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