Ames Ikes News

Dues to Increase at Ames Ikes
August 9, 2016

The National Organization had a vote at its last annual meeting that will raise the national dues. This was necessary because while they still have money in their operating fund, that fund has been decreasing because of increased expenses and decreased revenue. Revenue has decreased by 26% or $900,868 and the organization has cut expenses by $210,000 from 2010-2015 along with cutting staff from 24 to 13 employees. As a result, of the national increase, the board at the Ames Izaak Walton League voted to increase the dues to match the national increase by $10.00 for each member. Along with this, we also did an adjustment to the family membership dues to be more in line with payments by an individual. The new dues for 2017 will be $130 for an Individual membership and $175.00 for a family membership.

There has not been a dues increase at the national or local level since 2012. While none of us like paying more for dues, we understand the need for our organization to maintain a level fund to keep up with its conservation and educational offerings and mission.

Ike’s Participate in Arbor Day Activities
April 24, 2015

The Ike’s Chapter House was busy with Arbor Day activity Thursday night April 23, when 12 volunteers gathered to package 942 seedlings for delivery to Ames area 3rd and 4th grade school children on Friday, Arbor Day, April 24th. This year we gave away red oak seedlings, an excellent replacement for the Ash trees being cut down. Other years, we have given away a variety of seedlings of native trees and scrubs. The Ike’s have given seedlings to children in the Ames area regularly each year for at least 40 years.

The seedlings were obtained from the Ames State Forest Nursery in large sacks bundled in groups of 50, which must be separated, individually wrapped in a wet paper towel, put into a plastic sack, and closed with a twisty. They are then counted out according the number in each class for each school and placed in paper grocery sacks for delivery to the various schools by volunteers on Arbor Day morning. This year there were 39 grocery sacks of seedlings. The packaging supplies were donated by Hy Vee, West.

Photo:

Left to right: Adults, Tod Bertram, Paul Readhead, Jake Strohm, and 2 Scouts package seedlings.
Others who helped (not shown) were Zachary Strohm, Jen Strohm, Kyle Charter, Sandi Charter, Quentin Strohm, Zane Barker, Roger Elliott, Kevin Martin, Marvin Scott, and Bill Cook.

The Ike’s House was buzzing with Arbor Day activity Thursday night April 24, when 12 volunteers gathered to package 1000 seedlings for delivery to Ames area 3rd and 4th grade school children on Friday, Arbor Day, April 25th. This year we gave away red oak seedlings, an excellent replacement for the Ash trees cut down. Other years, we have given away a variety of seedling of native trees and scrubs. The Ike’s have given seedlings to children in the Ames area regularly each year for at lease 40 years.

The seedlings were obtained from the Ames State Forest Nursery in large sacks bundled in groups of 50 which must be separated, individually wrapped in a wet paper towel, put into a plastic sack, and closed with a twisty. They are then counted out according the number in each class for each school and placed in paper grocery sacks for delivery to the various schools by volunteers on Arbor Day morning. This year there were 45 grocery sacks of seedlings. The packaging supplies were donated by Hy Vee west.

In the Photo above, left to right: Arzy Clapp, Tom Wnuk, Steve Holmes, Arron Kester, Marv Scott, Cale Doyle package seedlings. Others who helped (not shown) were Jim Pease, Monica Reising, Bill Cook, Tod Bertram. Four youth were involved: Alex and Wyatt Holmes, Ronnie Hannagan, and Quenton Strohm

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The 2013 Olav Smedal Conservation Award Recipient
( by Michael MeeKS)

The 2013 Olav Smedal Conservation Award recipient is Pat Schlarbaum, Milford Township, Story County.
Sponsored by the Ames Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and the Story County Conservation Board, this award is presented to, "Those who, by their actions and/or their communications have done the most to accurately present to the public of central Iowa", the need and importance of sound conservation and environmental practices. These individuals, who represent the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship, and who help cultivate a sound ecological conscience, are so honored and recognized by the significance of this award.

Olav Smedal was associated with The Daily Tribune for 39 years, 22 of these years were as an outdoor writer columnist and 17 years as the outdoor editor. Ole was a member of the Outdoor Writer Association of America, and the Association of great Lakes Outdoor Writers. He was also a Founder and charter member of the Ames Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.

Because of Olav's many long-term contributions on behalf of natural resource conservation on the local, state, and national levels, The Daily Tribune established the Olav Smedal Conservation Award which is currently sponsored by the Ames Izaak Walton League Chapter and the Story County Conservation Board. For the last 2 years Karsten Smedal, Ole's son, has paid for the plaque presented to the winner and the etched name plate added each year to the plaque displayed at the County Conservation Center.

Pat Schlarbaum grew up on a farm near Garden Grove in Decatur County, Iowa. As a youth, Pat recognized the importance of Iowa's natural places. He holds a B.S. degree from Iowa State University in Animal Ecology and has worked as a member of the Iowa Department of Natural Resource's (IDNR) Non-game/Wildlife Diversity Program since 1985.

He currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the IDNR's Wildlife Diversity Program. Pat has been a key player in Iowa's Peregrine Falcon Restoration Program, the Osprey Restoration Plan, Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, American Kestrel Nest-box Program, Eastern Blue Bird Nest Box Recovery Program and many other programs.

Pat is an important participant with the Iowa State Fair Wildlife Bureau and has worked tirelessly for the past 20 years on the outdoor exhibits and in conservation outreach and education. He is one of the primary natural resource state event organizers. Some of these include the Effigy Mound's Hawk Watch, Pelican Watch, Prairie Chicken Viewing Days, and numerous bird banding and animal releases.

His Restoration, Reintroduction, and Release work has help many native species including critters like Barn Owls, River Otters and Trumpeter Swans. These are but a few of the many species and natural habitats he has helped shape.

In addition to his personal experiences and formal training, Pat's association with the First Nations communities and the mutual sharing of knowledge, has helped him develop his reverence and understanding of the creatures and their habitat needs. These abilities enable Pat to share his enthusiasm and knowledge by volunteering as an on air host and reporter covering natural resource and conservation issues for the Ames Community Radio Station, KHOI.

Pat Schlarbaum is a member of the Ames, Big Bluestem Audubon Society and many other conservation groups and continues to build on a natural legacy that our future generations can strive to enjoy and honor. He is an inspiration to us all.

Thank You, Pat!

Protocol to nominate an individual(s) for the Olav Smedal Conservation Award

The Olav Smedal Conservation Award sponsored by the Ames Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.
Contact: Michael Meetz, nomination committee chair at mcmeetz@iowatelecom.net .

Criteria: The award will seek to honor those who, by their actions or communications, have done the most to accurately present to the public of central Iowa excellence in the conservation of natural resources, the air, water, woods, wildlife, and soil; and outdoor pursuits representing the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. Preference will be given to candidates who exhibit excellence in providing public information, leadership, and/or involvement.

Nomination questions included: 1) Briefly describe the nominee's background, 2) Describe the successful program, project, or event for which the nominee was responsible, 3) What measurable results were achieved by the program/activity described in #, 4) What impact did this program or activity have on the general public of central Iowa.

Additional supporting documentation, testimony or letters of support are welcomed.

Past recipients:

1988 Dale Brentnall

1989 Bill Horine

1990 Steve Lekwa

1991 Nancy Kurrle

1992 Cele Burnett

1993 Dave Van Waus

1994 Robert Pinneke

1995 Jim Pease

1996 George Patrick

1997 Ed Powell

1998 Mike Meetz

1999 Linda and Hank Zaletel

2000 Erv Klaas

2001 Cindy Hildebrand

2002 Jim Dinsmore

2003 Todd Burras

2004 Jim Colbert

2005 John Pohlman

2006 Rick Deitz

2007 Jimmie Thompson

2008 Carl and Linda Kurtz

2009 Lloyd and Gaylan Crim

2010 Deb Lewis

2011 Tom Rosburg

2012 Marlene and Bruce Ehresman

Ames Ikes Bow Deer Hunt

2021/2022 Hunting Season

The deer bow hunt must, in no way, interfere with regular use of the park.
This is a Doe only hunt.
Ikes’ bow hunters must pass a Bow Hunter Safety class in addition to possessing a regular hunter education certificate.
Youth (Under the age of 18) may hunt if accompanied by an adult in a tandem tree stand. Both youth and adult must have Bow Hunter Safety class and Hunter Ed completed.
Must hunt from a tree stand elevated at least eight feet. Stands must be commercially made and rated for the hunter using them. No “Homemade” stands!
Stands must be affixed with a permanent tag near the ground with the hunters name and phone number legibly marked.
Stands may be placed one week before the DNR defined bow hunting season and must be removed within one week after. Any stand not in compliance will be removed by an Ames Ikes Board Member.
Only one tree stand per hunter. You may move your stand at any time within your predetermined zone during the season with respect to other hunters.
No screw-in steps are allowed.
Must wear a safety harness properly attach to the tree at all times while in the stand.
Must use a tow line to raise and lower equipment to and from the stand.
Must follow all Iowa DNR bow hunting regulations.
Must report all deer taken to the Ikes’ deer hunt coordinator in a timely manner.
Must hunt in a predetermined area of the park assigned by the hunt coordinator.
Ames Perimeter Zone tags are the preferred tag.
Season will be October 1 through the Friday before first shotgun season, and the Monday after second shotgun season to January 10.
Carcasses may not be placed in the park dumpsters. Entrails must be removed from any trails or open areas of the park.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES WILL ELMINATE YOU FROM ANY FUTURE ELIGIBILITY TO THE AMES IKES PARK BOW HUNT

Jake Strohm, Ames Isaak Walton League Board Member

515-290-3729

The Ike’s House was buzzing with Arbor Day activity Thursday night April 25, when 12 volunteers gathered to package 984 seedlings for delivery to Ames area 3rd and 4th grade school children on Friday, Arbor Day, April 26th. This year we gave away Nannyberry bush seedlings. Other years, we have given away a variety of native seedling native tree and bush seedlings. The Ike’s have given seedlings to children in the Ames area regularly for at lease 40 years.

The seedlings were obtained from the Ames State Forest Nursery in large sacks bundled in groups of 50 which must be separated, individually wrapped in a wet paper towel, put into a plastic sack, and closed with a twisty. They are then counted out according the number in each class for each school and placed in paper grocery sacks for delivery to the various schools by volunteers on Friday morning. This year there were 45 grocery sacks of seedlings. The packaging supplies were donated by Ames West Hy-Vee.

Left to right: Jim Pease, Cindy Pease, Arzy Clapp, and Tod Bertram sort and package seedlings. Monica Reising is in the left background coming over to help.

Left to right: The Pahl family and Marv Scott team up to package seedlings..