Summer 2026

IOWA BOWHUNTER

Summer 2026

Fall Festival 2026 July 31-August 2

Highlights of Fall Festival 2025

SKIP THE WAIT! Join or Renew Membership Today!

This maybe the BEST DESIGNED

Ladder Stand!

knappstand.com

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FEATURES Sponsor Pages

IMPORTANT: UPDATE YOUR EMAIL CONTACT WITH IBA

If you are receiving The Iowa Bowhunter and not receiving IBA email updates from your board, please contact Dexter Yaddof at d.yaddof@gmail.com for legislative updates https://iowabowhunters.org/advocacy/ use the signup tab IOWA BOWHUNTER ELECTRONIC DELIVERY We need each one of our members help As we try to find more efficient ways to deliver value to our members we recently began sending two of the yearly quarterly Iowa Bowhunter magazines by “flip book.” This electronic delivery of the Iowa Bowhunter is experiencing some problems and our board is working to resolve these issues. As always with electronic data, when there is one character incorrect, the whole thing is incorrect. Our first goal is to have current and accurate email and mailing addresses for all our members. Without accurate and current information, neither the electronic version or the paper version will be delivered accurately. So we need EVERY MEMBER to send their current email address and also their mailing address to Ben Low. If any membership issues contact Ben Low ONLY if there are changes. Send to Ben by email at ibatreasurer@gmail.com or by US mail at 1501 N 23rd St., Clear Lake, IA 50428. Make sure all information is accurate. If your email or address ever changes, you MUST send Ben an update. Please confirm this information as soon as possible. Anyone can always find the current newsletter, as well as past editions on our website by going to the home page, then select news, then select newsletter, then find the current pdf or simply click on the flip-book link.

1, 3-5, 7, 10-11, 16, 22, Inside Back Cover Inside Front Cover

IBA Fall Festival 2026

Skip the Wait Editor’s Corner

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Presidents Message BONKER’S World

8-10 12-13

August Hunter Safety Locations

Featured 100% Club Pine Lake Archers

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Late Season Food Plot Plantings

Save the Date

Bowhunters Page

18-20

DNR

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Archers Wanted

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For Your Information Youth Bowhunter

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Election of Board of Directors

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IBA Related Information IBA Spring Banquet Awards Application

30-36

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IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION

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NEWSLETTER October 15 is when the next Iowa Bowhunter newsletter is due for distribution, so please get your articles, pictures, stories, and advertisements to me no later than September 15. Thanks for all the photos already sent in and keep up the good work. There’s always room on the Gut Pile page. Also, if you have a good picture for the front cover, feel free to send that to me and mark it to be used for the front cover. Please include a short caption of information with each picture. Pictures are not returned. Randy Taylor EDITORS CORNER

TO ALL AREA REPS (AND ALL MEMBERS)

Our membership needs to be more informed on what is happening in all areas of the state of Iowa, as well as surrounding states. As an area rep, it is expected of you to supply information about your particular area to the rest of the membership. This is accomplished though articles in the Bowhunter. Please submit an article for each Bowhunter issue (four total) to the Bowhunter editor. Deadlines are shown in the editors corner of each issue. We’ll look forward to your input. If you have questions about your membership please use this address Ben Low, Treasurer 1501 N 23rd St. Clear Lake, IA 50428 ibatreasurer@gmail.com Any other questions or problems please contact any board member.

SPONSORS 9965 Shrine Street Reasnor, IA 50232 641-521-1050 tayphoto1950@gmail.com

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SPONSORS

Nipigon River Bear Hunt

nipigonriverbearhunt.com bbearman@shaw.ca Moose, Bear, and Wolf Hunting ~ Fishing ~ Scenery and Wildlife ~ Photo Opportunities

Bob Bearman ~ 807-887-3801 or 807-887-2813 Box 400 ~ Nipigon, ON, Canada ~ POT 2JO

100 years of Sporting Tradition Since 1901, Boyt has provided rugged and dependable equipment, accessories, and clothing for all hunting and shooting enthusiasts. www.boytharnesscompany.com Outdoors with Outdoors Dan Show 7 - 9 AM: Saturdays on 1350 ESPN Des Moines, Iowa www.outdoorsdan.com For Podcasts or to listen online just click to https://espndesmoines.com/outdoors-with-outdoors-dan/

www.scheels.com The Midwest’s largest selection of sports, sportswear, and footwear. Set your sights on the BEST GEAR this season. ~ Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines - 515-727-4065 ~ Southern Hills Mall, Sioux City - 712-252-1551 ~ Viking Plaza, Cedar Falls - 319-277-3033 ~ Coral Ridge Mall, Iowa City - 319-625-9959

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SPONSORS

BUCK HOLLOW SPORTS Archery Pro Shop ~ www.buckhollowsports.com Large selection of archery supplies, guns, ammo, optics, trail cameras, muzzleloaders, and lots more for all your hunting and sporting needs. Boyd L Mathes ~ 641-628-4586 ~ Archery Field & Sports Outdoor & Sporting Goods Company- Archery Range-Paintball Center Our professional staff has years of archery experience as well as certified training to provide the best learning experience possible. www.archeryfield.com 515-265-6500 3725 NE 56th St, Altoona, Iowa

Hours vary, so please call ahead. 776 190th Ave ~ Pella, IA 50219

Heritage 1865 Outfitters www.heritage1865.com We specialize in upland bird hunts; but also have deer, turkey, and waterfowl hunts available. Travis Ewing ~ 641-344-1120 Russel, IA ~ email-barney@heritage1865.com

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello to fellow bowhunters. Hopefully everyone had a successful turkey and bear season. Hearing from some the turkey hunting was tough in areas. Now that summer fishing is upon us, it’s great to be on the lakes and rivers. Now for all you that have been practicing hard and for those that have not fall festival is just around the corner. Not a better time than now is to join us at Pine Lake near Eldora. Meet up with old friends and new friends. We will have a limited number of bows for people that have not shot a bow so encourage anyone that does not have a bow to come out and give it a try. Always an enjoyable weekend during fall festival. I would also like to thank

everyone that comes out to setup and tear down. More information elsewhere in the Bowhunter. Your board is already planning on the upcoming 2027 year. It will mark our 60th year for the IBA. If my memory serves me right it was started by thirteen original members in 1967. Thank you to the ones that started the IBA and all the volunteers that have volunteered their time over the years to keep the IBA strong. Thanks to each and every one of you for being members of the IBA. We really appreciate the sponsors and all that donate. In closing may your arrows fly straight. Sincerely, Loren

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SPONSORS

(Our sponsors support and believe in the IBA, please support our sponsors)

DIAMOND ($10,000 and up) GSM Outdoors PLATINUM ($5,000 - $9,999)

Infinito Safaris Archery Field & Sports

Matlabas Game Hunters

GOLD ($1,000 - $4,999)

Boyt Harness Company Buck Hollow Sports Diamond Jo Casino DK Custom Taxidermy Good Shot Heritage 1865 Outfitters

Mankazana Safaris Raymond Bowhunters Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids Thaddeus Lake Lodge

SILVER ($500 - $999)

C&D Outfitters David Bennett HyVee Distribution Mike Robertson

Racks and Tracks Taxidermy Rockytop Ranch Scheels Tim Quinn

BRONZE (up to $499)

Bluff Creek Archery Clayton County Archers Dakota Ranch Outfitters Dan Krettek Denny Bradley Eyad Yehyawi Fin and Feather Ike Lind Jerry Dowell Jill German Creations JP Plumbing Mid Iowa Archers

Pj1Custom Woodworking Palo Outdoors Pine Lake Archers Pottawattamie Bowhunters Raw Metal Works Roger Bowen Scott Rolffs South Central Bowhunters of Iowa Stellar Sparks Candle Company Tammy’s Handbags and Apparel Taylor Photography Wapello Chiefs

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BONKER’S WORLD What’s better than turkey camp? Well, that would be two turkey camps in the same year. All of the usual attendees couldn’t be there for the “normal” third season manly man fest so we met up the next weekend for some fourth season shenanigans as well. Opening morning of third season dawned, well, who am I kidding? I have zero idea how it dawned, just that it did. I was still fast asleep when the sun peeked its nose over the horizon. I have gotten very good at sleeping though the sounds of crunchy apples being eaten, granola being munched and a herd of elephants getting their gear together while coffee is being made. It isn’t so much the sound of the vile brew being percolated into life as it is the malodorous vapors said brew is giving off. Of course I did my usual long stay in the comfy mattress covered cot and finally wandered out of the cabin at the crack of 0900 for what was a relatively short sit in the blind. This year it took about five hours for me to get a turkey on the ground. As I have stated before, I believe the reason it has been taking me a little longer to kill a turkey every year is the fact that I’m a year older and therefore just a little bit slower in everything I do. However, I think this year the reason was the turkeys

He stood there for a few seconds and instead of heading for the decoys he decided to strut right in front of the blind. He was close enough that I thought he was going to brush the blind. I couldn’t move, I think he was looking at the decoys with his left eye and looking at me in the blind with his right eye. So I sat there, my gun was leaning on the wall, the turkey was in full strut giving me the eye and he had just moved past the center of the blind. He moved his head to look at the dekes which gave me the opportunity to grab my gun, he took one step toward the dekes which gave me the time to shoulder my gun, but I was too close to the blind wall to poke it out of the slit. I couldn’t lean back any further. I was stuck. I don’t know if it was my movement or the creaking of my bones that made him come out of strut and go into what I call a low crawl position. He took about three steps, went back into strut, he once again turned toward the dekes but he had moved far enough that he was at the very end of the narrow opening of the blind. He still didn’t move to the decoys so I decided that he wasn’t going to go after the jake and give me a nice shot, he was going to continue to move away from the blind so I managed to wrangle the gun out of the blind just as he turned toward the decoys in full strut. What was going to be a ten yard fan busting butt shot turned into a nice head shot. I’ve never had to shoot a turkey in the rear and I still haven’t, but I was ready to. Good thing I got him with one shot because I couldn’t eject the empty shell. Not because I couldn’t, rather the gun wouldn’t. Still not sure why that happened but I did clear the jam so now it’s time for the gun to go to the gun hospital. The next day started out the same, apples, granola, elephant herd and noxious coffee fumes. My Personal Guide had filled his tag in second season so he was out of the game but My Personal Guide’s Assistant and My Personal Guide’s Assistant’s Protégée were still in the game. Later that morning I was settled into the cabin reading a book when I heard two almost simultaneous shots. Hmmmm, either two turkeys with two shots or one turkey that was now turkey burger. Turns out the Assistant and the Assistant’s Protégée doubled up. For the first time in turkey camp history everyone was

were a year older and therefore a year wiser. After four hours of mind numbing blind induced boredom I decided to screech out some “turkey” sounds on a box call. About an hour later, hey I’m claiming that I called him in. Time in the turkey world is relative. Relative to what I don’t know, but I still say it was the magic I worked on that box call that called him in, he was just a slow walker, a very slow walker. I was sitting there contemplating my questionable life choices, turkey hunting being one of them, when not ten feet away from the blind a tom slinked around the corner and stopped. He raised his head up because he was looking at my decoys while trying to decide what to do; turn and run or attack the jake. He did neither. He went into full fan and stood there silently looking at the decoys. I remained calm. All he had to do was strut toward them and he would strut right through my shooting lane. In this instance a shooting lane is a part of the blind that is open far enough to stick my gun barrel through and pull the trigger.

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tagged out. Well, what to do? No third season tags left in camp so I guess we are done hunting. Fishing? The Turkey river was too high to get to the trout so that was out. We elected just to sit on the cabin porch to relax and enjoy the beautiful spring afternoon. Afternoon turned to evening and evening means it’s time to play the game I love to hate. If golf is a way to ruin a perfectly good walk then euchre is the best way to ruin a perfectly good evening. My Personal Guide, his Assistant and the Assistants Protégée drew lots, the loser was to be my partner. The Assistant drew the black spot. Doomed to an evening of frustration and losing he opened one of his last cans of his favorite Canadian beer saved from last year’s trip up north. Now I’m not saying there was any magic in that particular can of Canadian beer but as soon as the sound of it opening faded away there was a feeling in the air, almost as if some sort of supernatural presence had been released and was with us in the cabin. The first game went as usual, the Assistant and I lost big time. The Assistant then opened his second to last can of his favorite Canadian beer and it seemed to double that supernatural feeling. We started the second game, and through no fault of the Assistant we lost the first four hands. I believe the score was 20 for them and 12 in the hole for us. The Assistant stood up, went out to the porch where his cooler was and came back in with what he said was the absolute last can of his favorite Canadian beer, but this was a “silo” beer, a 24 ounce behemoth that would allow the Assistant to play cards with me as his partner while making it barely tolerable. If the first two cans made it feel like there was a supernatural being in the cabin this one made it feel like all the bearwalks, banshees, windigos, chupacabras, skinwalkers and slaughs were inside with us. It was the weirdest feeling I have ever had. Everybody was feeling the presence, nervous glances were exchanged. The wind kicked up and it seemed to say “Bonker, deal the cards”. Who am I to deny a potential deity’s order? I picked up the cards and dealt them. The first

bidder passed, the second bidder, my partner, bid a “shooter in hearts” the third bidder passed and I thought hard about going double shooter in hearts but I don’t think that’s a legal bid so I just looked at my nine of hearts and hoped he had the other six trump cards so I couldn’t misplay trump yet again. The Assistant simply laid all six of his cards on the table, all trump, I showed them my nine, also a trump. It was at that exact moment we all knew there was something, some other worldly thing in control of the cards. That shooter hand had us back to even from a 12 point deficit. Three hands later, after all of us had dealt a hand and all of them had been shooters to my partner and all of them had been hearts as trump. We were certain that some other worldly being had been in charge of the cards and that other worldly being had come from the Assistant’s last three cans of his favorite Canadian beer. As suddenly as it had come up, the wind died down, and as one we rose to heed the call of nature. As I finished I looked up and saw a large white rabbit walking upright into the woods. I shook my head and looked again, but it was gone. We all went back inside and sat at the table. They all looked as if they had seen a ghost. I asked “Did anyone else happen to see a giant white rabbit?” Heads nodded yes, “and was he walking upright into the woods?” Again, they all nodded yes. The Assistant’s favorite Canadian beer is Old Style Pilsner, not the same as Heileman’s Old Style from La Crosse. This Old Style Pilsner is actually drinkable. The Old Style Pilsner can actually has a large white rabbit on it and is sometimes referred to as “White Rabbit” beer. I bet you are all thinking I’m ripping off Lewis Carrol’s 1865 book Alice in Wonderland or Grace Slick’s 1966 song White Rabbit and you would be wrong. Their premise was Alice and Grace ate and/ or drank unknown substances and imagined, some would say hallucinated, what they saw. My premise is the magic was inside the can and it was let out by opening it, not consuming its contents. continued on page 10

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performed an exorcism before my arrival. We didn’t play any three handed euchre, because if I don’t have a partner to support me I lose even worse. Not to mention there wasn’t a can of White Rabbit beer anywhere around that part of Iowa that if opened had some sort of magic inside that would help me win. I didn’t hunt season four, one turkey a year is plenty for me, plus it seems every time I kill a turkey the next turkey takes even longer, so why make next years hunt longer by killing two birds this year? The highlight of turkey camp part two was actually going trout fishing. I caught one sucker but My Personal Guide and his Apprentice each caught their limits of trout and at least one small mouth. So that begs the question, should it be called turkey camp two or trout camp? Either way you can rest assured that I’ll be bringing some White Rabbit beer back with me from Canada this year and hopefully it doesn’t lead me down another rabbit hole.

continued from page 9 You could draw parallels to the One Thousand and One Nights also known as The Arabian Nights tale “Aladdin” or the I Dream of Jeannie television series that ran from 1965-1970. Their premise was a being, or “genie” if you will, with the power to grant wishes was freed from confinement giving the person that freed them wishes. Again, my premise is there was some sort of magic in those cans that didn’t need to be consumed or wishes granted to alter what was occurring at the time. The power unleashed from those White Rabbit cans, worldly, unworldly or other wise had the cosmic ability to see what needed to be done, do what needed to be done and that enabled the Assistant and I to finally win a game of euchre and in convincing fashion. We all kind of slept with one eye open and one ear listening in case the white rabbit returned to the cabin that night. My Personal Guide, My Personal Guide’s Apprentice and I attended turkey camp part two. I believe they

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The gear you need from the brands you trust. Home to brands such as Stealth Cam, Walkers, Cold Steel, Muddy, HME, Wild Game, Ameristep, Tenzing, Avain, Big Game, Flextone, NAP, and many more. www.gsmoutdoors.com Ph. 877-269-8490 email info@gsmorg.com

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AUGUST HUNTER SAFETY LOCATIONS 1 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Course Aurelia Shelter House 304 West 4th Street Aurelia IA, 51005-5022 1 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Pottawattamie CCB - Hitchcock Nature Center 27792 Ski Hill Loop Honey Creek IA, 51542 1 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Hitchcock Nature Center 27792 Ski Hill Loop Honey Creek IA, 51542 3 MON Hunter Education Classroom Course Multiple-Day Event Fin and Feather 125 Highway 1 Iowa City IA, 52246 4 TUE 4 TUE Hunter Education Classroom Course Multiple-Day Event Izaak Walton League - Clinton 4167 Highway 136 Clinton IA, 52732 10 MON Hunter Education Classroom Course Multiple-Day Event Clayton County Conservation Board 29862 Osborne RD Elkader IA, 52043 11 TUE Hunter Education Classroom Course Swiss Valley Nature Center 13606 Swiss Valley Rd Peosta 52068 15 SAT Hunter Education Classroom Course Floyd CCB - Fossil & Prairie Center 1227 215th St Rockford 50468 15 SAT Bow hunter Education Class Black Hawk CCB - Black Hawk Park

Hunter Education Field Day Plymouth CCB - Hillview Park 25601 C60 Hinton IA, 51024 4 TUE Hunter Education Classroom Course Multiple-Day Event Calmar Fire Station Meeting Room 101 South Charles Street Calmar 52132

2410 W Lone Tree Rd Cedar Falls IA, 50613

15 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Floyd CCB - Fossil & Prairie Center 1227 215th St Rockford 50468

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20 THU Hunter Education Classroom Course Multiple-Day Event Izaak Walton League - Marshalltown 2601 Smith Ave Marshalltown IA, 50158 22 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Izaak Walton League - Ottumwa 11077 90th St Ottumwa IA, 52501 22 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Jackson CCB - Hurstville Interpretive Center 18670 63rd St Maquoketa 52060 22 SAT

29 SAT Hunter Education Classroom Course Washington CCB - Marr Park 2943 Highway 92 Ainsworth IA, 52201 Hunter Education Field Day Fairbank Gun Club 3094 260th Street Fairbank 50629 29 SAT Hunter Education Field Day O'Brien CCB - Crosbie Wildlife & Nature Youth Center 4720 Roosevelt Ave Paullina IA, 51046 29 SAT

Hunter Education Field Day Big Hollow Shooting Range

Hunter Education Field Day Marion CCB - Cordova Park

18853152nd Ave Sperry IA, 52650

1378 Hwy G 28 Otley IA, 50214

29 SAT Hunter Education Classroom Course Muscatine CCB - Environmental Learning Center 3300 Cedar St Muscatine IA, 52761

22 SAT Hunter Education Field Day Willow Creek Park 5945 Highway 9 Ocheyedan IA, 51354 25 TUE Hunter Education Classroom Course Multiple-Day Event First Assembly of God 1809 Agency Burlington IA, 52601

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF TIMES, LOCATIONS AND REGISTRATION USE THE LINK BELOW HTTPS://LICENSE.GOOUTDOORSIOWA.COM/EVENT/EVENTSHOME.ASPX

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IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION 100% CLUBS AND AFFILIATE CLUBS

Iowa Bowhunters Association 100% Clubs are archery clubs across the state in which every member is also a member of the IBA. These clubs receive special recognition and support from the IBA, including the following benefits: Benefits for IBA 100% Clubs • Discounted IBA memberships • Full rights and privileges of IBA membership for all club members • Opportunity to host the Iowa Games 3D Shoot • 3D shoot schedule posted on the IBA website • Recognition and a special attendance award at the Spring Banquet • Club recognition on the IBA website and in the Bowhunter newsletter

• Dedicated section in the Bowhunter newsletter • Eligible for IBA grants to purchase new targets IBA Affiliate Clubs are clubs whose members are not all IBA members, but who actively encourage their members to join the IBA. In turn, the IBA promotes these clubs to its membership, supporting growth at the local level. Benefits for IBA Affiliate Clubs • Discounted IBA memberships • 3D shoot schedule posted on the IBA website • Club recognition on the IBA website and in the Bowhunter newsletter

Clayton County Archers Elkader, Iowa Hickory Ridge Bowhunters Pella, Iowa Pottawattamie Bowhunters Council Bluffs, Iowa Blackhawk Archers Waterloo, Iowa Raymond Bowhunters Raymond, Iowa Pine Lake Archers Eldora, Iowa Wapello Chief Bowmen

Ottumwa, Iowa Atlantic Archers Atlantic, Iowa Mid-Iowa Archers Indianola, Iowa South Central Bowhunters Chariton, Iowa Echo Valley Archers West Union, IA Riceville Archery Club Riceville, IA

Your IBA board has been contemplating what else we can do for the 100% clubs. Along with reduced member rates, member coupons, IBA Shootout participant, Iowa Games host, and individual newsletter section, we have decided to also include at no cost a shoot schedule for your club (no larger than one half page). Just get your schedule to the editor by the newsletter deadline and it will be included in the next issue of the Iowa Bowhunter.

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PINE LAKE ARCHERS “THE FIRST 50 YEARS”

Pine Lake Archers (PLA) started in the winter of 1976. A group of six individuals started shooting in the basement of one of their homes. Later they moved to other locations – basement at the bowling alley and legion and also to the State Training School. They started to talk about forming a club on May 10, 1976. They were issued a charter from the NFAA and the Pine Lake Archers were formed. A 28-target course was laid out at the Pine Lake Wildlife Club (PLWC) to the west of the club house (Timber Range). On April 25, 1976 PLA hosted their first shoot. Cost was $3.00 per shooter and frozen turkeys

were awarded to winners of each class. Targets consisted of animals drawn on cardboard. In 1979 with financial help from the PLA, the PLWC purchased the ground east of the club house (Meadow Range). A 28-target course was laid out. Over the years, both courses have been cut back to 20 targets each. In March 1980 the original club house burned down. By the winter of 1981, the new club house was built and we had a permanent indoor range. PLA began hosting the Iowa Bowhunters Association (IBA) Fall Festival in 1977. PLA continues to

host this event each year on the first weekend in August. In 2009 the hail storm hit the course while shooters were out on the course Sunday morning. No injuries, but a lot of damage to the trees. We hope to never experience that again. PLA continues to hold club shoots during the year. We have a “Chilly” Shoot in March – each registered shooter gets a free bowl of chili; July we have “The Warm-up” Shoot; and then we host the “IBA Fall Festival” in August. During the Winter, we have an indoor league and during the Spring/Summer, we have an outdoor league.

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SPONSORS

Infinito Safaris and Double Lung Archery, Inc. www.doublelungarcheryinc.com

Join the “Hunt With Double Lung” group every June, or book you own hunt dates. Dave and Charl at Infinito Safaris make your dream hunt happen. LaPorte City, IA 319-342-4550 dave.stueve@gmail.com

MATLABAS GAME HUNTERS

www.matlabas.co.za Matlabas Game Hunters is committed to conservation and our strict management policies keep game populations at healthy numbers. We cater to all bow hunters, whether you shoot traditional, compound, or crossbow. Your adventure will not just simply be a visit to Africa, but

Africa will become a part of you forever! Ph - (27) 878080861 or (27) 829000227 (27) 829000227 email - info@matlabas.co.za

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LATE SEASON FOOD PLOT PLANTINGS Plant ALL in one plot in strips or blocks

with oats and berseem or crimson clover in mid spring at 60#'s oats and 12-15#'s berseem clover and/ or crimson and/or 50#'s of chickling vetch) Cereal Grain combo in 45% of plot... we use 50# each rye, oats and peas along with radish and clover seed all planted in half of each feeding area Winter rye 50-80#'s per acre (56#'s = a bushel) Spring oats 50-120#'s per acre (32#'s = a bushel) Frostmaster Winter Peas or 4010/6040 Forage peas 20-80#'s per acre

Red Clover 8-12#'s per acre or white clover at 6#'s per acre (or 20-40 pounds hairy vetch and 20-30#'s crimson clover on sandy soils) Groundhog Forage Radish 5#'s per acre Plant in late August to early September, if following well fertilized brassicas use 100 - 200#'s of urea, if starting a new plot add 400#'s of 6-28-28 but for best results soil test and add only what is necessary. Rotate the brassicas and rye combo each year. Reprinted from Iowa Whitetail Forum

Alice, Kopu II, Durana (or comparable) white clover 10% of plot, sow at 6#'s per acre with the rye combination in the fall or in the spring with oats and berseem clover. Correct Ph and P&K with soil tests

Brassicas in 45% of plot Purple Top Turnips 3# Dwarf Essex Rape 2#

Ground Hog Forage radish 5# Plant in mid to late July in most Midwest states, or 60-90 days before your first killing frost, Use 200#'s of 46-0-0 urea and 400#'s of 6-28-28 per acre. Follow the dead brassicas

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BOWHUNTER PAGE

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BOWHUNTER PAGE

Effective August 15th, 2026 the cost of a Lifetime Membership will be $500.

www.iowabowhunters.org

IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION

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BOWHUNTER PAGE

If you are an archery shop or a 100% Club and would like to hang this 24" x 36" banner in your shop or club please contact us at: lorenwakeman1981@gmail.com or tayphoto1950@gmail.com

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DNR Review of Wild Turkey Season and Upcoming Survey Jim Coffey, Forest Wildlife Biologist Iowa DNR

in the past we used a postcard survey that people could record and mail back to us. This survey was expensive and time consuming. Now with modern technology the survey can be conducted online. People who see turkeys can go to the Iowa DNR turkey page and “Report Your Sighting” by clicking the “Report Your Sighting” button. Some very simple questions come up that allow you to input your data. This data is then compiled into agricultural regional zones and a production index is calculated. Most states use a similar system and this then allows us to compare national regional production data. So, I ask you to help with this survey by reporting your summer turkey sightings from July 1st through the end of August. There is some material on the DNR webpage to help you identify male, females and young so your data can be included properly. The only caveat is to only report a sighting once. If you see the same turkeys in the same field every morning while drinking coffee on the front porch do not report them every day,-only once. So, in my world turkey season is a year around undertaking. I love watching the seasons change and a new crop of turkeys appear. Harvest is a great byproduct that this renewable resource provides to us all. I hope you had great spring turkey season (if you hunted) and I thank you for helping count the next crop of turkeys. As always, if you have any questions about Iowa wildlife feel free to reach out by emailing me or better yet give me

With the spring 2026 wild turkey season ending it is time to do both some reflecting and some preparation. With just short o 14,000 birds reported through the mandatory reporting system this spring, 2026 finished as the lowest harvest since 2022. This does not mean it was a bad harvest, in fact it was more like a recent average. Wild turkey harvest can fluctuate from year to year based on several factors. Weather is probably one of the biggest factors that impacts harvest. Weather can impact not only turkey behavior but also hunter behavior. In general we had good hunting conditions throughout most of the season, al little warm early and pretty green late, but plenty of opportunity for people to get out and chase a bird. For the 4th year in a row birds were reported being harvested in all 99 counties. This is kind of a general benchmark on how things are going. Obviously not all counties have the same quality and quantity of wild turkey habitat across the State. Allamakee and Clayton counties are the perianal powerhouses, and there are more people on the eastern 1/3 of the State as well. This leads into the second phase of this article the preparations for next year. From a biologist stand point this means the 2026 wild turkey survey. The annual survey is our best indicator of how production faired during the current year. The number of turkeys harvested in 2026 is really a reflection of how production was in 2024. The two-year old males are the ones that really show up in the harvest. So how does the survey work,

a call and let’s talk wildlife. James.coffey@dnr.iowa.gov 515-979-8033

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ARCHERS WANTED! 2026 FALL FESTIVAL JULY 31 ST THRU AUGUST 2 ND FRIDAY Entertainment: DJ MUSIC 7-10 pm Food available in Concession Stand in clubhouse Raffles and Prizes for Novelty shoots Famous running Deer Target and Long-Range 3D Challenge 2 full courses with 20 unique target scenarios per course Camping is available at the PLA archery club grounds where QUIET generator are allowed. Pine Lake State Park and Hardin County Park near Steamboat Rock will be open with electrical hookup.

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION Membership Expiration Many people do not know when their IBA membership expires. To alleviate this a bit, the last time you renewed is shown following your name in the address section on the back of the particular issue.

LIFE MEMBERS

We have life member pins available upon request at no charge to you. We do not mail them out, but you can contact any board member and make arrangements to get one. It would be best to just come to a board meeting

(dates listed in the Iowa Bowhunter) and pick it up, but another arrangement would be fine also, it is shaped in a arrowhead and has IBA LIFE MEMBER printed on it.

Looking for a Few Good Men or Women

Are you at that stage in life that you have some time that you would like to volunteer and give back. Your kids have left the nest and you don’t have grandkids yet. Are you a dedicated Bowhunter that cares enough about our sport that you are willing to give up five days a year? The IBA is looking for a few good men or women to run for the board of directors. As in any organization, we need new people to introduce new ideas and stay current with the times to be successful, and also to continually improve the IBA organization. Your involvement helps to ensure that the hunting opportunities we enjoy now will continue for generations to come. The board meets five times a year and never during an archery season; after all we are bowhunters. Three of the meetings are held separately in Des Moines, one is in Des Moines during the SPRING Banquet, and one is in Eldora during the Fall Festival. If you would like more information please contact one of the people to the right. Terry Koppes 641-858-7182 tmkoppes@heartofiowa.net Randy Taylor 641-521-1050 tayphoto1950@gmail.com Denny Bradley 641-226-2584 bowhunterdb@gmail.com

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NASP & YOUTH BOWHUNTER Youth Scholarship Essay Contest The IBA will be offering a five hundred dollar scholarship to a youth, graduating senior of current year that is a member of the IBA. To earn this scholarship, you must write an essay not more than 500 words on at least two of the following topics, and include a photo of yourself. 1. What Bowhunting has taught me 2. What the IBA means to me 3. My most memorable experience with a bow These essays must be in the hands of your IBA President no later than July 5. Members of the IBA Board of Directors will judge them. This scholarship cannot be given to the same person more than once; and will be announced at the Fall Festival. This scholarship will be given when notice of college enrollment is provided to the IBA Treasurer; and the check will be written to the college. This essay must be in your own readable handwriting and not an electronic document. See the Board Member section of Bowhunter or the Website for your IBA President’s contact and address information. I would like to publish some of our youth’s stories, but haven’t received any for quite some time. Please send your stories to the editor (see page 2). They can be anything from hunting to NASP to helping put in a food

plot to anything you want. IBA Board of Directors

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YOUTH BOWHUNTER Sweetest 16th Ted Nugent Kamp For Kids

With a morning temperature of 53 degrees it felt more like an early fall morning in Iowa than the beginning of a late day in June . 100 kids started to show up just after 7:00am for a day full of outdoor instruction that turned into one of the nicest days in the last 16 years of the Iowa Bowhunt ers sponsored event. Mentored by adult and past TNKFK attendees, the kids received instruction in archery, air rifles, wrist rockets, fishing as well as orienteering, wildlife fun facts and

throwing the Atlatl. Despite the threat of late afternoon thunderstorms we were lucky enough to have all of the kids, volunteers, instructors and all of the equipment safe before the rain began. Thank you to the Iowa Bowhunters Association for the years of unwavering support of this event. We also want to thank our family, friends, countless volunteers, instruc tors, and mentors, who have helped 1,600 kids enjoy this event over the years.

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IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION Election of Board of Directors of the IBA Vote for up to seven candidates.

____ Mike Fairchild

____ Larry Rosauer

____ Terry Koppes

____ Dexter Yaddof

____ Randy McPherren

____ John La Bar

____ Loren Wakeman

Write in vote ______________________________________________ If you would like more information on the IBA Board responsibilities feel to contact Randy at tayphoto1950@gmail.com

Please mail in your ballot by August 15th, 2026 Mail to; Randy Taylor 9965 Shrine St Reasnor, IA 50232

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The IBA completes this purpose through the following:  By improving and increasing the opportunities for bowhunting.  By cooperating with and supporting federal and state agencies, sportsmen’s associations, and conservation organizations, which are insuring the propagation and preservation of game animals in their natural habitat.  By encouraging and conducting educational programs designed to acquaint the public and the archer with the safe and ethical use of bowhunting as an effective method of hunting legal game.  By supporting youth involvement in bowhunting through our continued support of the Iowa Archery in Schools Program. More information on our organization can be found at www.iowabowhunters.org or on Facebook at Iowa Bowhunters Association. Please consider joining our organization, and help us continue to protect, defend, and promote bowhunting and all our natural resources in this great state of Iowa for generations to come. WHAT IS THE I.B.A? The I.B.A. is a statewide association made up of bowhunters. Its purpose is to protect, defend, and promote bowhunting in the state of Iowa. HOW OLD IS THE I.B.A? The Iowa Bowhunters Association was organized in 1967 by a group of thirteen dedicated bowhunters from the state. This group, the original board of directors, had over fifty years of bowhunting experience. In addition, this group had many years of hunting big game and small game with firearms. IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION RELATED INFORMATION

The Iowa Bowhunters Association Mission Statement. The IBA is a statewide

association made up of bowhunters. Its purpose is to protect, defend, and promote the sport of archery and bowhunting for all legal game in Iowa using long bow, recurve, and compound bow equipment.

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IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION RELATED INFORMATION

IBA MEMBERSHIP DUES!!! $25.00 regular member 100% club members receive discounts for membership dues as long as all members belong - $23.00 (Now available - 1, 2 or 3 year memberships) Check Your Address Label For Membership Expiration Mail to: Ben Low, 1501 N 23rd St., Clear Lake, IA 50428, blow@fivestarcoop.com IBA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Name ____________________________________ Date_________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________________ City _ ____________________________________State _ ______ Zip______________ Phone _ __________________E-mail_ ______________________________________ If current member, is this an address change?_ _______________ New Member_________ Renewal __________ Help keep the tradition of bowhunting healthy for today and tomorrow.

 1 year membership ($25)  2 year membership ($46)  3 year membership ($69)  Lifetime membership ($500)

ALL ARE SINGLE/FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS

Total Amount Due_ _________________ Payment Method:  Cash  Check  Money Order You can pay by credit card on our website.

Please detach form and send your dues to: IBA Treasurer , 1501 N 23rd St., Clear Lake, IA 50428

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND USE OUR CONVENIENT ONLINE APPLICATION FEATURING

IBA Kiko Tovar Lifetime Achievement Award Past Recipients

Laverne Woock (one of founding fathers) Cal Struchen Grant Poindexter

Erv Wagner Ron Steege Craig Eckhardt Randy Taylor

Jim Coles Bill Stonebraker Travis Glidden

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LIFE MEMBERS IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION RELATED INFORMATION

Robert Roach Evansdale, IA Laverne Woock Waterloo, IA Richard Eldridge Booklyn, IA Richard Harris LaPorte City, IA Dennis (Whitey) Johnson Waterloo, IA Leroy Matthias Waterloo, IA Gene Winter Waterloo, IA Craig Eckhardt Hampton, IA Terry Schulz Duncombe, IA David MacDonald Waverly, IA David Willis Lake City, IA Matt B. Koenig Ankeny, IA Dave Holt Lakewood, CO Michael Heaser Minneiska, MN Murray Stewart Kearny, MO Don Brazelton Ankeny, IA Mark Armstrong Council Bluffs, IA Mick Brown Council Bluffs, IA Larry Stewart Martelle, IA Bill Behrens Cedar Falls, IA Doug Clayton Council Bluffs, IA Nathan Dirks Spirit Lake, IA John Carlson Lake Mills, IA John Koschmeder Riceville, IA Robert Rust Webb, IA Tom Oldfather Elk Run Heights, IA Todd Lehigh Omaha, NE Rayneal McKim Altoona, IA Gary Rieck Waverly, IA Richard Kelly Missouri Valley, IA Hampton, IA Larry Zach

Randy Cooling Dexter, MI Patrick Sullivan Cedar Rapids, IA Chris Barton Farragut, IA Don Eggleston Waverly, IA Dana Rogers Box Elder, SD Bill Branderhorst Newton, IA Paul (Buck) Farni Durango, IA Steven Mosnik Marion, IA Ed Ulicki Lehigh, IA Donnie Morris Sully, IA Roger Bowen Council Bluffs, IA Robert Seger Ft. Dodge, IA Tim Friday Union, IA Ron Shrout Gillett, PA Douglas Beckman Carroll, IA Mike Blanchard Muscatine, IA Shawn Ryan Davenport, IA John Keenan Tama, IA Harvey Dirks Cedar Rapids, IA Richard Schmitz, Jr. Clinton, IA Lynn Hoch Indianola, IA Tom (Fishbonker) Toycen Mount Vernon, IA Randy Taylor Reasnor, IA Jason Guisinger Clive, IA Kent E. Halstead Donnellson, IA Daryl Landsguard Saint Olaf, IA Kelly White Saylorville, IA Des Moines, IA John Haberl Carroll, IA Gary Liebsch Glenwood, IA Daniel Loftus Douds, IA David Lent Marion, IA Paul Fults

Timothy Callahan Primgar, IA Daniel Young Des Moines, IA Robert T. Buckley Waterloo, IA Charles Masko Swisher, IA Steven Sears Council Bluffs, IA Brian Wessel Keokuk, IA Barry Smith Wheatridge, CO Grant Pointdexter Indianola, IA Hunter White Saylorville, IA Charles Rehor Rehoboth, MA Michael Mealey Indianola, IA Jim Kieler Raymond, IA Matthew Kieler Bill & Mary Stonebraker Eldora, IA Terry Tremmel Indianola, IA Joshua Carter Nichols, IA Reed E. Burres Humboldt, IA Jeff Inlow Orient, IA Clark Schmitz Brunsville, IA Terry Konchalski Des Moines, IA Troy Powell Stuart, IA Shann Poindexter Melrose, IA Kelly Kendall Eldora, IA John Dudley Indianola, IA Tom Litchfield Chariton, IA Brian Poindexter Indianola, IA Boyd Mathes Pella, IA Raymond, IA Jacob Kieler Raymond, IA Jeff Manzer Story City, IA Mike Zoellner Shelby, IA Bob & Karen Branchcomb Milo, IA

Troy Westrum Stratford, IA Mathew Jessen Altoona, IA Jon Christensen Mount Ayr, IA Robin Klemme Merrill, IA Dray Walter Blockton, IA Jim Colwell Knoxville, IA Denny Bradley Ottumwa, IA Cory Wolf North Liberty, IA David Nennig Osceola, IA Mathew Andrews Tunkhannock, PA Bob Haney Donnie Acheson W. Des Moines, IA Tammy Kent New Market, IA Nick Wetjen New Hartford, IA Ted Boos Johnston, IA Dave Hugen Hamilton, IA Dennis Evans Humboldt, IA David Holder Winterset, IA Randy Knight Murry, IA Adam Dodds Ames, IA Wyatt Westberg Adel, IA Jeff Westberg Woodward, IA Travis Glidden Garner, IA Jeff Dodds Ames, IA Ryan Helgerson Eagle River, AK Joel Helgerson Eagle River, AK Ty Glidden Garner, IA Jordan Feller Logan, IA William Crary Cedar Rapids, IA Bill Winke Albia, IA Thomas McMahon Fairfield, IA Des Moines, IA Travis Haney Des Moines, IA Scott Rolffs Lynville, IA

Matt Andrews Tunkhannock, PA Don Mealey Norwalk, IA Nathan and Jessica Graham New Virginia, IA Brenda Haney Norwalk, IA Chase McDonald Chariton, IA Dan Krettek Elkhart, IA Dan Folkman Bondurant, IA Rick Cerwick Waukee, IA Gary Rankin Waterloo, IA Brian Skellenger Greenfield, IA Kevin Nolan Van Horne, IA Randy Mcpherren Unionville, IA Taaffe Caligiuri Osceola, IA Charles Sligh Urbandale, IA Kevin Anderson Huxley, IA Dennis Bailey Mason City, IA Chris Dunkin Hamilton, IA Roger and Susan Parker Story City, IA Randy Nessler West Branch, IA Dustin and Richele Loftus Indianola, IA Paul Kostelecky Lineville, IA Derek Dolan Mc Gregor, IA John Fletcher Goldfield, IA Ron Steege Harpers Ferry, IA James Bartlett Des Moines, IA Jordan Schwark Nora Springs, IA Loren Wakeman Centerville, IA Joe Kingsbury Cale Perry Waukee, IA Keith Beam Sauk City, WI

Garry Brandenburg Albion, IA Benjamin Adams Chariton, IA Chelsea Wilder Newton, IA Branden Knight Shenandoah, IA David Hoffman Clear Lake Christian Thurnau Nora Springs Nick Williams Waukee Randy DeVries Pella Jake Steede Oskaloosa Ben Adams Chariton, IA Matt Doxtater Bloomfield, IA Matt Koenig Hampton, IA Jeremy Swan Prairie City, IA Nick Williams Waukee, IA Zac Binder St Charles, IA Wyatt Hollander Indianola, IA Heath Martin Osceola, IA Tor Pointdexter Indianola, IA Jake Riley Lewisburg, TN Warren Rush Prole, IA Marty Edwards

Kellerton IA Dan Mork Sac City, IA Scott Helms Decorah, IA Bill Manske Algona. IA.

Greg Hraha Indianola IA Robert Cappelli

Weatherford TX Joshua Brink Waukon, IA Dennis Bartch Foristell, MO Daniel Hawthorne Winterset, IA Christian Overholtzer Granger, IA

Mike Nichols Van Meter, IA Brent Wykert North Liberty,IA

Souix City, IA Lucas Hinke Bondurant, IA

Ritch Stolpe Sioux City, IA

Randy Nessler West Branch, IA

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IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION RELATED INFORMATION BOARD MEMBERS Loren Wakeman, President 2021 S 15th Street Centerville, IA 52544 712-441-2873 Lorenwaken1981@gmail.com Larry Krohn Solon, IA 52333 319-360-1707 lwkrohn11@gmail.com John LaBar West Des Moines Denny Bradley Ottumwa, IA 52501

JD McDonald Chariton, IA 50049 641-203-1029 jdmcdonald67@gmail.com Jon Christensen Mount Ayr, IA 50854 319-325-3389 jonchristensen53@gmail.com Randy McPherren Unionville, IA 52594 641-895-4242 rpmcpherren@iowatelecom.net

Randy Taylor, Vice President, Editor 9965 Shrine Street Reasnor, IA 50232 641-793-2736 tayphoto@netins.net

Christopher Erickson Des Moines, IA 50310 christopherserickson@gmail.com

Dave Hoffman Clear Lake, IA 50428 641-231-1914 cell dhoffman1008@gmail.com

Terry Koppes, Secretary Eldora, IA 50627 641-858-7182 Tmkoppes@heartofiowa.net Ben Low, Treasurer 1501 N 23rd St Clear Lake, IA 50428 641-858-6208 ibatreasurer@gmail.com

Chase McDonald Newton, IA Mike Fairchild Runnells, IA Larry Rosauer La Porte City, IA

Dexter Yaddof Mediapolis, IA 50257 563-528-4296 d.yaddof@yahoo.com

Becoming a junior area representative is not a free ride so to speak, but does include some expectations and responsibilities. New ideas are always welcome and hopefully these youngsters will be able to provide some to our organization. Providing feedback by means of the Iowa Bowhunter newsletter is one way of keeping in touch and relaying information to other young members of the IBA. Providing pictures, writing an article, and helping out at events are all ways to get involved. An example would be to write about an experience at an NASP tournament, or the Fall Festival, or one of your hunting excursions. As always, you don’t have to be a junior area rep to provide articles, pictures, or other information.That is welcome from all members. Congratulations to these young people and welcome to the junior area rep venture. JUNIOR AREA REPRESENTATIVES RELATED INFORMATION

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IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION RELATED INFORMATION

Name_________________________________ Age_____________ Address________________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________________ All entries must be postmarked by February 28th

1. You must be a member, in good standing, at the time you harvest your entry. 2. All game must be taken within the rules of fair chase. 3. All entries must he postmarked by Feb. 28th. 4. All P&Y entries must be on P&Y or B&C score sheet and signed by an official scorer. 5. All entries must he accompanied with photo. Information must he written on back of photo. (Name, address, award). 6. All applicants must be at FALL Banquet to receive an award.

7. All age restrictions are at time of harvest. 8. All late season animals that require drying time for entry will qualify for next years banquet. 9. Entrant must submit this application with photo. 10. Entries for Photo Contest must be delivered prior to Banquet date. Unless other arrangements made NOTE: • Acceptance of awards application will require the following of all rules (No Exceptions) • I.B.A. is not responsible for entries lost in the mail.

BIG BUCK AWARDS a. Men’s Division b.

BIG GAME (Certificate) a. For the FIRST big game animals of a species 16 YEARS AND UNDER AWARD (Certificate) a. Awards given for any Iowa Whitetails or Turkeys MASTER BOWHUNTER (Certificate) a. Five different species of big game animals (no turkeys) Deer must be forked or better EXPERT BOWHUNTER (Certificate) a. Iowa Whitetail deer only b. Must accumulate 8 points in a 3 year period c. Points are earned as follows: 4 points for a P&Y buck 3 points for a forked buck or better 1 point for doe May use 1 doe per award P&Y SCORE PTS., WEIGHT TOM/ HEN OR ANY OTHER INFO b.

BIG FISH AWARDS (Certificate) a. First place men’s division b. First place women’s division c. First place youth division (17 years & under) d. All entries must be weighed on scales legal for trade and signed by a witness.

Women’s Division Youth Division

c. d. e.

Minimum of 125 P&Y points Printable photograph Awards-given-for-Typical & Non-Typical in each Division Only top 3 places in each division receive plaques.

f.

PHOTO CONTEST a.

g.

Wildlife division (Certificate) Still life division (Certificate) Hunting scene (Certificate) Trail Camera Division Best in show (Plaque) All photos must be 8x10 inches

BIG GAME AWARDS (Certificate) a. All big game animals must meet P&Y minimum scores

b. c. d. e.

BIG TURKEY AWARDS a. 1st place plaque b.

f.

All others receive cert.

c.

Must be weighed and measured the same as IDNR rules. Send copy of form.

DATE MONTH

LOCATION COUNTY, STATE

WITNESS

Type of award or animal

MAIL ENTRIES TO: IBA Awards, c/o Randy Taylor; 9965 Shrine St; Reasnor, IA. 50232 Photos for awards are to be mailed to Randy Taylor at same address as above or email tayphoto1950@gmail.com.

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