle, anchor points, the aiming process, and the release.

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan talks with Joel Johnson about how you as a hunter should represent the hunting community as a whole. The guys talk about all the negative impactions a single individual or group of people can have on the hunting community when spreading false information and rumors on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and other hunting forums. Joel suggests that we as hunters have a responsability to present the best possible image we can as huntign as a whole in order to maintain our traditions and heritage.

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan talks with returning guest Noel Gandy about summer deer patterns. The two discuss their opinions on what impact a trail camera picture or a sighting from your truck in July or August means come the fall hunting season. Noel also shares what he is doing this time of year to prepare for the season via scouting and glassing bean fields.

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman, Dan talks with fishing expert Todd Reed about strategy and tactics you can use to catch smallmouth bass in warm weather. Todd starts off the podcast by explaining what the fish are doing this time of year and where to find them. He tells us that smallmouth love living in heavy current and due to the warm temperatures are more likely to bite. Todd also breaks down his ideas on lure selection and presentation on a fish that is said to be pretty picky. But, once you find the right bait, smallies offer some of the best fishing in North America.

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan is joined by returning guest Dan Turner to discuss how to choose the right reel for your fishing needs. Dan talks about the different types of reels that are avaiable on the market and provides different examples and scenarios on when to use them based on budget and what species you are fishing for. Dan also shares the details on different lines to use with those specific reels and what rods you should think about paring them with. If you are relatively new to fishing, this episode just might be the education you need to make the right decision when purchasing your next reel.

On this episode, Dan talks with returning guest Jessic Graham of southern Iowa about 5 different projects you can apply to your property to improve the wildlife. Jessica explains that sometimes it's can be as simple as a kiddie pool full of water to help the animals make it through a dry summer or as complex and building a water source like a pond for year-round consumption. Jessica also talks about different species of oak trees that mature faster than your more well know oaks, wind breaks, mock scrapes, and lastly themal cover during the cold winter months. If you are new to habitat management, this is the perfect podcast for you.

There are times when we all find a little luck when hunting and walk out of the woods successful. Then, there are times when we walk out of the woods defeated and frustrated with mother nature showing us why certain species of animals have survived as long as they have. In this episode, Dan talks with Joel Johnson about some of the hardest animals to hunt is the state of Iowa. The guys quickly discuss what makes a specific animal hard to hunt. They then get in to the details talking about animals like Hungarian Partridge, Wild Turkey and of course Whitetails.

There's something about fishing that makes the best memories, especially when you those memories are made with the once you love. On this episode, Dan catches up returning guest Steve Weisman to talk about all thing fishing. Steve talks about how his father taught him how to fish, how he taught his son how to fish, and how he has seen his grandchildren share the same passion for the sport as well. Steve also relives several fishing stories with us, shares his favorite fish to catch, and the process he uses to find new fishing locations. This podcast is a perfect example of why fishing can be such a great outdoor activity. If you love fishing this is episode is for you.

On this episode, Dan talks with Dan Rosauer, a Biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, to discuss the Manchester Fish Hatchery. Dan talks about the history of the fish hatchery, shares insight about how the hatchery works as well as where the fish get distributed once it's time for them to leave their hatchery. If you are interested in the inner workings of the Iowa DNR, this will be a very informative podcast you will not doubt enjoy. "Since 1976, it has functioned as Iowa’s trout brood stock station where trout are spawned, incubated and hatched each year to produce over 600,000 fish for stocking in Iowa waters." - Iowa DNR Website Station activities include: Spawning, incubating and hatching of rainbow, brook and brown trout. Raise and supply fingerling trout of all species to both Big Spring and Decorah hatcheries. Raise fingerling trout of all species for the put-and-grow stocking program. Raise and stock catchable size rainbow and brook trout for Iowa’s stream and urban put-an

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan is joined by kayak fishing enthusiast Spencer Bauer to discuss the ins and outs of fishing from a kayak. Spencer share the story of how he was introduced to the sport and how he instantly fell in love with it. He shares with us the the different varieties of kayaks that are available the types that might be sufficient for use on the rivers and lakes in Iowa. Did you know that fishing from a kayak is one of the fastest growing forms of fishing that are becoming more popular today. He then talks with us about how he uses the kayak from a fishing strategy stand point and what his favorite species of fish to catch are. Hint, it's catfish. If you have ever wondered what it would like to fish out of a kayak, this is the perfect episode for you!

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan is joined by returning guest Tom Peplinski to discuss their yearly trail camera strategy. First, the guys talk about what time of year they put up their cameras and the reasons why. Second, they share their theories on where to place their trial cameras, how often they check them, and when to move those cameras depending on what the pictures are telling them. The second half of the podcast Dan and Tom discuss how they actually use the information gained from those cameras and how it affects the actual locations they focus on hunting throughout the year. Whether you use trail cameras or not, this episode has a ton of great information pertaining to the impact trailcameras how on hunting and hunting strategy.

On this episode of the Iowa Sportsman podcast, Dan talks with Ben Leal about fishing for walleye in the lakes and rivers of Iowa, specifically in windy conditions. Ben talks about the details as to where the fish will be located and what they will be doing on days where the wind is prevalent. He also discusses what baits to use and how to present that bait for the optimal bite. If you have ever struggled to catch fish in windy conditions, this episode is packed full of information that will help you gain the edge.

On this episode, Dan talks with Steve Weisman about the resent Walleye Weekend held throughout the Iowa Great Lakes. Steve talks about the 37 year history of the event as well as the tournament results, including the biggest stringers for pan fish, bullheads, northerns and bass. They also discuss other activities that happen during the weekend and touch on activities like camping, hiking, and biking around the lakes. Then, Steve shares some recent walleye gill netting results from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This process is used to collect fish, extract the eggs from the females and fertilize them. Once the eggs are fertilized and the fish have hatched, they are released in different bodies of water throughout Iowa.

On this episode, Dan talks with seasoned food plot planter Tom Peplinski. Tom gets in to all the details of how and where he put the food plots. The guys start off discussing why the location of a food plot is very important as well as the hunting strategy when accessing tree stands and ground blinds when hunting over these food sources. Tom talks about why he plants smaller food plots in between bedding areas and the destination food source to manipulate deer movement for day light activity. He then gets in to detail about the shape of the smaller food plots, the seeds he plants, and other construction information. Then, Tom talks about destination food plots. Typically corn or soybeans, and typically only hunting them during the late season, he talks about how he fences off half of the field to save the food source for the winter months. If you are struggling with getting your plots established then this is a must listen podcast.

On this episode, Jessica Graham shares with us 10 different food plot myths pertaining to deer hunting. She discussed the cost of establishing a food plot, what species to plant, the equipment necessary, where to plant those food plots, and size of the food plot.

On this episode, Dan talks with Todd Reed about the details of catching spring time bass. Now that all the ice is gone we can get the boat back on the water and start locating these hungry fish. Todd shares with us what baits he is using in a variety of scenarios including rivers, lakes, and farm ponds. Then Todd gives us an in-depth look as to what the fish are doing this time of year given a variety of water temperatures, and how those temps affect if the fish are biting or not. This time of year it's all about location, you may have to put in a little extra effort if needing the fish and throwing a variety of baits, but once you find the right combination the fishing could be very good.

On this episode, we are joined by returning guest Dan Turner to talk about all the different wild mushrooms you can find in the woods this spring. We talk about the ideal weather conditions like temperature and sunlight, as well as specific locations that mushrooms grow. We discuss the difference between a shelf mushroom and a mushroom with a stem. Although morel mushrooms are the most popular in the midwest, Dan says there are several other species that taste just as good and are just as easy to find. If you love collecting your own food, this is the podcast for you!

On this episode, Dan chats with real estate agent Ben Harshyne of Whitetail Properties about the information you need to know when buying hunting property. Ben takes us through a step by step process that includes: Getting approved for a loan. Figuring out your budget. Contacting a real estate agent. What kind of land do you want to buy. Government funded land programs. Making money off the property once you purchase it. If you are looking to become a land owner some day, all the information you need is in this podcast.