Information for the Iowa Deer Classic 2013

Good day folks! I received some information about advance ticket purchases for our annual "Iowa Deer Classic" back before Christmas. Now, I believe it is time to get that information out to other interested parties in case they didn't receive the email themselves since we are in the eleventh hour. At less than a week away, if you haven't already added it to your social calendar, maybe now would be a good time.

We all know the deer hunter, or huntress in our families don't always get everything they want for Christmas, or they would like to do some planning for the future, this venue would be a fantastic chance to checkout products up close. 

A positive opportunity ,The Classic has become one of the top National gatherings for Whitetail Deer hunters to share experiences,find product, and plan for In or Out of State hunts/fishing trips of one kind or another.

Iowa Deer Classic 3-D  March 7, 2009

Mark your calendar…Get your bow ready for some 3-D competition,get your biggest buck ready, pull out the fruits of your shed hunting, and join your friends at the Iowa Deer Classic, March 1-3 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines!

                                                               The Iowa Deer Classic 2013

* Click Iowa Events Center  to.find out where this event is being held and  get tickets to avoid long lines.      
   Find out what it takes to display your trophy bucks and monster sheds during this three day happening..
* You can now find Iowa Deer Classic on Facebook - www.facebook.com/IowaDeerClassic.
* Do you Tweet? Head over to the Iowa Deer Classic Twitter site and add them to your friends list -                www.twitter.com/iowadeerclassic   
* Last, but definitely not least  you can still  stay connected at  www.iowadeerclassic.com .... 
 

                                                                2013 Show Hours 

                                      Friday, March     1st  - 3 PM to 9 PM 
                                      Saturday, March 2nd - 9 AM to 7 PM 
                                      Sunday, March   3rd  - 9 AM to 4 PM 


                                                                 General Admission
                                     
                                     Admission $12 
                                     Youth ( 10 to 15) $5 
                                     Kids under 10 Free 
                                     Big Buck Contest Tickets $20 + 3-day pass 
                                     Friday Night is Ladies Night! All Ladies are admitted FREE! 

                                                                 Event Registration 

                                    Big Buck Contest:     Friday 3pm thru Sunday 11am 
                                    Shed Antler Contest: Friday 3pm thru Sunday 11am


                                                                 Hy-Vee Hall 2009

Longbow Legend Byron Ferguson

Since these pictures were taken,  Hy-Vee Hall has undergone some expansion to accommodate venues such as the Iowa Deer Classic with more floor space, more room for vendors and visitors...A plus since it has become such a popular event.

Come check it out!

Saylorville Lake Eagle Watch

Recently, I took the time to visit the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center to checkout the current ice conditions.Reading about them in my weekly fishing news from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources made me a bit curious. First hand knowledge was apart of my agenda for that day.

The Center was closed when I stopped,wintertime hours are limited to special events.

 Since the building wasn't open I took off for

 the lake overlook. Along the pathway I came across an area filled with multiple bird feeding stations. All the feeders were lined with hungry occupants, that is until my presence put them to flight. They didn't stay away long after I tarried at a distance.

As I walked beside the feeders I heard a bird call that I didn't recognize.

However, for the most part the birds I saw were familiar to me, because their family members would visit my winter feeders when I pursued that hobby.

Warnings to keep off the ice were posted in more than one place. One on the door of the building pictured at the top, and more than one mention was taped to the windows of the marquee in front of me.

In other Iowa lake locations vehicles have been removed after breaking through what their owners  believed to be sturdy ice layers. Our run of above normal temps kept people guessing as to what they  would find on their fishing trips.

Authorities did a great job of keeping us informed with their reports.

Pictured to the right is the earthen Saylorville Dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

On this day I saw three Eagles either sitting on the ice, or flying to open water. I didn't remember the binoculars, but definitely will add them to the list if I do head out to do more observing.

Facing northeast on the overlook I found open water not far from the shoreline.

Snapping pictures became a challenge with wind whipping and a few flurries sprinkling the air on this afternoon.

I had enough of the elements! Getting a chill I went back to the car to get me warmed up again.

Facing south towards downtown Des Moines,IA

Heading off  to explore some more , I took a right out of the parking lot, pointing the car in the direction of the dam.

Getting a little more than halfway onto the dam I pulled off the highway into a visitor's overlook parking space.

I sat and watched for  geese, and ducks, known to be in the area often at this time of year, under these weather conditions. My wait didn't provide any evidence they were around...at least not here.

Activity around the dam wasn't extremely busy, but a few like minded individuals were out taking advantage of the lack of snow to do some sightseeing.

The Saylorville Visitor Center will be open tomorrow afternoon February 24th,2013,from 12:00 - 4:00 P.M.

The Annual Saylorville Lake Eagle Watch tour will begin at the Visitor Center with a theater show and an Eagle aptitude test. Spotting scopes will be available to see the Eagles soaring over the lake and the opportunity to see an eagle presentation will be available at the Jester Park Lodge.

Eagle watch sponsors are reminding individuals  to pickup your Eagle Watch Passports at any of the stops and when it has been completed take it back to where you began at the Saylorville Visitor Center on the eastside of the dam, on Horseshoe Road, off Highway 415, to enter a drawing to win prizes. For more information please call (515)276-4656.

Here's wishing you many Eagle sightings wherever you might be...Have a great day!