Marshall County’s newest naturalist is Emma Bruck, a recent resident of Johnston and a recent graduate from Iowa State University. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Global Resource Systems and Environmental Studies in May 2022.

At a recent introductory program and presentation last Tuesday, Bruck gave the audience a review of how her interests in conservation became her reason for the field of studies she accomplished at ISU, and she highlighted recent travel and learning experiences with a slide show to contrast the differences in societies, lifestyles, and attitudes toward the environment in the countries of the Netherlands of Europe, Uganda in Africa, and Costa Rica in Central America.

This travel course was part of Iowa State University’s ongoing world connections and outreach programs. In each country special tours were pre-arranged to observe agronomy operations, and how conservation efforts impact how local populations adapt to day to day living.

Emma Bruck says her goal is to help people connect to the outdoors and to help elevate their passion for conservation. Favorite programs include leading outdoor hikes that highlight Iowa’s wildlife, plant life and aquatic systems.

Continuing education, and lifelong learning are all aspects of nature. The need for vital natural resource promotion and protection are her goals. She is glad to be part of the Marshall County Conservation team.

To assist her are several mentors from the past. The Marshall County Conservation Board hired its first naturalist in 1981, a position dedicated to outdoor education.

The first naturalist was Judy Levings, who served from 1981-1986. Levings subsequently continued her own studies and obtained both master’s and doctorate degrees from ISU. She was followed by Diane Hall, who made a 30 year career of outdoor conservation education from 1986- 2016.

After Diane’s retirement, Emily Herring stepped in from 2016 through early 2023. Herring was promoted to the Director’s position in early 2023 after the retirement of Mike Stegmann, and the line of dedicated staff now takes on and welcomes Emma Bruck into her new role.

You can look forward to a wide array of conservation programs in the years ahead. The MCCB publishes a quarterly newsletter titled Seasons. Within its pages are notes about conservation programs planned for this spring.

The summer issue will soon be available with its schedule of things to do, things to learn, and local natural places to visit. Examples will be prairie hikes, wildflower investigations, birding, and much more.

To sign up for the free newsletter, contact the MCCB office located at the Grimes Farm and Conservation Center by calling 641-752-5490 or send an email to mccb@marshallcountyia.gov.

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A hunter safety class, one of the traditional classroom and outdoor hands on activities, was recently completed last weekend. This type of class is geared for young people ages 12 through 18, but open actually to anyone of any age who wants to receive certification from Iowa for hunter safety.

In today’s photo, young folks were intently observed as they went through the steps to learn safe firearm handling techniques and a host of other outdoor related things they need to know. The Thursday evening session always features conservation law enforcement information from a state conservation officer — in this case, it was Brett Reece.

An additional slide program tells the story of the history of conservation, its storied past, biological facts, and exciting future. Additional pertinent videos concerning everything from first aide to methods to hunt safely are shown.

Next comes the Saturday day long outdoor class which focuses on safe firearm handling while preparing for any hunt. Instructors emphasize safety above all else, telling class participants to continually think about what they are doing.

Simulated fence crossings are demonstrated. Clay bird shooting with shotguns is accomplished, a first time experience for most of the class members, and some get to see a clay bird target fly off into the sky and burst into pieces from a hit by shotgun pellets.

Other firearms capabilities are demonstrated along with showing the penetration power of an arrow flying through a bucket filled with sand, while bullets do not penetrate that same sand. The class members afterward search the sand for bullet fragments.

Next is a display of archery equipment, different bows, arrow types varieties and tree stand safety is illustrated. An imitation fake blood trail, previously set up for the class, is followed by the class to locate a simulated deer shot by an arrow, and after lunch, handgun information is offered, as well as additional long gun information and videos.

The day winds down with a review of test questions and then the test is taken. Scores are obtained, for which normally everyone is well versed enough to pass, and a certificate of satisfactory completion is provided.

For young folks, this testing and certification allows them at age 16, or when they turn 16, to purchase their own hunting license, either in Iowa or in other states. The emphasis of a class always tells those attending to remain vigilant and safe with any firearm, to always strive to learn more, and to always practice safe practices.

Between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022, there were 215 hunter safety classes conducted all over the State of Iowa. Those classes certified 9,367 students.

Following is a breakdown of other class offerings, or options, for people to consider. There are course types to help fit the need and time available for every student.

For starters, the classroom course is a compilation of lectures, visual aides and hands-on activities to cover all the elements required. It is set up to take anywhere from eight to 12 hours, over several days with a field day incorporated into the mix along with live fire at a range.

This course is best for students ages 11-17. Those age 11 can take the course, and at their next birthday, age 12, will be sent their certification. Marshall County Ikes typically have three hours on a Thursday evening and seven hours on the following Saturday.

Next in course offerings is an online course and a separate field day. People using this option can print off a voucher of their online work, and bring that to a field day at a later date. Registration ahead of time for a field day is required. It is best for a student to locate a field day and register for that before taking the online course.

There is a charge for this service. To find out more go to www.ilearntohunt.com.

Another option is for adult online study and testing. This is for adults who already have some prior or firearm experience.

This also works in tandem with a dual goal for both hunter education and handgun safety online courses. This is for adults age 21 or over. Check out the details to enroll at www.concealedcarry-ed.com/iowa.

Archery enthusiasts can take an Online Bowhunter Education Course. In 2021-22, students for this option numbered 244. Iowa does not currently require Bowhunter Education to bow hunt, so most students take this course to increase their knowledge and skills, or to fulfill another state, or Canadian regulation requirement.

Before scheduling an out-of-state bow hunt, it is a very good idea to determine if that state or province requires a completed bow hunt education course.

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For some who qualify for firearms competitions, check these out. A busy summer is already on the schedule for trap or skeet shooters.

The State Scholastic Action Shooting Program Tournament (rifle and pistol) is set for June 3-4 at the Olofson Shooting Range at Polk City. Next is the State Scholastic Clay Target Tournament June 6-11 at the Iowa State Trapshooting Association at Cedar Falls, then at Waukee’s Pioneer Gun Club on June 15-17 is the State Scholastic Sporting Clay Tournament.

June 22-25 are the dates for the State Scholastic Clay Target Program Skeet Tournament, also to be held at the Waukee New Pioneer Gun Club.

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A final tally for Iowa spring wild turkey harvests by hunters is in the books. Iowans hunted with a bow or with a shotgun for this biggest game bird.

The statewide total was 14,843 tom turkeys. Marshall County hunters took 101. The highest county take was in Allamakee (far northeast Iowa) with 549. The lowest take was in Osceola County with just one.

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Free fishing weekend is coming up on June 2-4. No license is required in most cases. Trout fee privileges still apply as well as daily limits. Do review an Iowa Fishing Regulations booklet for other details and information concerning Iowa’s fishery resources.

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“You might as well fish a little while; you’ll be dead forever.” — Paul Quinnett, author of the book Fishing Lessons, Insights, Fun and Philosophy from a Passionate Angler.

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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

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