My wife and I observed all sizes of people on the frozen lake ice, from kids in strollers to grandparents and happy teenagers. If meandering around the kite owners did not offer one another a great photo opportunity, then they missed the boat. Cameras and cell phones captured those colorful kites well. Fantastic memories were cemented into the memory banks of everyone.

For folks who have been to Clear Lake to see kites flying, do avail oneself of the free parking area near the high school, and the free shuttle service to and from the lakefront. We had to stand in line for a long time for the next available bus. It was worth it, and warm clothes helped tremendously to ward off chilly air.

Another hint: add one more layer to your entire body than what you think you will need. Once our bus got downtown, it was easy to see why the shuttle was a great idea. There were cars everywhere and parking places were non-existent. Food vendors were doing a brisk business.

Every business downtown was filled to the brim. Private homeowners in the area must just resolve themselves to not go anywhere because there was no way for them to get out of the driveway. Walking always works. For those willing and dressed for the weather, walking ensured you would get to the lake and see multi-colored kites.

Kites will return to Clear Lake next year. Planning is already underway for 2023. If Mother Nature cooperates, very thick lake ice will allow kite flyers and kite watchers to have a large open space for launching kites into the air. When living in Iowa, adaptation to the weather is a fact of life. Adjusting to the conditions of winter weather does not stop adventurous people from enjoying the outdoors.

A living bald eagle will be coming to Le Grand’s Pioneer Library on Mar. 6. This is the rescheduled date for its appearance that was unfortunately postponed from several weeks ago. Now the eagle and its handler will be back to make good on this public, free presentation about eagles and other big birds of prey.

This particular eagle was injured several years ago and rehabilitation to return to the wild was not possible. So it has become an ambassador to help inform people about avian raptors large and small. The time for the eagle program is 2 pm at the library meeting room in Le Grand.

I have checked at least one bald eagle nest for occupancy, and yes, an eagle was observed sitting on the top of a huge bundle of sticks that has accumulated over many years. That nest is located in a huge oak tree not too far from Minerva Creek near the south end of Mormon Ridge Road. Go west on 160th Street from Mormon Ridge Road, or travel west from Marshalltown on E-29 (190th St.) to county road S-62 (Hopkins Ave), then north three miles to 160th St, then east about one mile.

Look toward the south side about a fourth of a mile distance. The big nest is clearly visible. Use good binoculars or spotting scope to observe the nest and its occupants. The eagle pair using this nest have probably got an egg or two to keep warm. Hatching will take place in about one month, hopefully just in time for the return of spring weather.

Trail cameras are popular with hunters. These 24/7 cameras can take still images or video to record critters big and small passing through an area of interest. The technology has grown to be more exact and timely, with some devices having real time messages sent to the owners personal cell phone or other devices. There comes a point when this technology bumps up against the time honored principles of fair chase.

So here is what two top record keeping organizations have done about maintaining high ethical standards for hunters to abide by. The official policy of the Pope and Young Club and the Boone and Crockett Club states: the use of any technology that delivers real-time location data (including photos) to target or guide a hunter to any species or animal in a manner that elicits an immediate (real-time) response by the hunter is not permitted. If evidence is discovered that a potential record book animal was taken inconsistent with any fair chase guideline, that entry is not allowed or will be stricken from the record books.

Does this policy prohibit trail camera use? No. As long as the intent and actual use of the camera is just to monitor what critters are in the area, and much later that day or even days or weeks later, the hunter arrives at his/her stand or blind to sit and wait.

There is never a predetermined knowledge that a deer, for instance, will pass by the hunter as if on a schedule. Nature being what it is, deer may travel other routes that day, or not all. Hunting experiences are defined by the unpredictable relationship between predator and prey.

There are several states, Arizona and Utah specifically, that specify when trail cameras may be used and when those devices must be removed. For Utah, trail camera use is not allowed between Jul. 31 and Dec. 31 for the purposes of hunting. There are certain exceptions as specified in that state’s rules.

In Arizona several years ago during an archery elk hunt, I asked my guide as we approached a series of waterholes, if any trail cameras were likely to be in use. He said yes. He and his outfitter did not have cameras at these sites, but he assured me others did.

Sure enough, at our first stop, and while walking around the “tank,” the western definition of a ponded area, we not only found a trail camera, we found the entire pond surrounded by about six of the 24/7 devices.

Those owners found our images later as we ignored the cameras and went on our way to another site. My next question to my guide was: are there any unknown water holes in Arizona? He said absolutely not. There are no secret spots. Everything is mapped and pinpointed on someone’s electronic device. Arizona has strict rules now if force of when and if trail cameras may be used.

Is the situation allowing some hunters to try to gain unfair advantage for a big game animal? Perhaps, and that is why state natural resource departments are taking a closer look at the ethics of hunting and doing what they can to enhance and promote fair chase.

Fair chase is central to this discussion. It is the accepted expression of how a hunt is conducted, so the hunter must apply their woodsmanship skills, knowledge of the animal and knowledge of the habitat to prepare for an opportunity that is far from a guarantee.

Some say that new technologies help to ensure quick, humane kills. Others say those devices may undermine the fundamental precept of fair chase. Advances in all kinds of technologies may make our lives easier, more comfortable or more efficient.

When hunting, however, one important aspect that makes hunting vastly different from other human activities is that of personal accountability that comes from taking the life of a wild animal. How we hunt, and what we hunt with, are therefore things that need to be assessed with reference to our own conscience.

From the perspective of state natural resource agencies, they want to ensure that technology does not push success rates to the point where seasons or permit numbers need to be reduced, that hunters remain safe, and to uphold the tenets of fair chase. It is also vital that society as a whole know and understand that the rules of fair chase set a high bar both for the hunter and the natural resource agencies.

The Iowa Deer Classic is next weekend, Mar. 4, 5 and 6, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Show doors open on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. This is always an outstanding show focusing on Iowa deer, deer habitat and deer management.

The big buck contest is popular with whitetailed deer taken in recent years. All entries are categorized as to how they were taken, scored and then displayed for award purposes. A long row of impressive deer antlers is guaranteed to impress the visitors. Vendors will be at their booths to provide information to the visitors. The Deer Classic is an excellent later winter event to attend.

Advice from a snowman: be a happy, jolly soul; spend time outdoors; stay cool; avoid meltdowns; be well rounded; live well, life is short.

Garry Brandenburg is the retired director of the Marshall County Conservation Board. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS degree in Fish & Wildlife Biology.

Contact him at:

P.O. Box 96

Albion, IA 50005