Outdoor Connection 68

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UTDOOR CONNECTION

OCTOBER 2016 ESTHERVILLE NEWS Find this publication online at www.esthervillenews.net under ʻSectionsʼ

STORIES, ADVICE AND INFORMATION FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS

PHEASANTS, PHEASANTS, PHEASANTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

2

A closer look at Iowa’s pheasant numbers A few weeks back, I pub‐ lished the summary for the upcoming pheasant season based on the DNR’s annual August roadside count.

Let’s break that down and see what factors play into this roadside count. First off, to keep data consistent from year to year, the 215 routes are kept pretty much the same, and the goal is to complete a route on a morning where there is heavy dew. Of course, if it is a dry year, then there is less dew, and the counts may be less accurate than during wetter years. At the same time, foggy condi‐ tions can have an adverse affect on the count versus clear skies. So, there are always some variables in each count.

With the 2016 data col‐ lected and compiled, the statewide index is 20.7 birds per route, which is down slightly from 2015’s 23.9 average. It is still above the 10‐year average, but that is a little mislead‐ ing because 2011, 2012 and 2013 years showed 6.6, 7.8 and 6.5 birds per route, respectively. In 2007 and

STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR

2008 (the first two years of the 10‐year average) the state average was 25.8 and 17.5 birds per route. The 10‐ year statewide average is 15.1 birds per route, while the long term average over the past 53 years of stan‐ dardized roadside counts is 39.6, so we’re a long ways away from that long‐term average.

Based on the statewide index of 21 birds per route, the DNR estimate that Iowa’s pheasant hunters should harvest between 300,000‐400,000 roosters this fall.

A frustrating statistic for pheasant hunters is that in 2015, Iowa had 2.72 million acres of pheasant habitat, the lowest recorded level of habitat in Iowa since reli‐

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Northwest Region As usual, the northwest region had the highest count average at 33 birds per route. Better counts came in Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, Osceola, Palo Alto and Pocahontas coun‐ ties. However, that average was down from 42.4 birds per route in 2015, but it is still above the 10‐year aver‐ age of 30.2 birds. Once again, this is somewhat misleading because 2011‐ 2013 had counts of 11.1, 16.3 and 14.3, while the years 2007 and 2008 had 41.3 and 49.4 birds.

For the past 20 years, the northwest region has pret‐ ty much led the state in the average number of birds per route. The reason? In the 1990s it was the growth of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the number of state managed wildlife areas. As the acres in CRP have dropped, so has the amount of upland habitat, and the pheasant numbers have dwindled. Without these public lands, the pheasant numbers would be even further decimated.

So, if people live around or hunt those state lands or a private CRP tract, they often say, “We saw way more birds than the survey showed.” At the same time, those who hunt areas where there are only road ditches, cropland and a few waterways will often say, “We saw very few birds. I don’t know where they get their numbers.” The bot‐ tom line is habitat makes a huge difference.

Finally, of course there is Mother Nature. Too much snow, a huge multi‐day blizzard, a crust on the snow so the birds can’t get to the food, intense cold

and wind and a late win‐ ter/early spring heavy snow can all greatly impact the pheasant population.

At the same time, heavy rains in the spring and early summer can destroy nests and kill baby chicks, and sometimes kill the hen. Add in a bad hailstorm, and a local population can be decimated. Sometimes, these weather events are just in certain areas or maybe even just a few mile radius…at other times, an entire region can be hit or even the entire state.

So, the roadside counts become statistical averages and the addition or loss of habitat and huge weather events become a part of this statistical average.

In the end, we know that Mother Nature is going to do her thing. At times, the yearly weather conditions are mild and the pheasant population responds posi‐ tively. At other times, severe weather hits and the pheasant population drops. The real answer to a consistently strong pheas‐ ant population is habitat that provides good nesting cover and protection dur‐ ing the winter. As the 2016 report concludes, it will be very hard to recover Iowa pheasant numbers any fur‐ ther if significant CRP or other habitat losses contin‐ ue.

Habitat issues Here is a little more about habitat losses, the 2014 farm bill and habitat options that were pub‐ lished in the roadside report under the heading “Upland Habitat Trends in Iowa.” Information from the USDA shows that between 1990 and 2015, Iowa lost 2,984 miles of potential pheasant habitat.

This habitat was a mix of small grains, hay land and

A sight pheasant hunters love to see! A nice brood of pheasants atop hay bales to get out of the morning dew.

Photo submitted

CRP acres. To put this loss in perspective, 2984 miles is a strip of habitat 10 miles wide that would stretch from Omaha to Davenport.

Nationally, the 2014 Farm Bill reduced the CRP pro‐ gram from a 32 million acre program to a 24 million acre program. The USDA’s June report shows Iowa has 1,689, 015 acres enrolled with 214,997 acres expiring in September of 2017. Opportunities to enroll additional land into CRP in Iowa seem very lim‐ ited. However, Congress will begin discussion of the 2018 Farm Bill early next year, and hopefully there will be support in increase the acres cap.

Iowa does have two spe‐ cial continuous CRP prac‐ tices that are beneficial to all upland game. Iowa has requested for addition CRP acres in both practices.

Interested landowners can visit www.iowadnr.gov/habitat for more information about

CP38.

In addition, the DNR was awarded a $3 million grant from the USDA to expand the state’s walk‐in hunting program, Iowa Habitat and Access Program. This pro‐ gram helps landowners plant CRP where the DNR has provided incentives to manage habitat for landowners in exchange for public hunting access. A total of 25,000 acres have been enrolled into this pro‐ gram. To learn more about this program, visit http://www.iowadnr.gov/ih ap.

It really comes down to priorities and decisions. As Iowans, what do we want our landscape to look like?

As landowners, are there ways to have the best of both worlds: corn and soy‐ bean fields mixed in with upland habitat (tall grass prairies) on the land that is more erodible or more sus‐ ceptible to lowland flood‐ ing and replanting? It’s up to us!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS CONNECTED

BY STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR

I

n mid�August, I had the opportunity to attend the Prairie Lakes Conference. It was one of the most interesting and educational conferences I have attended and addressed all areas of water quality. One of the threads that came through was a statement taken from con� ference summary. “Everything in the world is connected, and a vibrant example of that is where prairie and lakes meet. A mutual admiration society, these two ecosystems affect each other and depend on each other.

The conference was really a Who’s Who in conserva� tion and water quality. Over the next several months, I will share what I learned from these experts. One of the overlying themes was that each of us – all of us – can and need to have a posi� tive impact in the fight to preserve and protect the land and water.

David Thoreson, renowned photographer, adventurer and owner of Blue Water Studios in Arnolds Park, was the keynote speaker and really set the tone for the entire conference. He has been all over the world, and his life has really been one huge exploration and dis� covery. He is the only American explorer in history to sail the Arctic’s Northwest Passage in both directions.

He first tried sailing the Passage in 1994 but couldn’t make it through because of dense sea ice. Then in 2007, he tried again, and this time, Thoreson was shocked by what he found: little to no ice blocking a successful 7000�mile transit. That was a life�changing experience for him. During his trip, he was

the Americas, it all comes back to us here in northwest Iowa. We are truly pieces of a gigantic puzzle we call earth, and there is definitely a lot we need to do to improve the environment around us, mainly agricultur� al and urban land practices.

Thoreson reflected, “We are where we are because of what we have done. We are also capable of changing and improving the way we use our land.� According to Thoreson, right here in Iowa we have a golden opportuni� ty to protect and enhance water quality and natural areas throughout the state, and Iowa’s taxpayers already voted overwhelm� ingly back in November of 2010 to amend the Iowa Constitution to create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund.

All that needs to be done now is to provide the 3/8 of one cent to provide the A Photo submitted money needed. Thoreson able to witness the incredi� actually causing new issues. encourages Iowans to sup� port Iowa’s Water & Legacy ble changes occurring in our “We must be responsible. oceans and the threats that Connections begin with one� (IWILL), a diverse group of organizations, agencies and are occurring to the marine on�one conversations and individuals as it works environment and the sur� then can lead to a ground rounding lands. Then in swell around the world and together in coalition to fund the amendment.

2009�10, Thoreson sailed on here in Iowa.�

As Susan Heathcote of the a journey “Around the At the same time, Iowa Environmental Council Americas� to study what Thoreson challenged us to was happening in the “Think outside the box. We noted at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival’s Clean Water oceans around our two con� can wait no longer. We are Panel (August 13), “In Iowa, tinents. For Thoreson, this where we are because of we have to work together 28,000�mile voyage has what we have done to our since gone from an environ� natural water systems.� He to solve this problem. It mental sailing adventure to then finished that idea on a comes from all of us�farm� ers, rural, urban, individuals documentary films, new positive note. “We are also and businesses. We all need books and a traveling, inter� capable of changing and active exhibit with Thoreson improving our harmful prac� to address the problem and presenting to groups about tices. However, we need to also address the solution.�

In other words, we need to his adventures. have all entities come to the In the middle of all of the table for positive change to look at the big picture and get a return for our invest� immense beauty, Thoreson occur.� ment – clean water! The could see what was happen�

In reality, it was a call to ing‌ One of his key state� action. Instead of just talking speakers at the Prairie Lakes Conference gave us many ments was this: �We are lov� about water quality, ing our water systems to Thoreson encouraged us to ways in which we can do death.� In other words, as take positive action. All the this. I will share more in future articles. more and more people are way from the Northwest drawn to the water, we are Passage and a trip around

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ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

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10 top destinations for trout fishing this fall D ES MOINES - Start a new fall tradition with a trip to northeast Iowaʼs hundreds of miles of trout streams. From easily accessible streams in state or county parks, to those found in Iowaʼs most wild and remote natural spaces, there are plenty of places to catch rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Admire the vibrant fall scenery while testing your trout fishing skills at one of these destinations suggested by DNR fisheries biologists. n Brush Creek, Fayette County – located in Brush Creek Canyon State Preserve near Arlington; a steep narrow path through the forest leads you to the stream. Catch stream-reared brown trout up to 17 inches. Stream access gets better after the first frost. Bring along a variety of minnow, creek chub or crawdad imitation lures or flies. n Ensign Hollow, Clayton County – abundant wild brown trout with 10-13 inch fish common at the Ensign Hollow Wildlife

Management Area. Access along shorelines improves in the fall after frost. Trout are usually near bank habitat. Use spinners, jigs or flies in patterns that mimic minnows, hoppers or caddis. n Little Paint Creek, Allamakee County – find wild brook trout up to 11 inches in the upstream end of Little Paint Creek nestled in the Yellow River State Forest. The narrow valley of Little Paint offers some of the best fall colors.

Rainbow and brook trout are stocked weekly through October.

Look for trout behind larger boulders and under rock ledges; let your lure or bait drift around the boulders and just in front of the ledges. n Maquoketa River, Clayton and Delaware County – miles of public access for stream-reared brown trout and stocked rainbow trout.

Catch 10-12 inch rainbows as well as some browns up to 16 inches.

Look for rainbows in pools and runs; brown trout will be near wood habitat. Try long casts with spinners, spoons and swim baits

to search for active fish and cover lots of water. n Mill Creek, Jackson County – catch wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout on Mill Creek and wild browns at South Fork Mill Creek, located in the Big Mill Wildlife Area west of Bellevue.

Use spinners, jigs and live bait.

Work from downstream to upstream with long casts for the best chances at catching “shy” trout. Most trout here are 8-13 inches. n Sny Magill Creek, Clayton County – abundant wild brown trout with 12-14 inch fish common along with stocked rainbow and brook trout. Several access points are available along this 7.5 mile stretch of coldwater. Lots of habitat work has been done along this stream corridor enhancing the plethora of deeper holes and long runs. Try a flashy spinner or a worm on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes. n South Pine Creek, Winneshiek County – find Iowaʼs native brook trout here. Be prepared to walk

Preserve and Campground near the attractions and convenience provided by the City of Dubuque. A well-developed trail provides fishing access into an area known for fall beauty. Fish large pools and along bank hides with nightcrawlers, plastics, spinners and jigs. Most trout here are 8-13 inch with opportunities to catch a few large (16 inch) browns. n Turtle Creek, Mitchell County – this 3 mile gem with deep holes and long riffles is reminiscent of a stream once found in the rolling prairies. Itʼs open landscape and low banks make it fairly easy to access. Rainbow and brook trout are stocked weekly through October. Catch wild brown trout up to 16 inches. Use terrestrial insects such as hoppers and crickets.

Bring the whole family and stop by the Decorah Fish Hatchery to view the thousands of trout raised here for stocking in area streams.

Keep up to date with weekly stocking information on the 24-hour trout stocking hotline at 563-9275736.

The Season Is Here

Best wishes for a safe and successful harvest season!

Curt Smith

1.5 miles along a mowed path passing oak forests and upland prairies. The water is clear and the stream is very narrow, so be ready to sneak up on these fish. Bait cannot be used here; try terrestrial patterns such as ants, hoppers, crickets and small mayfly and midges. All brook trout must be immediately released alive. n Spring Branch Creek, Delaware County – one of the best opportunities in Iowa to catch a “trout trifecta” (brook, brown and rainbow trout) in a single trip. Bait is not allowed here; fish feed on a variety of insects including caddis, mayflies and midges. Small patterns (size 16 and smaller) are the standard, but larger flies including hoppers and streamers are good fall choices. A favorite destination among fly fishers with its good insect hatches and great public access to more than 1.5 miles of coldwater stream. n Swiss Valley, Dubuque County – catch stream-reared browns as well as stocked rainbows at Catfish Creek in Swiss Valley

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

OUTDOOR EDITOR

I

n another article in this edition of the Outdoor Connection, we took a closer look at pheasant numbers and what our pheasant season might be here in northwest Iowa. Pheasants Forever puts together a 2016 Pheasant Hunting Forecast for all of the states.

Here is what their report has to say…

Good news nationwide Good news for the upland bird hunter and his or her bird dog. As a whole, pheasant numbers nationwide are comparable to or higher than last year.

Midwest Pheasant populations continue to rebuild in the aftermath of a decade of historic habitat loss and a severe multiyear drought that gripped the Great Plains. The traditional top-tier of states – Kansas, North Dakota and the mighty “Pheasant Capital” of South Dakota – will again offer the highest density of ringnecks. Pheasant numbers in Colorado and Minnesota are up noticeably. And while official counts in Iowa and Nebraska dipped ever so slightly, summer survey conditions were poor, leading game managers to speculate that bird numbers could be underestimated.

Continued growth in pheasant populations in the years ahead will hinge largely on whether high-quality upland habitat can be added back to pheasant country.

That means a higher Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) cap combined with the continued efforts of Pheasants Forever chapters and conservation partners. It means your membership and volunteer support of Pheasants Forever has never been more important.

Letʼs take a look at the surrounding states where Iowanʼs might go for some out-of-state hunting experiences.

Kansas – November 12 through January 31, 2017 –bag limit: 4 Forecast: Favorable spring rain produced good nesting and brood cover through much of Kansas. The result should be pheasant hunting every bit as good as last yearʼs—and better than the 10- and 20-year averages, says Jeffrey Prendergast, small game specialist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

The so-called northern high plains and southern high plains should both provide good hunting this year. “Southwest has had major improvements in the last year and should have good hunting opportunities throughout,” says Prendergast.

Improved production in the northwest should provide better opportunities than last year, but densities aren't as consis-

Steve Weisman, outdoor editor for the Outdoor Connection, displays a limit of pheasants taken last fall.

Photo submitted

tent as in the southwest.”

Field Notes: “We are in year one of a five-year pheasant initiative concentrating habitat efforts in two focus areas to improve populations in these areas and identify best management practices for expansion of the program to new areas,” says Prendergast. The two focus areas include portions of Norton County and Mitchell and Osborne counties. Both include public wildlife areas.

Minnesota – October 15 through January 1, 2017 – bag limit: 2 changes to 3 in December Forecast: Minnesota pheasant hunters can anticipate better pheasant hunting than they experienced last year.

The stateʼs August roadside survey index increased 29 percent statewide over last year. Despite an increase during each of the last three years, the pheasant index for 2016 remains 14 percent below the 10-year average and 48 percent below the long-term average.

The index is based on game sightings over 172 25-mile routes (151 routes in what is considered pheasant range).

Southwestern Minnesota, as usual, produced the most sightings of pheasants. The number of birds sighted was 25 percent higher than last year. The

biggest improvements in the number of sightings occurred in the central region (72 percent), south-central (70 percent), and east-central (27 percent). In the southeast the index dropped 31 percent compared with last year.

Field Notes: “For the first time since 2011, total acres of undisturbed grassland habitat increased across Minnesotaʼs farmland region,” says Davros. The gains included more than 37,000 acres of CRP in pheasant range.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas and National Wildlife Refuges increased by more than 7,300 acres. State Wildlife Management Areas increased by more than 11,600 acres.

Net habitat gains in pheasant range totaled more than 61,000 acres.

South Dakota – October 15 through January 1, 2017 - Bag Limit: 3 Forecast: When it comes to pheasants, South Dakota sets the bar high. So even though numbers are lower than last year, hunters will still find plenty of birds. The annual pheasant brood survey showed a 20 percent decrease in the statewide pheasants-per-mile index—3.05 PPM, compared with 3.83 last year. Even so, the index for 2016 is twice as high as the 2013 index and significantly higher than the 2.7 PPM in 2014, when hunters shot 1.2 million roosters. “Good pheasant hunting opportunities will exist in 2016,” says Kelly Hepler, South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks secretary.

The decline in pheasant numbers was greatest in some of the stateʼs best pheasant areas, including Chamberlain (-18 percent), Winner (-18 percent), Aberdeen (-43 percent), Huron (-23 percent), Mitchell (-17 percent), Yankton (33 percent), and Sioux Falls (-28 percent).

Field Notes: “Habitat continues to be at the forefront of the conversation and still remains a crucial factor in pheasant numbers,” says Hepler. “Bird numbers are higher in parts of the state where quality habitat conditions still exist, primarily on grasslands including those enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, as well as fields of cereal crops such as winter wheat.”

What it means?

Each state, including Iowa, seems to have its ups and downs with the pheasant population. As in the past few years, there will be pockets of good hunting in each state, and other areas where hunting will be slow. It all comes down to good nesting and winter cover combined with a little help from Mother Nature! For more information on the state-by-state forecast, go to the Pheasants Forever website (www.pheasantsforever.org).

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

6

WATERFOWL DECOYING TIPS

BY JIM CUNNINGHAM

W

aterfowl hunt‐ ing continues to evolve as decoys become more real‐ istic each season. While the waterfowl hunting experience of decoying birds may be thousands of years old dating back to the beginnings of man, the escalation of move‐ ment, realism and conceal‐ ment options continue to redefine decoy hunting for ducks and geese.

While equipment can greatly enhance the odds, the gear doesn’t necessari‐ ly define the hunt. Most ardent waterfowl hunters will agree that the right equipment combined with the right knowledge and experience gained in the marsh or field is the ulti‐ mate formula for success.

Perhaps nothing has changed field duck hunt‐ ing like spinning wing decoys over the last 15 years. Spinning wing decoys like the Lucky Duck HD continue to become more durable with better recharging systems and remotes that allow hunters to synchronize several decoys on one remote system. No more D batteries or wings that won’t last an entire sea‐ son. With that being said, in the eyes of ducks… all spinning wing decoys are equal if the wings are spin‐ ning fast enough to blur.

In the eyes of duck hunters however, having a spinning wing decoy that is both functional and rugged tops the list of importance. Lucky Duck Decoy Co. continues to raise the bar with motion decoys for duck hunters and introduced the Lucky Duck HD last season.

Hunters loved the simple remote system and

The author teams up with Jason Mitchell, who hosts the popular outdoor program Jason Mitchell Outdoors, which airs on Fox Sports North (9:00 am Sunday) and Fox Sports Midwest (9:30 am Saturday).

Mitchel spent many years as a waterfowl guide near Devils Lake, ND and also hosts Passion for the Hunt.

More information can be found online at www.jason‐ mitchelloutdoors.com. rugged magnetic wings on the Lucky Duck HD. Every feature from the bungee system on the base to the wing magnets seemed to be thought out by avid duck hunters who had a wish list.

Passion for the Hunt TV host Jason Mitchell spent many years as a waterfowl guide near Devils Lake.

Mitchell ads a few more tricks for using spinning wing decoys when field hunting. “I like to keep the stakes short so that the spinners are low to the ground mixed in with the field decoys just so you still get the good visi‐ bility but also don’t let the ducks get as good of a look at the spinner. On cloudy days, stretch some women’s nylons over the wings to subdue the flash.”

Spinning wing decoys can be critical for field hunting ducks at early light and are an important tool for so many duck hunters but… spinning wing decoys can also com‐ pletely turn off condi‐ tioned or stale ducks. As a general rule of thumb, hunters have better suc‐ cess with spinning wing decoys across the top half of the flyways.

More hunters across the bottom half of the flyway are starting to appreciate motion decoys however.

Ducks might be stale to spinning wing decoys by the time they reach Arkansas or Louisiana but

some other motion decoys can still be incredibly effective particularly over water spreads.

Motion over water is nothing new as hunters have used jerk cords to add some movement to decoy spreads for decades. There are some limitations however to jerk cords as you have to run a string from the blind to the decoy spread.

According to Ricky Hart of Lucky Duck Decoy Company and a regular on the Grind Waterfowl TV, motion decoys that swim, add ripples and splash that not only enhances the realism of the entire spread but can also pro‐ vide that flash of move‐ ment that catches the eyes of ducks, increasing the visibility of the spread.

“On calm days especially, just adding a couple of the Lucky Duck quiver magnet XLs to a dozen decoys can add a lot of movement causing the decoys to move, adding a ripple on the water, “ explains Hart.

The quiver magnet XL is a battery operated floating disk that vibrates adding motion on the water that moves floating decoys.

Using the Lucky Duck HD Dabbler can create a more aggressive and visible movement. This motion decoy not only swims but also throws up spray like a feeding puddle duck. This motion decoy can be used with the remote switches and also features a water

Lucky Duck HD jpg: Spinning wing decoys continue to get much more durable and rugged. The new Lucky Duck HD features a remote and magnetic wings that hunters love.

Photo submitted

activation switch.

Another trick is going heavy on Canada goose decoys to kill ducks.

Mallards in particular love to sit with Canada geese and the goose blocks are much larger and more visi‐ ble on the water.

Hunting mallards over Canada goose decoys also translates to the field.

“Besides the visibility and size of goose decoys, another advantage using goose decoys to hunt ducks is that the size and height of goose decoys makes hiding layout blinds in the field much easier because you can bunch the taller goose decoys around the blinds,” notes Mitchell.

Concealment and blinds also continue to improve each season. As ducks and geese become more condi‐ tioned to ground blinds that sit up from the ground with a high box shaped profile that can be very

obvious from a bird’s eye view, many hunters are starting to use a lower pro‐ file blind design that not only sits lower to the ground but eliminates any coffin or box type profile with a softer or flatter edge. Arctic Shield’s SpeedZ Ground Blind is getting rave reviews from waterfowl hunters because it is so easy to become invisible while field hunt‐ ing. This comfortable ground blind also features Arctic Shield’s coveted heat retention technology.

Mitchell stresses the importance of conceal‐ ment, “hiding hunters is usually more important than how you set the decoys. Spend the time getting covered up.”

Not all fields or locations however present a great situation for blending in so Mitchell offers these addi‐ tional tips. Use the sun to help hide your presence by

setting up blinds so that the birds are looking direct‐ ly into the sun when they look towards the blind if possible even if you have to side wind the decoys.

Use spinning wing decoys, motion decoys and flap‐ pers to pull the attention and focus of the birds away from your blind loca‐ tion.

Here is an additional piece of advice on picking the best locations for decoying ducks and geese.

The best decoys in the world won’t pull ducks or geese where they don’t want to be. When you scout, put in the time where you have an idea of where the birds are flying and what locations are being used. If you are set up in the same field or marsh that the ducks were planning on using whether you get up in the morning or not… you are on the right track.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

Habitat improvement at McIntosh State Park VENTURA — Forty goats are the new ecosystem managers at McIntosh Woods State Park on Clear Lake and they are taking their roles very seriously.

For six weeks they will clear targeted areas of woody invasive vegetation that is overpowering the native plants in the park.

“My staff and I have been cutting and treating invasive species for several years and not getting ahead of the problem,” says Tammy Domonoske, DNR park manager. “Our woodlands are sick and they need this prescription of grazing to regenerate a high‐quality woodland.”

The DNR has successfully used goats in land man‐ agement projects in other parts of the state, most notably on the steep slopes in northeast Iowa.

Domonoske recently strapped a camera to a goat she has named GoatPro to capture a goat's perspec‐ tive of their work. A segment of the video clip can be seen on the DNR Facebook page at facebook.com/iowadnr.

Goats on the Go, a targeted grazing company based in Ames, provided the herd that is calling McIntosh Woods home. For more information about goats and Goats on the Go visit www.GoatsOnTheGo.com.

The goats will be onsite until mid‐October. The public is welcome to stop by during park hours to see them at work.

ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

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STEWARDSHIP TIP: Warm up slowly warm it up much quicker and youʼll get bonus miles out of that gallon of gas that youʼve used driving.

As October wears on weʼll begin to Why it is important for the fish: see temperatures plummet, and by the Under the high pressure and tempera1st of November weʼll see lows in the ture conditions in an engine, nitrogen upper 20ʼs to mid 30ʼs. In Iowa, the and oxygen atoms in the air react to morning ritual will include a trip to the form various nitrogen oxides, collectivecar or truck to get it started and let it ly known as NOx. Nitrogen oxides, like warm up. hydrocarbons, contribute to the formaThere was a time when it was not tion of acid rain. uncommon to start the car, turn the The ecological effects of acid rain are defroster or heater on full, and let it run most clearly seen in aquatic environfor several minutes. Whatʼs the indicaments, such as streams, lakes, and tor of a warm car? The windows have marshes where it can be harmful to fish completely defrosted. and other wildlife. As it flows through An idle engine, though, gets zero the soil, acidic rain water can leach alumiles per gallon. Letting the car warm minum from soil clay particles and then up for long periods makes no sense financially nor does it make sense from flow into streams and lakes. The more acid that is introduced to the ecosysa conservation point of view. tem, the more aluminum is released.

Rather than letting your car or truck According to the EPA, progress is idle for several minutes, let it warm up for thirty seconds, and then start driving being made to reduce emissions and slowly. Drive slowly for several minutes the affect it has on acid rain, and ultimately wildlife. to let the engine warm up to operating The Acid Rain Program (ARP) and the temperature. Truthfully driving the car Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) proinstead of idling it in the driveway will grams significantly reduced annual SO₂

BY BEN LEAL

RECYCLED FISH PROGRAM DIRECTOR

and NOₓ emissions. These reductions occurred while electricity demand (measured as heat input) remained relatively stable, indicating that the reductions in emissions were not driven by decreased electric generation.

These emission reductions represent an overall increase in the environmental efficiency of these sources as power generators installed controls, ran their controls year round, switched to lower emitting fuels, or otherwise reduced their SO₂ and NOₓ emissions while meeting the relatively steady electricity demand. Most of the emission reductions since 2005 are from early reduction incentives and stricter emission cap levels under CAIR. Combined efforts by the utility companies as well as reducing the amount of time that our cars warm up in the morning, reduce emissions such as nitrogen oxides. This helps to reduce acid rain.

Ultimately, that helps our fish. Recycled Fish is an unofficial assembly of anglers living a Lifestyle of Stewardship both on and off the water, because "Our Lifestyle Runs Downstream".

CHOOSE YOUR FUN, CHOOSE YOUR BOAT, CHOOSE....

1907 18th St. Spirit Lake www.greatlakesmarineservice.biz

712-336-3822

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016

Walleyes when the sun goes down

ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA

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BY BOB JENSEN FISHING THE MIDWEST FISHING TEAM

I

have many memories of catching walleyes at night: Big walleyes and lots of ‘em. From Leech Lake in north‐ ern Minnesota to Little Bay de Noc in the Upper Peninsula to Clear Lake in north central Iowa and all the way out to the Missouri River below the dam in Pierre South Dakota. Great memories!

Pretty much throughout wall‐ eye country, there are a good number of bodies of water that will produce an outstand‐ ing walleye bite at night. And, if you want to catch a big wall‐ eye, maybe your biggest ever, from now until ice‐up is a time when your odds of doing so are probably the best. Here are some ideas for catching that walleye of a life‐time.

First, you’ve got to be on big fish water. There are more and more bodies of water that are home to walleyes that can pro‐ duce the walleye you’ve been looking for Often the best tro‐ phy walleye producers will be large, deep lakes with clear water. Not always, but often.

Lakes such as this are home to baitfish that make the walleyes fat. The food in deep, clear lakes make walleyes heavy, and because the water is clear, the walleyes can often be easier to catch at night.

There’s another reason why the walleyes go on a night‐bite in the fall. Those baitfish that make the walleyes grow big are fall spawners. They’re in the shallows laying their eggs at a time of year when the walleyes are interested in adding some fat to their body to get them through the win‐ ter months. Those baitfish are very susceptible to hungry walleyes when they’re in those shallow areas.

To take advantage of this night‐time opportunity, you need to do a couple of things.

First, you need to identify a potential hot‐spot.

The fall‐spawning baitfish will usually spawn in shallow water that is close to deep water.

Shorelines or off‐shore shallow sand or rock areas will be good starting points.

In lakes that don’t have fall spawning baitfish, a night‐bite can still occur. Look for areas with current. Go out during the day to current areas and see if baitfish are present. If they are, walleyes will visit at night.

If you’ll be fishing from a boat, keep your gear to a mini‐ mum. You don’t want or need extra stuff that you can trip over. And know where all your gear is in the boat. You don’t want to be looking for baits or hook‐outs or line‐cutters at night when the fish are biting.

If you’ll be wading, check out the area for rocks or logs under the water that you could trip on. Cabela’s has a good number of waders that will keep you dry and warm and that are comfortable to wear.

If you can, try them on in a Cabela’s store.

Get to your spot before the sun goes down and get set up.

Keep quiet. When fish are shal‐ low, they’re oftentimes spooky.

Lure selection is simple. Some #5 Hornets are good when the fish are in the five to seven foot range, Salmo’s Perch and Sting baits were outstanding last year trolled in eight to twelve feet of clear water.

Not many anglers take advan‐ tage of this night‐bite for walleyes, but it is popular in a few areas. Before the water gets hard, find out for yourself why there are some anglers who so enjoy this way to catch walleyes.

To see all the most recent episodes of the Fishing the Midwest television series, new fishing related tips, and fishing articles from the past, go to fishingthemidwest.com. If you do Facebook, check us out for a variety of fishing related things.