DNR offers safety tips for paddlers on the Raccoon River

Bridge construction on I-80 over the Raccoon River is creating dangerous conditions for paddlers. Warning signs are posted at some of the river accesses.

Check the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) interactive paddling map at www.iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Where-to-Paddle to plan paddling trips and avoid bridge construction areas.

Stay away from strainers and sweepers—wood or branch piles—deadly hazards that can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater. These are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest, but can be found anywhere on rivers including at the base of bridge piers.

Iowa DNR offers the following safety tips to paddlers:

- Wear a properly-fitted life jacket at all times while on the water, regardless of your swimming ability. Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times when underway on a recreational vessel on any Iowa water. It’s also law that those 13 and over, if not wearing their life jacket, must have a life jacket on board a canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

- Check river flow rates at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/current/?type=flow.

- Paddle with a group, not by yourself.

- Tell a friend or loved one where you will be paddling, including what access to what access, and when you are expected to return. It will be easier to find you if you need help.

- Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated. Wear light, loose fitting clothing that dries quickly. Wear a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

- Bring along a dry bag with a set of extra clothes you can change into if you get wet, a first-aid kit and a protected cell phone or weather radio.

- Explore the Iowa DNR’s water trail map library at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Water-Trail-Maps-Brochures for individual water trail maps, including access points and some history information.

Learn to Hunt program opens registration for dove hunting and wingshooting workshop

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook mourning doves to individuals who have little to no dove hunting experience.

The workshop will be held on Aug. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Butch Olofson Shooting Range, near Polk City. Participants will learn basic strategies for hunting mourning doves such as proper equipment, where to hunt, safe shooting practices, and how to field dress, butcher and cook them.

The workshop also includes shooting techniques and time on the gun range for those looking to improve their shooting skills.

“This workshop will provide participants the skills and knowledge necessary to begin hunting doves, including techniques to field dress and cook this lean and healthy protein,” said Jamie Cook, program coordinator with the Iowa DNR.

The workshop is designed for participants 18 years of age and older. The cost is $35. For information on the workshop and to begin the registration process, go to https://tinyurl.com/4ks9csjh. Space is limited so be sure to register right away. 

The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.

Iowa’s Scholastic Clay Target Program Skeet Championships

More than 250 athletes from 28 Iowa teams participated in the 2022 Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Skeet Championships held June 23-26 at the New Pioneer Gun Club, in Waukee.

The Des Moines Clay Crushers took home 1st place Women’s Individual and the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars Shooting Sports took home 1st place Men’s Individual. The top Varsity Squad in skeet was from Pella Christian. Find a complete list of all results online at  https://app.sssfonline.com/nationals/3273.

Men’s Varsity Individual Skeet

Carson Finney, Ankeny Centennial Jaguars

Mason Walters, PC Eagles

Robert Curtis, Pleasant Valley

Quinn Glock, Ankeny Hawks Shooting Sports

Daniel Zunkel, Ballard Clay Bombers

Treyton Van Wyk, PC Eagles

Women’s Varsity Individual Skeet

Elizabeth Fuast, Des Moines Clay Crushers

Haley Starmer, Pella Shooters

Jenna Smith, Mt. Pleasant Panthers

Samantha Kelchen, Ankeny Hawks Shooting Sports

Jaden Rydl, Gilbert Clay Commanders

Nikolle Kussatz, PC Eagles

Skeet Varsity Squads

1. Pella Christian Eagles,569 points

2. Ballard Clay Bombers, 565 points (won by shoot-off)

3. Pleasant Valley, 565 points

4. Ankeny Centennial Jaguars, 564 points

5. Pella Christian Eagles,561 points

Iowa’s SCTP teams that participated in the State Championship are eligible to attend the SCTP National Championships held at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio, July 5-16.

For more information on the Scholastic Clay Target Program in Iowa, contact Chris Van Gorp, DNR Shooting Sports Coordinator at 515-313-8048 or [email protected].

Counting turkeys

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for help with its annual wild turkey production survey.  During the months of July and August wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success. 

Participation is easy – just note the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male – males have beards on their breast – and if and how many poults (baby turkeys) were present. The survey is available online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Turkey-Hunting/Wild-Turkey-Survey.

Annual population surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of managing the wild turkey. Turkey populations can fluctuate annually across all regions of the state.  All participation is appreciated.