Figures recently released from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources show wild turkey hunters harvested 11-thousand-800 birds this year. Wildlife biologist Jim Coffey says that’s 400 below last season. “I think that’s just kind of the case of our hunters this year — our hunters are a little bit beholden to the weather. And our second weekend we had some rainy conditions, and that’s typically one of our big weekends to be out hunting. So, that’s probably what accounted for that little bit of a drop,” according to Coffey.

He says they keep track of turkey numbers every year with a survey. “It varies across the state, and turkeys are kind of a fickle species, they are up and down every year. And that’s why we do our summer brood counts to get an idea of what to expect next year,” Coffey says. “We expected a little bit of a drop in the southern part of the state, but we had some good numbers in the northern part of the state and that kind of balances our overall when you think of statewide averages.”

There were 50-thousand turkey tags purchased for the spring hunt, but only a small percentage took home a bird. “Only about 20 percent of Iowa turkey hunters are going to be successful,” Coffey says, “and I always like to put it into a sports analogy, we are playing on their home court. They know where the draws and ravines are at, they are a predator-related species, so they know everything is trying to get after them so they are always wary and they’ve got great sense. So, it is not an easy sport to participate in.”

The weather has raised a few concerns about how well the turkeys will fair in raising their offspring. “With any ground-nesting birds, turkeys, pheasants, quail, woodcock — any of those, woodcocks included — cold, wet springs are a big nemesis,” Coffey says.

He says wild turkeys are a lot different then the domesticated ones, and their weight can vary quite a bit. He says on if you shoot a young bird known as a Jake, which will weigh about 17 pounds or an adult bird, which can weigh from 22 to 28 pounds, depending on how active they have been. Coffey says the male birds are focused on mating in the spring and will actually lose weight during the mating season.

Hunters are asked to help the D-N-R with collecting population information during its annual turkey count in July and August. You can do to the D-N-R website and report online when see a turkey.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farm groups and some members of Congress from farm states are decrying proposed cuts to crop insurance and other safety net programs for farmers included in President Donald Trump’s budget.

The proposed cuts come as farmers are facing their fourth straight year of falling income. They could particularly affect farm states such as Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska that helped Trump win the November election.

One proposal would cut the federal crop insurance program by $28 billion over 10 years. Programs that provide crop subsidies would lose $9 billion. But Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa farmer, says the crop insurance cuts won’t make it through Congress.

The Trump administration says the proposed cuts help fulfill a campaign promise to balance the federal budget.

Bob Beebensee and DNR Conservation Officer Grant Gelle talk about all things outdoors including leaving young wildlife alone, free fishing weekend, and boating safety.

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Officials from six western Iowa counties are working together to mark a 209-mile bicycle route that would run from Woodbury County to Fremont County. The Daily Nonpareil reports the Frontier Iowa Trails Network is working on the designation of the Lewis and Clark Today Route. It’ll run along the Missouri River, following the path of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

The project’s first phase will create a “shared route” that runs on highways, county roads and other types of streets. The majority of the trail would be paved. The project’s second phase will be the implementation of another bicycle trail off the roadway.

Brian Leaders of the National Park Service and others are raising money for installation of the route’s signs, which is expected to cost $200,000.

w/Max Dirks.

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Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 2, 3 and 4 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) free fishing weekend. “Free fishing weekend is a great opportunity for Iowans to reconnect with fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau. “Invite a kid, your best friend or your mom to come along. Have some fun and create new memories.”

Gather your family or friends and travel to one of the hundreds of Iowa lakes, thousands of miles of rivers or a nearby pond for a few hours of outdoor fun and relaxation. Iowans can try fishing without buying a license during free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.

“This is a great time to take kids fishing or introduce someone new to fishing,” Larscheid said. “Fish are usually close to shore and are willing to bite. Use small tackle – little hooks, a bobber no larger than a quarter, 4-pound test line and small bait to catch bluegills.

“Kids will stay interested and have fun when the fishing is good. Just let them play once the interest in fishing is gone,” he said. “It isn’t about how many fish you can catch; it’s about sharing your time and having fun together.”

Fun, hands-on fishing events will be offered across Iowa to teach parents or kids the basics of fishing. A list of fishing clinics, derbies, and other fun events co-sponsored by the DNR is available on the Special Events Application System at programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.

“We hope free fishing weekend will inspire anglers to buy an annual fishing license,” Larscheid said. This investment allows the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau to produce and stock more than 160 million fish annually, conduct research studies to manage fish more effectively, construct fish habitat, improve water quality, restore lakes with a history of poor fishing and improve access for anglers.

Find tips for taking kids fishing and catching crappie, bluegills and yellow bass on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Tips-How-Tos.

Just as one holiday ends, it is time to think about another. Campers hoping to reserve spots for the 2017 Labor Day weekend need to mark June 1 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says by June 1, some sites will already be reserved by campers arriving prior to the holiday weekend, and electric sites go quickly.

For more information on Iowa’s state parks and to make a reservation, visit www.iowadnr.gov/reservations

w/Kate Olson.

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The good eating season begins June 1st with the opening of Produce in the Park Farmers Market. It will be open every Thursday through September 28 in Atlantic City Park, 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

Seventeen vendors come from Elk Horn, Brayton, Shelby, Walnut, Oakland Wiota, Bridgewater and rural Atlantic to provide fresh, locally grown and raised, and homemade food and crafts. Some have been serving you, the consumer, for several  years and new ones are joining.

Fresh, locally grown spring produce such as greens, radishes, onions, herbs and rhubarb will be the high light. But produce also includes eggs, beef, chicken and pork. Vendors will offer home produced syrup, honey, jams and baked goods. Bedding plants will be available.

Produce in the Park requires that all food, crafts and other items be locally grown or made. Goat milk soap and personal care items, other bath and body products, handmade rugs and other home décor are some of the products available.

You can choose your evening meal from Knights of Columbus, Stone Arch Pizzeria and Hy-Vee. Wells Fargo is the June sponsor so will be offering tasting samples. The Atlantic Chamber and supporting businesses will be giving away free shopping bags.

Produce in the park is a community event offering entertainment, children’s activities and the opportunity to learn about organizations and community resources. The Atlantic Public Library will be present each week. A Farmers Market Scavenger hunt for you will also be available every week.

Senior and WIC coupons and SNAP EBT cards are all accepted by certified vendors.

For continuous information, go to Face book: produce in the park.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has started its summer water quality monitoring program at state beaches as they open for the summer. Workers take water samples to test for bacteria and toxins. If levels are too high, beaches are posted with advisories against swimming. The D-N-R’s Roger Bruner says he hasn’t seen significant changes in beach water quality.

“In the last few years, the microcystin advisories have been fairly steady. Somewhere between 94 and 95 percent of the time beaches do not need to be posted for microcystin,” Bruner says. He says levels of toxins from blue green algae have been steady in the past few years. But Bruner says bacteria levels can vary widely.

“E-coli is a little different. It’s much more variable and somewhat correlates with how much rain we get,” Bruner says. The bacteria levels can spike right after a rain, but then drop as the sun comes out. The D-N-R will update an online map through the summer with weekly test results and swim advisories.

(Radio Iowa)