Iowa Heartland Chapter of Women on the Wing

04/09/2026

Upland hunters have raised valid concerns about vague language written into the current Farm Bill proposal that would have impacts on the training of bird dogs and hunting dogs.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to ensure that clarifying language will uphold America’s hunting heritage, while contributing to a strong Farm Bill that is good for farmers, wildlife, rural economies and hunters.

Click the link below to read the following article from Farm Progress Daily on what’s being done to get the language changed and the role of The Habitat Organization in this process: https://bit.ly/4cBVCSn

03/20/2026

Our friends over at Ankeny Izaak Walton League are having a fun shoot Saturday! It's great weather, please stop by for a visit and the volunteers onsite will show you around.

The weather forecast looks great for this upcoming Saturday, so how about some Open 5-Stand? That's right, Saturday, March 21st from 8:00 AM until Noon! We'll also have a trap field open for those who'd rather shoot trap.

$6.00 for members, $9.00 for non-members.

03/19/2026

Some members of Iowa Heartland Chapter of Women on the Wing were in attendance at the Hunter Ed. Instructor course this evening. One of our members, Therese Hong Tran was featured in the slide show for her participation in one of Iowa Department of Natural Resources FIRST Field to Fork program!

Glad to have women like this passing on their skills.

03/15/2026

Food for thought.

Do you ever wonder how different your life and hobbies would be if you had been raised differently?

If my dad hadn't been a hunter, or if I'd grown up in a city -- would I have ever hunted or had the same outdoor hobbies and lifestyle? Or would I be a completely different person.

I like to think that the things we're meant to do will find us eventually, and we'll always be who we're meant to be no matter the circumstances. It's hard to imagine ever living differently than I do right now. But it's food for thought.

In an alternate universe, would you still be a hunter?

03/15/2026

03/14/2026

03/13/2026

Iowa Heartland Chapter of Women on the Wing was honored to have our chapter featured in the Pheasants Forever national magazine.

It takes a village to grow a chapter and we really appreciate the partnerships we've developed over the last two years.

Shout out to Ankeny Izaak Walton League, Polk County Conservation, Iowa BOW, She Goes Outdoors Podcast, and of course our partner chapter, Northern Polk Pheasants Forever.

Thanks to those volunteers who subscribe to the idea that:

"Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Julie Ann Graesch, Megan Garrett, Kayse Hyler, DB River, James Meek, Joshua Young, Rosie Chicas and many others!

If you're interested in camaraderie, conservation, or just have a goal to spend more time outdoors in 2026, please reach out to us or our President Amy Buckendahl.

We'll get you on our email list for the monthly newsletter and will hopefully see you at our upcoming events!

03/05/2026

A 13-year-old bird dog trainer is funding public access one cookie at a time.
At National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, most conversations revolve around bird dogs, habitat, and the next great upland hunt. This one goes further. Brooke Bartels, a young dog handler deeply involved in NAVHDA International, is turning homemade cookies into real dollars for wildlife habitat and public hunting access.

Listen now at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://bit.ly/4uaETgW

“On the Wing Podcast” is proudly fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs

02/27/2026

Iowa Heartlands partner chapter Northern Polk Pheasants Forever is having their 37th annual charity banquet tonight.

We donated some custom made pillows, a falconry adventure and habitat management opportunities for the Women's raffle.

Come see us tonight!

02/27/2026

Iowa DNR is seeking volunteers for their Frog and Toad Call Survey!

Volunteers must attend training. Before registering, you can check out a list of existing routes in your county and see which may need a monitor. If there are no available routes near you, you can design your own route!

Virtual Workshops include Saturday, March 7, 12:30PM-4:00PM and Monday, March 9, 6:00PM-9:30PM

https://www.iowadnr.gov/programs-services/volunteer-opportunities/wildlife-monitoring