Stewardship » The Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America

The Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America

The Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America

DONATE TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR DES MOINES IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE

Donate today to support the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America!

Izaak Walton League – A Century of Conservation Leadership

About the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America
Founded in 1922, the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is one of the four oldest chapters still active in the nation. We’re part of one of America’s oldest and most respected conservation organizations. With a powerful grassroots network of more than 250 local chapters nationwide, the League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans. We invite you to learn about our work and to join us in supporting important conservation initiatives in your community.

Help us protect America’s outdoors. Join Online to Become a Member of the Des Moines Chapter of the League or Renew Your Membership!

Des Moines Chapter House
4343 George Flagg Parkway
Des Moines, Iowa, 50321
(515) 244-3773

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You’ll receive or chapter newsletter with news, stories, and events; Plus chapter updates as they happen!

Meetings are held every Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner is served until 6:30 p.m., with programs starting at 6:45 p.m. There are lots of great programs and delicious meals coming up on Tuesdays at the Chapter House! Check out our Menus and Programs page to find out more!

Meet Author Kevin Koch and learn about his new book “Midwest Bedrock: The Search for Nature’s Soul in America’s Heartland”. Tuesday, November 12, 6:45pm at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Parkway (intersection of George Flagg & Park), Des Moines 50321. Beaverdale Books will be on hand with copies for sale and signing! Midwest Bedrock takes readers on a journey across all twelve Midwest states to natural settings that defy typical stereotypes of the Midwest landscape. Each chapter focuses on one focal region or locality within each state, often seeking out lesser-known landscapes steeped in beauty and story. Kevin Koch is Professor Emeritus of English at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He has been writing narrative/informative nature-based works about the Midwest for nearly 25 years. Admission to Kevin’s talk is FREE and Open to the Public, with dinner at 6 available for purchase.

Come on out and PLAY at the Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy (Geo. Flagg & Park), Des Moines 50321 EVERY Wednesday for a night of CASH PRIZE BINGO! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Doors open at 5pm and play begins at 5:45. Cards begin at $10; Early and Late Bird Cards $3, Jackpot Blackout Cards $1. Doors open at 5 and play begins at 5:45. LOTS of Games, including Double or Twin Bingo, Crazy L, Four Corners, plus the Jackpot Black Out Special and more! Beverages and Snacks will be available too! Bring your friends and join us! The more players the bigger the jackpot!

Learn the basics of Pheasant Hunting with Pheasants Forever’s (PF) Amy Buckendahl, Tuesday, November 19, 6:45 pm at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League 4343 George Flagg Parkway (Geo. Flagg & Park). Des Moines 50321. Amy will talk about how you can get started hunting this classic Iowa game bird! She’ll also fill you in on PF’s Upland Workshops. The workshops include Hunter Safety, Upland Basics, Bird Cleaning & Prep, Bird Biology, Shooting and more! The Next event is at the Dragoon Trail Ikes in Ankeny Friday the 22nd, with a Mentored Hunt Saturday the 23rd. Amy is a passionate conservation educator and hunter. She is an active volunteer with the Iowa Hunter Education Instructor Association, Northern Polk PF and the Iowa Heartland Chapter of Women on the Wing. Admission to Amy’s talk at 6:45 is FREE and Open to the Public, with a Beef and Noodle dinner available for purchase, serving at 6.

New 2024 Rules and a Herd Health Update with IDNR’s Jace Elliott – December 3

Learn about new 2024 Deer Hunting Rules & Regulations, along with a Herd Health Update with the Iowa DNR’s Jace Elliott! Tuesday, December 3, 6:45 pm, at The Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Parkway (intersection Geo. Flagg & Park), Des Moines 50321. With shotgun season beginning December 7, this is a timely update! Jace will not only fill us in on New Rules, he’ll give us an update on Herd Health too. With another drought, Iowa is experiencing one of the worst EHD outbreaks in history. Learn more about diseases and report suspected cases here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer-Health#. Jace Elliott is the State Deer Biologist with IDNR. Jace’s talk is FREE and Open to the Public, with doors opening at 5:30 and dinner available for purchase, with service at 6.

Upcoming Events

  • December 17, 2024: Des Moines Izaak Walton League Christmas Party. Featuring a raffle, auction, and plenty o’ prizes and surprises!
  • December 24 & 31: Closed. Happy Holidays! Meetings resume January 7.
  • January 7, 2025: Intro to Ice Fishing and Tournament Update with Allan Hoisington of Mid-Iowa Anglers.
  • Sunday, February 9, 2025: Super Bowl LIX (59) Party! Free Admission! Snacks and Fun!
  • February 19, 2025: Farmer Appreciation Night!
  • Bassmasters Swap Meet! Saturday February 22 and Sunday the 23rd. Booth Volunteers needed!
  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025: The Des Moines Ikes Annual Wild Game Feed! For Game donations contact Mark Pranger at 515-710-6033.
  • March 5, 2025: Join Ray Harden, Naturalist and retired Environmental Science Educator to learn about Woodpeckers in Iowa.
  • March 25, 2025: Polk Co. Conservation’s Devon Boes on the Athene Northshore Rec. Area at Easter Lake.
  • April 29, 2025: Tim Wagner of Iowa’s Coldwater Conservancy: An Alliance of non-profit groups and individuals dedicated to preserving and improving the unique, Coldwater rivers and streams of Northeast Iowa.

General Manager

Officers 2024/2025
President: Doug Pooch
1st VP: Curtis Cokeley
2nd VP: Bud Hartley
Secretary: Mark Pranger
Treasurer: Richard “Bo” Galloway
Honorary President: Joe Gavin

Directors 2024/2025
Michael Delaney
Bob Jackson
Charles Meade
Kerry Petersen
Dave Wright

Contact Us

4343 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, Iowa 50321   ·   Phone 515-244-3773   ·   Email [email protected]