DES MOINES — Iowa’s furbearer season opens Saturday and the outlook for trappers is positive – most species populations are steady, and there are some early indications wild fur pelt prices could be trending up this winter.

The challenge, however, could be that fewer marshes and streams have good water levels.

“Our water levels are similar to last year in some regions, even with a wet spring,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetland biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “These wet/dry-dry/wet swings within a year can have an impact on aquatic furbearers – otters, mink, beavers and muskrats. But the upland species – bobcats, red fox, coyotes – are much less impacted.”

Evelsizer encouraged trappers to do some preseason scouting as marsh water levels vary by location with many either dry or drying by the day.

The furbearer season is Nov. 2 to Feb. 28, 2025. Beaver trapping closes on April 15, 2025.

Mentoring young trappers

A regulation change allows youth age 15 and younger to go trapping with a licensed adult trapper without purchasing a license. This change brings trapping in line with hunting.

“This allows the youth to experience trapping to see if it is something they would enjoy without having to purchase a license,” Evelsizer said.

Each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

Gray fox study

The Iowa DNR will again be looking for live caught gray foxes as part of a pilot population study to learn more about this small, secretive woodland furbearer.

“We’re asking for the public and our trappers to contact us if they’ve recently seen a gray fox or catch a gray fox. Better yet, contact us in advance if you’re trying to catch a gray fox in your area. Private trappers are a valuable partner for this pilot project. We have one fox collared so far, and hope to add to that this year,” Evelsizer said.

The collar provides researchers with data on the fox’s movement, habitat preference and survivorship. There is a $400 reward, provided by the Iowa Wildlife Federation, for anyone who catches a gray fox that can be used for this study.

He said the fox will be released on the site where it was caught.

The DNR is also working with Iowa State University on a pilot project this winter in northeast Iowa, using cameras to track fishers and gray foxes to determine what areas these species occupy and what areas they don’t occupy in this region.

“Other regions may be surveyed in the future, depending on how this study goes,” Evelsizer said.

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Continued warm temperatures and dry conditions last week allowed for harvest to push forward at a brisk pace. While corn harvest is likely to continue well into November, soybean harvest across Iowa is nearing completion,” said Secretary Naig. “The extended lack of rainfall has resulted in drought conditions spreading across many areas, but a mid-week system has the potential to bring widespread moisture to much of Iowa. Following what is likely to be one of the driest Octobers on record, weather outlooks for early November are indicating more chances for rainfall.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Row crop harvest was ahead of normal as Iowa’s farmers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 27, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, and applying fall fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 43 percent very short, 42 percent short, 15 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Topsoil moisture condition rated at least 75 percent short to very short across the State. Subsoil moisture condition rated 34 percent very short, 46 percent short, 20 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Corn harvest for grain reached 84 percent statewide, almost a week ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the five-year average. South central Iowa farmers still have 34 percent of their corn for grain remaining to harvest, while farmers have already harvested 91 percent in north central Iowa. Moisture content of field corn being harvested was 14 percent. Iowa’s soybean harvest was nearly complete at 96 percent.

Pasture condition continued to fall and rated 19 percent good to excellent this week.  Pastures have largely gone dormant due to shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures, and dry conditions.

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging Iowans to take a simple, important step to prepare for the upcoming tax season.

IRS spokesman Christopher Miller says people should sign up now for what’s known as an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, or an IP PIN.

Miller says, “Because an IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS, it’s an extra layer of security that helps prevent the bad guys from filing a tax return using your name and Social Security number and then stealing your refund.”

He says it’s a quick, free process to set one up.

“If you’re interested in getting an IP PIN, go to the IRS website and open an online account. That’s the first step,” Miller says. “You will need to verify your identity to open an account, and then you can apply for an IP PIN.”

Miller recommends you sign up for the PIN before November 23rd, as sign up won’t be available again until early January.

“So we can process the request and get a number for you in time for the new tax season,” Miller says. “New IP PINs will be issued by the IRS in January and you will get a new IP PIN every year.”

Learn more about the option at irs.gov.