Deer Season Hunting Dates

 

Information you need to be aware of.

One or more Iowa Deer Hunting Seasons open from now until

Jan 10 EXCEPT for 2 days--Dec. 12 and 13.

Hunting deer is accomplished using various forms of weaponry.  Please use extreme caution when riding in the forest during the hunting seasons.

Here is a list of the various season and the types of weaponry used:

Archery through Dec 6, 2024

Late Archery Dec 23 - Jan 10, 2025

Muzzleloader Dec 23 - Jan 10, 2025

GUN Season 1 Dec 7 - 11, 2024

GUN Season 2 Dec 14 - 22, 2024

Non-Resident Dec 24 - Jan 2, 2025

Stay safe and stay warm.

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

All trails are open

 

ALL TRAILS ARE OPEN FOR USE!

We have members that regularly ride the trails and report all the trail conditions to Forester John Byrd.  Their observations help us to know when the trails are safe and what to expect when we are out riding. 

The current report shows that heavy leaf cover hides ruts/small branches/ rocks/etc; so walking in such is a good idea. The dirt sections that we've ridden were good to ride--few slicker spots, but very few. 

A good reminder:

The first shotgun deer season that opens Saturday, December 7th -11th. 

The second shotgun deer season opens on December 14th-22nd.

If you are planning to be riding during these seasons, please wear your orange vests, hats or coveralls to make hunters aware of your presence in the forest.

The cold weather is upon us so bundle up and stay warm.

Stay safe, show compassion for fellow riders, hikers, or walkers.

Give thanks daily for the many blessings we have been given.

Happy Trails

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

State Parks of Iowa Fund Grant

 

State Parks of Iowa Fund Grant

The State Parks of Iowa Fund announced that Friends of Shimek State Forest has been awarded a grant of $1,500. to support maintenance of the Wet Weather Trails in the 2025 year. Friends of Shimek has pledged $2,000 toward Wet Weather Trail maintenance in 2025. Shimek DNR staff will provide the equipment and labor to haul and spread the rock.

The Shimek State Forest Lick Creek Unit has two public equestrian campgrounds and over 25 miles of trails. The Shimek facilities contribute to the quality of life and recreational opportunities for our community. With both day riding and camping available, as well as rider usage from the adjoining private campground, the number of riders is now at 6,000 to 8,000 per year. This means the maintenance of the over 6 miles of Wet Weather Trails in excellent riding condition becomes ever more important. The Wet Weather Trails have been widened, with drainage ditching added, and surfaced with small chip gravel to allow use without damage to the trails under much wetter conditions than dirt trails. This also provides safer footing for equines than would muddy dirt trails. The dirt trails do not dry quickly in the woods and are easily damaged by horse hooves when wet, especially on the many hillsides in the Lick Creek Unit. However, regular maintenance with additional rock is critical to keep the Wet Weather Trails suitable for their purpose. The project is expected to be completed by summer of 2025.

Forester John Byrd commented: “The development of the Wet Weather Trail was years in the planning and was made possible with initial funding from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc. Its maintenance and usage during wet weather prevents the kind of damage that Shimek had to its trails (as shown in the first photo below) BEFORE there were Wet Weather Trails. The second photo shows how the Wet Weather Trails look when properly maintained –ready for use under most riding conditions. We appreciate the support of the State Parks of Iowa Fund as well as the Friends of Shimek in helping our DNR staff keep the Wet Weather Trails ready for use.”

The State Parks of Iowa Fund is supported by grants, private donations and book sales to help alleviate funding issues in our State Parks through grants to friend's groups. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation administers the grants on their behalf.

Dirt Trails are closed as of 11-4-24

 TRAIL STATUS 

11/4/24 8:00 AM Shimek Forest Lick Creek Trails update from Forester John Byrd: Shimek Forest has had well over an inch of much needed rain in the past few days that has made the trails slick and overly wet. DIRT Trails are CLOSED. Wet Weather Trails are OPEN.

There is more rain in the forecast for this week.  The WWT will remain open at this time.

Something to keep in mind:  DEER (Shotgun) SEASON is just around the corner.  Please use your orange reflective vest when riding or hiking through the forest.

Stay Safe!

Kathy 

Secretary/Editor

Workday CANCELLED 8-14-24

  Volunteer Work Day at Shimek Forest August 15th.

WORK DAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED

DUE TO STORMY WEATHER PREDICTED.

 In the event this expected inclement weather misses us, you are welcome to work on the trails and clean firepits in the campground.

Meet with Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician and Sonny Gipe, FOS President, at Lower Campground, at left side, at 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 15th. Activities planned include clearing downed trees on the trails and trails trash pickup. If you are going to help clear downed trees, bring ATV, chainsaw and personal protective equipment, etc. Campground work needed, if you can help, includes: Sorting cans for recycle, Painting, Campground clean up. Bring gloves. We will work until about noon. All volunteers welcome. No prior experience necessary.

Weather issues: There is an active weather pattern for this week that could change the status of the work day. Any change will be posted here.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and some much needed clean up can take place.

As always, stay safe!

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Workday Scheduled Thursday 8-15-24

 Volunteer Work Day at Shimek Forest August 15th.

CAN YOU HELP?

Meet with Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician and Sonny Gipe, FOS President, at Lower Campground, at left side, at 8:30 AM on Thursday, August 15th. Activities planned include clearing downed trees on the trails and trails trash pickup. If you are going to help clear downed trees, bring ATV, chainsaw and personal protective equipment, etc. Campground work needed, if you can help, includes: Sorting cans for recycle, Painting, Campground clean up. Bring gloves. We will work until about noon. All volunteers welcome. No prior experience necessary.

Weather issues: There is an active weather pattern for this week that could change the status of the work day. Any change will be posted here.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and some much needed clean up can take place.

As always, stay safe!

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

All Trails are open as of 8-7-24

All trails are now open!

There may be some muddy spots so please use caution in those areas. 

It's going to be a beautiful weekend for riding.  Get out there and enjoy this cooler weather!

Have a wonderful time!

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Dirt Trails are closed 7-29-24

 Due to quite a rain storm last night at Shimek Forest, Forester Byrd reminds us:

The Wet Weather Trails remain open for use.

Please be aware the big horse flies are coming out if full force. Your riding companion would appreciate some protection from their bites. The weather is predicted to be hot this week. Remember to hydrate your animal and drink plenty of fluids yourself.

As always be courteous on the trail, smile because it looks good on you, and do your very best to ensure everyone has a nice day on their trek through the forest.

Happy Trails

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Dirt Trails are CLOSED 4-18-24

 The dirt trails have been CLOSED.

As of 4/18/24 9:30 AM, Shimek Lick Creek DIRT trails closed to riding due to rainfall received. Wet Weather Trails are still open. Status message also available from Forester John Byrd on the Shimek Forest office phone at 319-878-3811.

It is Spring!  We can most definitely expect to have a roller coaster ride of weather.  We will post when the trails are reopened.  Until then, enjoy the WWT.

Stay safe, 

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Dirt Trails are CLOSED as of 4-2-24

 

ForesterJohn Byrd has CLOSED the Dirty Trails.

4/2/24... 8:19AM Yes-DIRT TRAILS ARE NOW CLOSED to riding in the Lick Creek Unit of Shimek Forest.. Rain has been coming down off and on all night and still is ....So:

As the rain continues to fall, we must appreciate this will be only temporary. Spring is here. Flowers are starting to pop up and bloom in places. One of these days very soon the weather will be nice and warm again.

Until that time,

Stay Safe

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Trails are open 3-28-24

 Trail Status

3-28-24

 Shimek Forester John Byrd: "All trails are OPEN. This time of year trails can open and close often so please check before you ride. Thank you!" Closure status messages are posted on the FOS facebook page as well as on the Iowa DNR Trail Closure page. A recorded message is left on the DNR Shimek office phone at 319-8778-3811.

Have a wonderful week!

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Update from Patrick Thomas 3-25-24

 Notes from Patrick 

Update 3-25-24

This past Thursday, 3/21, volunteers Lisa and Dave McDowell, Bill Mathias and Ike Meek worked with me to remove old fire rings and install new ones in better locations and even relocated a hitching rail! My appreciation to the volunteers who put in a total of 15 hours of work to help get this done. We are almost finished with this Lee County Charitable Fund project. Volunteer Bill Mathias plans to join me this coming Thursday to install the last ring that we have purchased. So no additional help will be needed this Thursday in the campground. Did snap a photo (l to r) of Bill Mathias, Ike Meek and Dave McDowell working on a fire ring.

It is great to see the progress that has been made.  I don't know about you, but I am getting anxious for the camping/riding season to get underway.

As always, stay safe

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Notes from Patrick Thomas on the campground fire ring progress.

 Progress is being made!

Notes from Patrick -3/8/24

Progress on installing Firepits! Yesterday two volunteers helped me with the installation of 3 fire rings and 2 culverts in the Lick Creek Lower Campground. In addition we three finished the work on one campsite pad and got most of another finished in four hours of work. That's a lot of progress. I very much appreciate the great help provided as well as the interesting conversations with Isaiah "Ike" Meek and Bill Mathias. These photos show Ike and BIll hard at work on one of the firepits. Thank You, Ike! Thank You, Bill. I plan on continuing to work on this on Thursday March 21 and March 28 about 9:00AM. If you can join us, we would much appreciate the help in making our campsites safer and more comfortable. Call if you have any questions.

Bill Mathias (left) and Ike Meek begin installing a firepit. Ike is getting a workout there with that bag of Quickrete!

Making the final adjustments to the new Firepit.

Until next time,

Get out and enjoy the great outdoors!

Patrick Thomas

Natural Resources Technician

cell 319-931-7805

Volunteer help needed on Thursdays

 Do you have time to volunteer your time?

Do you like to camp and ride your horses or mules at Shimek Forest? Then will you help with the camping site improvement project in the Lower Campground in the Lick Creek Unit?? Three Thursdays in March beginning at 9:00AM, Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician, will be working on the Campsite Improvement project to upgrade sites for your convenience and safety. The current work is to replace the old fire rings with new ones. The fire rings are provided under a grant from the Lee County Charitable Fund to Friends of Shimek. To install them, volunteers are needed who can help remove the old ones, level the new space for a fire ring, install a new one and spread some gravel around it. No previous experience needed but gloves and a shovel would be handy! So if you can contribute a few hours beginning about 9AM on these Thursdays in March--- March (7, 21, and 28 --or until all are finished!) --your help would be appreciated. 

Here is a photo of FOS Board Member Teresa Murray and Dave Forsythe, DNR Summer Staff helping Patrick with installation of some of the new fire rings last fall.

 If you have any questions, contact Patrick at cell phone 319-931-7805. 

Follow the updates each week on the Friends of Shimek Facebook page or on the Friends of Shimek blog page.

As always, be kind and smile because it looks good on you!

Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Dirt Trails are Closed

 

The dirt trails have been closed for the time being.

Forester John Byrd just announced that due to over an inch of rain this week that has made the trails wet and predictions of more today, the Dirt Trails in the Lick Creek Unit are closed to riding.

Wet Weather Trails are OPEN.

We will post on Facebook and this blog page when there is a trail status update.

As always, stay safe!

Kathy

Sec/Editor

Trails are open -Camping Rates increased

 All Trails Are Open

Forester John Byrd advised us that all the Lick Creek trails have been 95% cleared of down trees. Plus the dirt trails are dry enough to ride--so ALL OPEN for riding. Thanks much to the DNR Shimek Crew for clearing the trails.

Camping Rate Increase for 2024

You need to know about a change in the camping rates at Shimek Forest campgrounds. The Iowa DNR has set the camping fee for equestrian campgrounds in the Lick Creek Unit, both Upper Campground and Lower Campground, at $14/ night. The fee for the non-equestrian campgrounds at Bitternut and White Oak has been set at $10/ night. These rates will be year round and go into effect February 16, 2024.

If you need further information regarding camping, please contact:

Patrick Thomas

Natural Resources Technician

cell 319-931-7805

Or go to the Iowa DNR page

iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com

Kathy

Sec/Editor

Gray Fox

Gray Foxes

We're asking for your help in reporting sightings of Iowa's secretive gray fox!

Gray foxes are different than the more common red fox (check the ID guide below). Gray fox were listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Iowa in 2015 based on a decline in the gray fox population observed over the past 25 years. Similar trends have been noted in several other Midwestern states. We want to learn more about their habitat and research possible causes into their population decline.

If you spot a live gray fox or have trail cam footage, contact our biologists with location info: Dave Hoffman (david.hoffman@dnr.iowa.gov) or Vince Evelsizer (vince.evelsizer@dnr.iowa.gov).

If you see a dead gray fox (roadkilled, etc), please send location info to: Rachel Ruden (Rachel.ruden@dnr.iowa.gov) or Vince Evelsizer (vince.evelsizer@dnr.iowa.gov).

#IowaWildlife #GrayFox

Friends of Shimek 2024

  Friends of Shimek 2024

 

Friends of Shimek have new officers to start this year off.

Let’s begin by introducing them.

 

President: Herman (Sonny) Gipe

Vice President: Neal Hartman

Secretary: Kathy Weber

Treasure: Debbie Miller

Volunteer Hours Coordinator: Lala O’Hara

Grant Officer: Teresa Murry

Member at Large/Trail reporter: Marsha Achenbauch

Member at Large: Jo Watson

Lora Conrad is still working behind the scenes posting information on our Facebook page as well.

The board has set up three workdays for the summer.  Please feel free to come to any or all of these days.  Volunteers are never turned away!  I am sure we will find something for everyone to do. A lunch break will be taken around noon. You should bring a sack lunch if you plan to attend for the entire day. Water will be provided.

 

May 16, 2024 –Meet at the lower campground at 8:30 am

Neal Hartman will be the coordinator.

Projects will be cleaning trails, installing new signage, cleaning firepits, and campgrounds.

August 15 – Meet at the lower campground at 8:30 am

Sonny Gipe will be the coordinator.

Projects will be determined after the 1^st workday.

September 28 – Statewide All Volunteer workday.  All volunteers are to meet at the lower campground at 10 am.

Patrick Thomas will be in charge.  No coordinator was assigned at this time.

 

DNR Technician Patrick Thomas has been posting the entrance conditions leading into the Lick Creek unit.  As of today 2-6-24, the road is clear.  The dirt trails remain closed.  However, the Wet Weather trail is open.  Be mindful there could be some downed limbs, trees, soft spots, and ice and snow in the shaded areas.  The campgrounds are a little soggy with some standing water from the recently melted snow. Patrick will be posting road and camp conditions periodically on our Facebook page (Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails, Inc.) to help keep you informed of troubled areas or the safety of entering the Lick Creek Unit.

 

 January

                   February

We want you to have a safe and fun filled riding, and hiking experience.  Please contact the DNR staff if you have camping or forest questions in general.

DNR Shimek Office

319-878-3811

John Byrd, DNR Forester

Patrick Thomas

Natural Resources Technician 1

Cel 319-931-7805

If you have any other questions, please contact us at FOShimek@gmail.com  

 

As always- be safe, be kind, and smile because it looks good on you!

 

Kathy

 

Secretary/Editor

 

Follow us on our blog:

friendsofshimek.blogspot.com or

Facebook page - Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails,Inc.