Gerald Schnepf, the executive director of "Keep Iowa Beautiful" talked about trash left in our great Iowa outdoors, and how we can make a difference to prevent it from becoming more of a problem than it already is. If you want more information, you can contact him at 515-323-6507 or e-mail him at gschnepf@keepiowabeautiful.com or visit their website at www.keepiowabeautiful.com

Larry Wilson, the former director of the Iowa DNR was the guest. He talked about his studies of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which did many putlic works projects in Iowa in the 1930's. They discussed reviving the CCC in today's environment. If you'd like more information about the CCC, you can contact Larry at 515-276-0243.

Julie Probasco-Sowers and Sonny Satre (sports woman and sports man of the year) were special guests on the show. Julie was the outdoor writer for the Register and Sonny is retired from the Iowa DNR and ran the state wide hunter safety education.
Also Mike Kenney from Holiday Vacations was on talking about the upcoming trip to Washington DC. If you'd like more information on the trip, call Holiday vacations at 1-800-826-2266

On November 14th of this year, I was invited to the Iowa Governor’s Pheasant Hunt in Carroll County.  There were approximately 50 hunters who made the trip resulting in the harvest of over 100 birds.  Thanks to “Pheasant’s Forever” for the promotion of this hunt. We were able to issue a check to the local chapter for more than $10,000. These were all wild birds and we appreciated the hospitality of local land owners.

I want to talk to you this month about why we don’t have a good pheasant population which I think is a result of the lack of trappers, insecticides and pesticide problems with the row crops.

However, due to the fact that pheasants are on short supply, I feel all the problems are that the insecticides and pesticides have been put on all the row crops and have affected our pheasant and quail as the DDT affected the eagles.

Also, other problems with the lack of pheasants is that there are fewer trappers. For your information, I am a life-time member of the Iowa Trappers Association and attended the 49th annual National Trappers Association Convention in Mason City from August 7th - 10th of this year. Consequently, I receive the Trappers and Predator’s magazine from the National Trappers Association and the following is a quote taken from that magazine on the prices of Iowa furs.

BEAVER: Northern section blankets at tops of $18 to $22, with southern section goods at $10 to $14 if large, super clean and fully furred and well finished. Most will be hatters.

MUSKRAT: Prices for good winters are expected to top at $2 to $2.50; some well-handled XL collections of good winters slightly higher.

WILD MINK: XL males at o tops of $8 to $10, females slightly better than half.

RED FOX: XL’s in the range of $14 to $16 for most.

GRAY FOX: Top prices in the range of $16 to $18 for Southern sections. Northern goods at $20 to $22. Buyers will be speculating and cautious.

RACCOON: Lite semi-heavies XXXL, XXL and XL I’s and II’s from Southern section expected to be trading at $8 to $10 tops. Northern section semi-heavies at $12 to $14 tops for finished pelts. Wet averages running around $8. Discount $3 to $4 for wet goods. Off colors and small sizes will see deep discounts. Buying selective.

COYOTE: The best trading at $10 and $12; and then only if bellies are clear white and fully furred. A few Northern section may see $15, but they will be rare. Very tight grade, market flooded with low-grade carryovers.” 

Thank you for all your phone calls and emails to my law office.  You may contact me personally by calling me at (515) 283-2330 or my email isdeadshotoutdoors@yahoo.com.

Have A Good Hunt And Keep On Fishing!

--DEAD SHOT
a/k/a Ron Kuntz

Deer Hunters, the Iowa Elk’s Veterans Leather Program has started another season.  Remember to ask family members and friends to save their deer hides and bring them to the lodge.

This will be the 10th year that our lodge has participated.

Our Iowa Elks did an outstanding job last year collecting over 5894 deer hides, lead the nation.  Our lodge collected 100 hides last year, not nearly as good as we have done in previous years.

Remember, all of the collected hides will be tanned and given to our veterans at Marshalltown for their leather craft program, where veterans in turn make leather crafts such as belts, billfolds, purses, coats, vests, gloves, gun cases and many other leather items.

Bring your hides to our lodge or call Larry Cramer at 515-360-1426 or Jim Natzke at 515-210-3388 and we will come and pick them up.  Help us out and we'll make this the best Elk’s Veterans Leather Program year ever!

West Des Moines Elks Lodge #2752
7400 Hickman Rd
Des Moines IA  50322
515-252-1717

LaWayne Luers was a guest on Sportsman's Notebook. LaWayne is a Taxidermist and a fishing guide. He talked about ice fishing in Iowa and the differences from summer fishing. (besides the range in temperatures, of course!)
If you'd like more information you can contact him at 515-276-4950 or check the website at www.fishbyluers.com

On Sunday, December 21st (the coldest day of 2008......) the guest on Sportsman's Notebook was Ken Herring from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Ken talked about the DNR funding and rules and regulations regarding the fish and wildlife trust fund.
If you'd like more information regarding this, you can call Ken at 281-5529 or check their website at www.dnr.com