Public Programs

The indoor archery range and BB gun range will be open to the public Thursday nights from 6-8 PM. These nights will occur in our heated indoor ranges and are open to the public during this time. All are welcome, youth 15 years of age and under must have adult supervision. Must provide own archery and BB gun equipment. Targets provided. Cost is $5 for both archery and BB gun range per person per night or $3 for one range per person per night. Fee’s payable at the door. Questions please contact the Sioux County Conservation Administration Office at 712-552-1047.

Ranges will be closed due to bad weather check our website or listen to 93.9 FM for cancellations.

Dates open:
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 7, 14, 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21

Whether you love ice fishing or interested in learning more about it, join us on the ice from 10am-noon at the Big Sioux Rec Area, just west of Hawarden. Bring a sack lunch or snacks and a bucket to sit on and we will provide the rest! We will pre-drill the holes, provide bait, poles, and discuss the types of fish you may catch and equipment being used. There is no cost for this event, entry fee to the park is waived during the time of the program. Preregistration is required for event, those ages 16 and over actively fishing must have a valid Iowa fishing license. Sign up online at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Sioux/Park/Big-Sioux-Recreation-Area/Events/12559/Family-Ice-Fishing-Clinic.aspx

The indoor archery range and BB gun range will be open to the public Thursday nights from 6-8 PM. These nights will occur in our heated indoor ranges and are open to the public during this time. All are welcome, youth 15 years of age and under must have adult supervision. Must provide own archery and BB gun equipment. Targets provided. Cost is $5 for both archery and BB gun range per person per night or $3 for one range per person per night. Fee’s payable at the door. Questions please contact the Sioux County Conservation Administration Office at 712-552-1047.

Ranges will be closed due to bad weather check our website or listen to 93.9 FM for cancellations.

Dates open:
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 7, 14, 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21

The indoor archery range and BB gun range will be open to the public Thursday nights from 6-8 PM. These nights will occur in our heated indoor ranges and are open to the public during this time. All are welcome, youth 15 years of age and under must have adult supervision. Must provide own archery and BB gun equipment. Targets provided. Cost is $5 for both archery and BB gun range per person per night or $3 for one range per person per night. Fee’s payable at the door. Questions please contact the Sioux County Conservation Administration Office at 712-552-1047.

Ranges will be closed due to bad weather check our website or listen to 93.9 FM for cancellations.

Dates open:
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 7, 14, 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21

This is the last night that the indoor archery range and BB gun range will be open to the public from 6-8 PM.

These nights will occur in our heated indoor ranges and are open to the public during this time. All are welcome, youth 15 years of age and under must have adult supervision. Must provide own archery and BB gun equipment. Targets provided. Cost is $5 for both archery and BB gun range per person per night or $3 for one range per person per night. Fee’s payable at the door. Questions please contact the Sioux County Conservation Administration Office at 712-552-1047.

Ranges will be closed due to bad weather check our website or listen to 93.9 FM for cancellations.

Dates open:
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 7, 14, 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21

These nights will occur in our heated indoor ranges and are open to the public during this time. All are welcome, youth 15 years of age and under must have adult supervision. Must provide own archery and BB gun equipment. Targets provided. Cost is $5 for both archery and BB gun range per person per night or $3 for one range per person per night. Fee’s payable at the door. Questions please contact the Sioux County Conservation Administration Office at 712-552-1047.

Ranges will be closed due to bad weather check our website or listen to 93.9 FM for cancellations.

Dates open:
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 7, 14, 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21

This field day course will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Sandy Hollow Rec. Area.  Students must preregister for this course by going to https://register-ed.com/events/view/133990 Students must be 11 years of age or older to attend class, and must complete the online pretests and bring them to class on March 30.  Iowa law required that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license.  Class stresses the importance of individual responsibility and outdoor ethics.  Along with basic survival, first aid, water safety, wildlife identification, basic wildlife management, hunting laws, and firearm/archery safety.

Course is offered free of charge, students must attend full class session and pass final test to receive there hunter safety certification.

Please note you must bring your own lunch and snacks to class.  No personal firearms allowed. Please dress for indoor and outdoor activities.

Additional hunter education classes are offered throughout the state and found by going to the Iowa DNR website.

This year, Sioux County Conservation is teaming up with the DNR to host Bald Eagle Bird Nest Monitoring Workshop. Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 13th at the Oak Grove Lodge from 9:30am-12:30pm. Training workshop focuses on some of Iowa’s more spectacular birds of prey such as Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Peregrine Falcons. Volunteers are taught how to collect data on specific nesting sites around the state and submit pertinent data such as how many young birds fledge. “This data collection requires lots of patience and some good optics in order to watch the nest from a distance and not disturb the birds,” Shepherd indicates. Last year volunteers reported on over 150 Bald Eagle nests across the state.

Workshops require a $5 registration fee which pays for training materials, bird identification guide and certification costs. To register, please download and complete the registration form for the desired workshop found here and return it with the $5 fee per person, per workshop to: VWMP; Boone Wildlife Research Station; 1436 255th St.; Boone, IA 50036. Deadline for registration is April 5th. Attendance is limited to 15 people per workshop so first come, first served.

NOTE: A Frog and Toad Survey Training will be held in the afternoon on this same day. If you wish to sign up for both workshops, the total registration fee will be $8.

For more information and to register please visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Iowas-Wildlife/Volunteer-Wildlife-Monitoring 

This year, Sioux County Conservation is teaming up with the DNR to host Frog and Toad Call Survey Workshop. Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 13th at the Oak Grove Lodge from 1:00-4:00pm. Training is for a survey that requires a keen ear. Volunteers are trained to listen to and recognize the 16 species of frogs and toads in Iowa based on their breeding calls. In 2016, volunteers surveyed routes consisting of over 350 wetland sites for frog and toad activity. “The frog and toad surveyors are particularly special because to perform the surveys they have to drive back country roads at night along a specified route which would not be everyone’s cup of tea,” Shepherd says. “I think most feel that exploring the Iowa wilds at night is a unique experience and opportunity.”

Workshops require a $5 registration fee which pays for training materials, a frog and toad call CD and certification costs. To register, please download and complete the registration form for the desired workshop found here and return it with the $5 fee per person, per workshop to: VWMP; Boone Wildlife Research Station; 1436 255th St.; Boone, IA 50036. Deadline for registration is April 5th. Attendance is limited to 15 people per workshop so first come, first served.

NOTE: A Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Training will be held in the morning on this same day. If you wish to sign up for both workshops, the total registration fee will be $8.

For more information and to register please visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Iowas-Wildlife/Volunteer-Wildlife-Monitoring

This fun filled day is made possible by our partnership with 4-H Extension Office and Sioux County Sportsman’s Club (SCSC). The day runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at Oak Grove Park. Participates register for one of seven different tracks with different session and are paired with their leaders for the day. Sessions in the past have included: hiking, canoeing and kayaking, archery, outdoor cooking, air rifles, shotgun shooting, duck hunting, fly fishing and much more! Ages 8 and younger must have an adult present. Registration is required and will open approximately two months prior to event; first 270 kids will be accepted. This event is absolutely free! Lunch and prizes are provided by the SCSC.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Approximately two months prior to event,  you can register by clicking HERE.

We partner with Sioux County Sportsman’s Club (SCSC) for this fishing clinic at SCCB Sandy Hollow Area just East of Sioux Center off B40. The morning is filled with fishing instruction, fishing, contest in casting as well as most fish caught and biggest fish caught. Prizes, giveaways and lunch is provided by the SCSC.  All ages are welcome, those of 8 years and younger must have an adult present. Those of 16 years and older must have a valid Iowa fishing license if they wish to fish. Fishing poles are provided by SCCB and bait and lunch is provided by SCSC.  Registration is required and will open approximately two months prior to event.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Approximately two months prior to event you can register HERE.

Looking for a fun family night before you head back to school? Ringneck Rendezvous is your event! This event is held at the Rock Valley Gun club just West out of Rock Valley. Those of 5-8 years must have an adult present. All adults welcome with pre-registration. Doors open at 4:00 pm and participants are invited to play games and participate in activities for booth prizes until 6:30 pm. We try to add new booths each year but past booths have featured: Outdoor Minute to Win It games, BB guns, trap shooting(ages 12 and over), archery, wrist rockets, ring toss, seed balls, dog training, scavenger hunt and several more! Following the closing of the booths, booth prizes will be drawn for. Evening program for 2018 will be Royal Gauntlet. After our evening program we draw for door prizes that have been sponsored by local businesses. You must register for event, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.  The cost of this event is $10 to cover supper meal, and giveaways. This event would not be possible without our partnership with Sioux Prairie Pheasant Forever Chapter, Rock Valley Gun Club and the Iowa DNR. 

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

The Iowa hunter education class is offered annually in August to those ages 11 and over that wish to obtain and Iowa hunting license. Those interested in attend the course must register online, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.  After you are registered for class, you will need to pick up a Hunter Education Manual from the Public Libraries in Hawarden, Orange City, Sioux Center, or Rock Valley. Book work is required prior to class starting. The day starts off with a review of the lessons found in the hunter education guide and law talk by local DNR. The afternoon is where the shooting skills are taught and reinforced including: trap shooting, archery, rifle shooting, proper hunting technique, fence crossing, and zones of fire.  Day concludes with the final test. Participants must bring own snacks and lunch, supper meal is provided.

Registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

Women in the Outdoors (WITO) is a great event where women can come and learn new skills in a great environment! We partner with National Wild Turkey Federation and surrounding county conservation boards to make this event extra special. WITO is a great place to meet new people as participants are from Sioux County, Lyon County, O’Brien County, Osceola County and surrounding areas. This fun filled day runs from 8:00am-4:30 pm. Location for this event rotates between counties so it is a great way to see other wonderful parks! This day is open to ages 14 and up, ages 14-17 with an adult. The cost of this event is $45 which includes a wonderful Dutch oven lunch and one year National Wild Turkey Federation Membership. Already a member, contact us about a discount.

Coming Soon: This year’s topics and registration information!

Interested in Dutch Oven Cooking, or want to see what all the fuss is about? This event is for you! Contestants bake dishes in select categories: breads and appetizers; main dishes; and dessert. Judges sample each dish and award first place in each category. A potluck meal follows judging. Don’t feel like preparing a big dish? Public is welcome to come observe and ask questions starting at 3 pm, and welcome to join the meal starting at 6 pm. Remember this is a potluck, so if you come to eat, please bring a dish to share, does not have to be Dutch oven dish.

Contestants: Please call Sunday Ford at 712-552-3057 beginning in September to sign up as a cooker. First 10 Cookers to register will receive a free campsite at Turkey Ridge for that Saturday night.

Our annual Trick or Treat Hike is an evening you do not want to miss! Ages 12 and under are invited to trick or treat in costume. The campgrounds are full of campers with friendly faces at each campsite and of course candy/goodies too. If you would like to be a camper, see below for details. Parking is provided near the campgrounds. The hiking path is lit for participants to travel easily to the campground and the bonfire by the river. Trick or treating is from 5:30-8:00 pm. No pre-registration needed.

Listen to KSOU 93.9 FM for weather cancellations.

We partner with Sioux Prairie Pheasants Forever and Rock Valley Gun Club on this day to give 12-15 year old Iowa residents, who have passed their hunter education course, a great pheasant hunt experience! The day starts with breakfast and a quick review of hunter safety and trap shooting. We pair youth with a mentor and hunting dog. Youth and mentor travel in groups to local hunting areas, both public and private, for the morning. Following the hunt, youth and mentors return to the Rock Valley Gun Club for lunch. Only a limited number will be taken so you must pre-register, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

Register approximately two months prior to event HERE.