(Iowa DNR News)  – Several hunting seasons are set to begin at the end of this week (Aug. 31st) and on Sept. 1st, in Iowa. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa’s rabbit and squirrel hunting season opens this coming Saturday (8/31). The DNR says “The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the southern half of the state seeing the best overall numbers.”

Last year, an estimated 19,600 hunters harvested nearly 68,500 cottontail rabbits. The most popular way to hunt is with a shotgun walking brushy areas with grass next to crop fields in the morning or evening. It can be done individually or with a group of friends. Cottontail rabbit season is Aug. 31 to Feb. 28, 2025. The daily limit is 10 rabbits with a possession limit of 20. Jackrabbit season is closed. While wearing blaze orange clothing is not required to hunt rabbits, it is recommended. Shooting hours for rabbits is sunrise to sunset.

Local squirrel populations vary depending upon nut production and it appears to be a good nut year in many areas. Squirrels will be found around hickory trees, oaks and walnuts for their food resources. Hunters will generally find plenty of squirrels and little competition. The DNR says it would also be a good opportunity to do some scouting for a spring turkey hunt or to look for whitetail deer rubs before bow season. Squirrel season is Aug. 31 to Jan. 31, 2025, with a daily bag limit of six total or combination of red fox squirrels or eastern grey squirrels and a possession limit of 12.

Hunters looking for places to go rabbit or squirrel hunting should use Iowa’s online hunting atlas at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting, with more than 600,000 acres of public land that allows hunting.

In addition, Iowa’s Dove and Teal hunting season opens on Sept. 1st. Dove season is Sept. 1-Nov. 29. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily bag limit is 15 (mourning or Eurasian collared) with a possession limit of 30.

Hunters are reminded that their gun must be plugged to hold no more than three shells. If hunting public areas north of I-80, hunters should check to see if nontoxic shot is required. The Iowa online Hunting Atlas at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Places-to-Hunt-Shoot identifies all county, state and federal land open to hunting, zone information and nontoxic shot requirements.

All dove hunters are required to register with the migratory Harvest Information Program (HIP). It’s free, fast and the information is used to help determine participation and harvest. Go to www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds to register.

Iowa’s statewide teal only hunting season is Sept. 1-16, providing hunters of all ages and experience an opportunity to enjoy time in the wetlands, ahead of the regular duck season. Only teal are legal during this season and shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset, which is different than the regular duck seasons. The daily bag limit is six teal; blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal, combined.

Hunters are required to have the state migratory game bird fee and federal duck stamp, in addition to their hunting license and habitat fee. Hunters are reminded to register for HIP (Harvest Information Program) before hunting migratory game birds (ducks, geese, mourning doves, snipe, rail and woodcock). HIP is an annual registration that is available through the Go Outdoors Iowa app, or through the Go Outdoors Iowa webpage. Hunters will need to save the HIP registration number to their phone or write it on their paper license.

Atlantic 48, Council Bluffs Jefferson 30

Boyer Valley 54, Moravia 21

Baxter 58, Springville 49

Colo-Nesco 60, Twin Cedars 0

Murray 74, Melcher-Dallas 26

(Atlantic) — Atlantic Football started the season off strong with a focused rushing attack against the Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson Yellow Jackets winning 48-30 in their season opener. A key part to their win was the commitment to the run game amassing over 300 rushing yards.

Atlantic came out in the first quarter aggressive and ready to establish a tone early. The run game immediately clicked as the Trojans committed to the I-Formation for the majority of the evening. Which methodically drove them down the field allowing Gavin McLaren to push his way through the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown score.  The Trojans were then up 7-0 and they held onto the lead for the rest of the night.

The rest of the ball game a pass first versus run first philosophy between the two teams. The second quarter brought another McLaren touchdown score after a 4th and out from T.J. in the redzone and 43-yard pass from quarterback Tristan Hayes to Jarrett Hansen putting the Trojans up 13-0. Before the end of the second quarter the Yellow Jackets did score off a 4-yard touchdown throw from Jayden Fujii to Mayson Kramer making it 13-6 at halftime.

Coming out of halftime the Trojans immediately received a shot of adrenaline from a 72-yard kick return by Hansen to set Atlantic up at the goal line. McLaren would once again plunge his way into the endzone creating a 20-6 lead for the Trojans. Towards the end of the third quarter Atlantic threw in sophomore running back Ethan McNeal who took a pitch play and turned it into a 40-yard touchdown run. The Trojans lead then turned into 27-6 and the ball game seemed over.

Before the end of the third quarter the Yellow Jackets did manage to gain another score from a 65-yard touchdown pass from Fujii to Braxton Parks off of broken coverage and with a 2-point conversion successful the game was at 27-14. The fourth quarter would turn into a slug-fest for both sides as each side continually exchanged scores. The top of the fourth quarter saw Tyson O’Brien rush his way down into T.J. territory and collect a one-yard touchdown score to put Atlantic up 34-14. T.J. then had a sharp 23-yard touchdown pass from Fujii to Jimmy Ross-Cotton slashing into the lead for a 34-22 score.

Atlantic took control for the rest of the game on both sides of the ball scoring on back-to-back drives from a 5-yard O’Brien touchdown run and 4-yard score by McLaren to put them up 48-22. The Yellow Jackets final score of the game was by backup QB Daulton Garrison to Mayson Kramer on a 40-yard seam route for a final score of 48-30.

The victory was not the smoothest with some work needing to be done by the Atlantic secondary. But, Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer was pleased with his offensive line and rushing performance.

Atlantic finished the night with 324 total rushing yards. 204 of those yards were by leading rusher Tyson O’Brien who had 2 touchdowns of his own. McLaren had 4 td’s and 78 yards on the ground from 78 attempts. Ethan McNeal’s lone touchdown carry accounted for 40 yards on its own. Coach Brummer liked the way his team shared the ball throughout the evening.

Atlantic’s next game will be against the Clarke Indians, a team they beat 47-33 a year ago. It’s a matchup that Coach Brummer is not taking lightly.

Kickoff for the Trojans battle against the Indians is set for 7:00 PM, with the pregame on KJANTV beginning at 6:30 PM.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Karl Gollan has been named an assistant coach for the University of Iowa softball team, head coach Renee Gillispie announced Friday.
“I am grateful to Renee and the entire selection committee for trusting me to help move the program forward,” said Gollan. “Iowa is my home, and I have a genuine love for the Hawkeyes. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to help grow a program that driven players want to be a part of and Hawkeye fans are proud to support.”

Gollan comes to Iowa after one year at Ole Miss where he served primarily as the pitching coach. He helped the Rebels to a 31-27 record and their eighth straight NCAA Regional appearance. The Ole Miss pitching staff finished with a 2.86 ERA and held hitters to a .249 batting average against. Gollan had four pitchers with sub 3.00 ERA in SEC Conference play with 339 team strikeouts.

Prior to Oxford, Gollan served as the head coach for the Augustana softball program. He helped turn around the program that was picked to finish last in the conference and guided them to a third-place finish. Winning over 20 games, three Vikings earned all-conference honors, including Nadia Ranieri, who was named CCIW Pitcher of the Year. Under Gollan, the pitching staff flourished, tying the conference single season strikeout record with 264 punchouts.

Gollan has over 25 years of international playing experience. A former member of New Zealand’s national team from 2004-2017, he helped his country remain at the top spot in the WBSC/ISF and ISC rankings. He is a four-time world champion and 10-time national champion. As a coach, Gollan assisted the NZ Black Sox and still serves as an advisor for the national team. As an advisor, his duties included player evaluations and scouting for the No. 1 ranked men’s fastpitch team in the world.

While playing professionally, Gollan coached numerous junior club teams, including Auckland United and Miramar Softball Club from 2009-13. He worked to help develop athletes as well as manage the in-game lineups and strategy.

Gollan also opened the K2 School of Fastpitch in 2006. As the owner and lead instructor for over 100 clients, he was responsible for creating all training programs and helping a majority of his athletes get recruited to play college softball at every level, ranging from JUCO to Division I.

Prior to opening his own business, Gollan worked as the co-lead pitching and lead hitting instructor with DG Softball Academy from 2003-05. One of only two training facilities approved for the USA National and Olympic teams at the time, he designed and implemented hitting and pitching programs for all students. Gollan also helped lead camps and coaching seminars.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa football All-American Don Suchy, a member of the 1956 Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion team, passed away on Aug. 8 at the age of 93.

Suchy, an offensive center from Belle Plaine, Iowa, lettered for the Hawkeyes from 1954-56 under head coach Forest Evashevski. He helped Iowa win 17 games during his career.

In 1956, Suchy was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection after leading the team to a 9-1 record. The Hawkeyes beat Notre Dame, 48-8, in the regular season finale before downing Oregon State, 35-19, in Pasadena for the first Rose Bowl victory in program history.

Suchy, who was a veteran of the United States Navy, was Iowa’s team co-captain in 1956.

In-game replay is coming to Great Plains Athletic Conference football this fall. GPAC Commissioner Corey Westra says game officials will have access to technology allowing them to review plays challenged by a coach.

Westra says each coach gets one challenge per game.

Westra says there will not be reviews initiated by a replay official.

Westra says it is a different system than what fans watch on television.

Westra says the system has limits but hopes it helps the officials get the big things right.

Two playoff teams from last season collide in a week zero eight player contest in Adel as Boyer Valley takes on Moravia. Boyer Valley coach Jeremy Christiansen.

Moravia won last year’s meeting and Christiansen says limiting mistakes will be the key.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Athletics and Hawkeye Sports Properties will host the Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz Radio Show each Wednesday evening during the 2024 Hawkeye football season. The initial show of the season will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

VUE Rooftop at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Iowa City will once again host the weekly radio show from 6:30-8 p.m. with Moon Family head football coach Kirk Ferentz and host Gary Dolphin, the play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Ferentz and Dolphin will discuss the current season, while responding to emailed and social media questions. The show is open to all fans. Fans can submit questions by via Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #HawkTalk, or by commenting on the show post each week.

There will not be a show on Sept. 25 and Nov. 13, due to bye weeks on the Hawkeye schedule.

Fans can attend the shows in person, listen live on the Hawkeye Radio Network, or watch on KCRG 9.2 or the official YouTube page of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Cyclones and Bulldogs played to a draw on Thursday evening in Iowa’s capital city, tying 1-1.

Iowa State (1-1-1) walks away from its first road contest of the season with its first draw in a game where it outshot the opponent and, for the most part, controlled the second half of play. Drake (0-1-2) was unable to grab its first win of the season in its second-straight home contest.

For the third straight game, Iowa State struck first, as Morgan Furmaniak sent a sliding right-footed goal into the bottom right of the net, just past Drake’s keeper. The Cyclones have now scored in the first half in all three games this season. Junior Magdalena Keck earned her second career assist and first of the season on the play.

Furmaniak joined Keck as the only Cyclones to post multiple scores this season as both have two through three contests.

Drake attempted to counter a Cyclone runout late in the first half but ISU defenders were able to knock the ball out of bounds, forcing a throw-in. Off the throw-in, Drake’s Zoey Mahoney performed flip-throw landing the ball perfectly in foray of players. Off the bounce, Drake’s Maia Bentley sent a left-footed strike into the bottom right of the net to knot the game up at one-all.

The two teams would go into the break tied at one, with each side having four shots. The Cyclones had two first half saves to Drake’s one, while the Bulldogs had two corners to ISU’s one.

The energy picked up on each side in the second half, as the stanza featured four yellow cards, two on each side. Each team had plenty of chances, as both teams surpassed their first half shot totals.

In the second half, each team had what would have been a go-ahead goal wiped off the board due to offside calls as the score remained knotted.

Play continued to be back and forth as each side traded quality looks. As it came down to the final moments of the contest, Iowa State found itself with a favorable advantage with under a minute to play.

The ball eventually found Michigan Tech transfer Seulgi Lee, but the newcomer was unable to convert as the ball sailed over the crossbar.

The Lee shot would be the last attempt from either side, as the game went on to end in a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Iowa State: Morgan Furmaniak – 24’ (2)
Drake: Maia Bentley – 38’ (1),

Assists
Iowa State: Magdalena Keck (1)
Drake: Zoey Mahoney (1)

Up Next
The Cyclones will return home for their next contest, welcoming the UNI Panther to the Cyclone Soccer Complex this Sunday, Aug. 25. Sunday’s match is set to kick off at 6 p.m., will be streamed on ESPN+ and will be free to attend.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – No. 24 University of Iowa Soccer tied Western Michigan, 1-1, on Thursday afternoon. The Hawkeyes move to 1-0-1 on the season.

Senior Meike Ingles wasted no time scoring a goal in the 3rd minute of the game. The goal was assisted by senior Kenzie Rolling and sophomore Millie Greer. The goal marks Ingle’s second goal of the young season. Ingle’s two goals are tied with freshman Berkley Binggeli for the most on the team.

Western Michigan tied the game at one a piece with a goal form graduate Jen Blitchok in the 30th minute.

At halftime the game stayed tied at one a piece. Iowa outshot the Broncos eight to four in the first 45 minutes. Both goalies had a pair of saves a piece.

The Hawkeyes dominated Western Michigan in the box score, out shooting them 17-4 in the second half and 25-8 for the game. Ava Wilberding of Western Michigan had six saves in the second half for the Broncos. The Hawkeyes had four corner kicks compared to Western Michigan’s one in the second half.

Freshman Berit Parten led the way for Iowa with six shots and three shots on goal. Rolling had five shots and Ingles had three. Seven other Hawkeyes had one shot for the game. Graduate Macy Enneking had four saves.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI

“Credit to Western Michigan for taking their chances today. We created more than enough to win and were a bit naïve both in mentally and offensive execution.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• The Hawkeyes are now 2-0-1 against Western Michigan all-time.
• Senior Meike Ingles and freshman Berkley Binggeli lead Iowa with two goals on the season.
• Iowa is now 161-70-17 against non-conference opponents all-time.
• 90 Tracker: Sophomore Eva Pattison, senior Miah Schueller, and sophomore Millie Greer.

UP NEXT

Iowa travels to Austin, Texas on Aug. 25 to take on No. 12 Texas. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes face Florida Gulf Coast on Aug. 29 at 7:00 p.m. (CT) for Iowa’s season opener.