Happy New Year 2024!

                                                       Happy New Year one and all!

       As I stop to reflect over this last year there's much, I wish could be different, as in every year. But thankful for being able to walk through the events.

       Do I have magnificent words of wisdom to impart to everyone? Maybe not, hopefully I can share something that will be of value to give a thought to ponder. Hopefully I can say something a time or two that might bring a smile to your lips, if only for a moment.

       We are experiencing some of the most incredible times that we've ever had the chance to be a part of in history. In these times of fluctuating ups and downs find the focus where you have a positive influence directing your path. Keep your focus even when the circumstances are trying to change who you need or want to be.

       Bringing 2023 to a close here at Timber Life with a resounding AMEN and opening the door to welcome in the New Year 2024. God Bless!

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

                                                     Happy New Year 2024!

Iowa Shotgun Season One Opening

 I reflect nostalgically on the beginning of my Timber Life Blog on December 7, 2006,   which began my thoughts about how I felt being in the field, hunting.  One of the greatest driving forces for beginning the Blog was my interest in the wildlife surrounding us, especially the White-tail Deer population. 

My interests and subject matter have varied overtime but the continued interest is still to share what I see in the natural world in which we live and breathe. When the animals struggle to exist, so shall we.

I myself may not hunt to harvest these days, however, I hunt and track with my prior knowledge of walking the hills and valleys. I'm aware of the health of the animals that use our ground as home during the rutting season. I sit and observe, at times I'm the one being observed.

It is with concerned awareness that the Iowa DNR has begun testing for CWD - Hunter's Field Guide. Cumulative testing results are being reported by the Iowa DNR starting back in 2013, to the present. The map indicating cases of CWD has shown isolated cases spread throughout the State, bringing to question how it could exist in populations so far apart? I'm glad to know that steps are being taken to understand how the disease travels and what impact it could have on the deer, other fauna and humankind as well.

                                             Iowa Deer Hunting Seasons 2023-2024

2023 Seasons	Season Dates	License On-Sale Dates
Youth Season	Sept 16 - Oct 1, 2023	Aug 15 - End of Season
Disabled Hunter (Requires a permit)	Sept 16 - Oct 1, 2023	Aug 15 - End of Season
Archery Season, Early Split	Oct 1 - Dec 1, 2023	Aug 15 - End of Season
Archery Season, Late Split	Dec 18 - Jan 10, 2024	Aug 15 - End of Season
Early Muzzleloader (residents only)	Oct 14 - 22, 2023	Aug 15 - End of Season (until quota is reached)
Late Muzzleloader	Dec 18 - Jan 10, 2024	Aug 15 - End of Season
Shotgun, Season 1	Dec 2 - 6, 2023	Aug 15 - End of Season
Shotgun, Season 2	Dec 9 - 17, 2023	Aug 15 - End of Season
Nonresident Holiday Season	Dec 24 - Jan 2, 2024	Aug 15 - End of Season (until quota is reached)

To the Iowa Whitetail Deer hunters getting out to hunt in the Iowa Shotgun Season 1 tomorrow December 2- December 6, 2023, Tag a Deer!