The calls have been coming in to field offices and conservation officers for the past few weeks and will only increase as the first few weeks of June marks the peak of the deer fawning season.

Callers report finding an "abandoned" fawn in an unusual place, like a flowerbed or small patch of cover. Rest assured this is normal deer behavior.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists have investigated recent reports of dead bluegill and crappie in southern Iowa lakes.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University are looking for volunteers interested in performing night time surveys for bats in Dubuque, Pocahontas, Marshall, Franklin and Butler counties.

The survey monitors bat occurrence in key areas of the state. It began in response to declining bat population from White Nose Syndrome, among other challenges.

Thousands of Iowans will be camping and building campfires this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages campers to buy firewood from where they will burn it instead of bringing it from home.

Iowa residents can try fishing without buying a license on June 2, 3 and 4, as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.

AMES – While wildland fire season hasn't been active yet, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fire Program has been busy getting firefighters from Iowa ready to be dispatched to wildfires across the country.

Governor Kim Reynolds recently proclaimed June as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa.

Invasive species, like emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, spongy moth and oriental bittersweet threaten Iowa's ecosystem by competing with and destroying native trees and disrupting the natural complex habitat system.

The unofficial beginning to summer is just days away and that also marks the unofficial beginning of Iowa's boating season. Boaters across the state are anxious to get out on the lake after the cool and wet spring and are preparing their watercraft for the long holiday weekend.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to "Clean, Drain, and Dry" their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

By Courtney Sogard

Special to the Leader

This Memorial Day, the American Legion of Dayton will be leading a program beginning at Dayton Cemetery at 10 a.m. During the program, the middle school band will play patriotic songs and the honor guard will fire their volleys and play TAPs to honor the deceased veterans of Dayton.

Chronic wasting disease was confirmed in 96 deer that were tested during the 2022 monitoring season, including deer from three new counties – Jasper, Grundy, and Lucas. With the addition of Jasper County, chronic wasting disease has again come into central Iowa.

The Class of 2023 graduated from Southeast Valley High School this past Sunday

By Courtney Sogard

Special to the Leader

Fort Dodge - On Monday May 1, the Webster County Recorder’s Office assisted a resident with questions about a confusing letter they received, which was quickly identified as a scam and reported to local law enforcement. The letter claimed to be from “County Deed Records” with false information about the recipient’s home warranty expiration date.

Iowa rivers will soon be busy with paddlers, swimmers, and people wading to search for fossils, rocks and driftwood or to clean up litter or explore a sandbar.

DES MOINES - The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is urging Iowans to buckle up during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It or Ticket high-visability enforcement effort. The National seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is May 22 to June 4, 2023.

Iowa state parks and forests are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the outdoor summer recreation season.

DES MOINES -- There's no better place to be a kid than the Iowa State Fair, and kids love the chance to win ribbons! Kids in all age categories have a chance to enter a favorite food, photo, art project, seed art and more at the Iowa State Fair. Learn about entering a new Ag Art Contest at the Fair, as well as your favorite competitions.