Mahaska County Conservation Plans Fall Wildlife Program and Halloween Bash

OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Mahaska County Conservation is hosting two fall events at the Evelyn Access Campground: an evening campfire program on Iowa wildlife and, later this month, the popular Halloween Bash.

Laura DeCook, conservation naturalist for Mahaska County, said the first event, Campfire and Creatures, will take place on Friday, October 9, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Eveland Access Campground.

The program will use animals usually associated with Halloween to help people tell the difference between fact and fiction and explain what these animals are really up to during the fall.

The animals expected to be discussed include spiders, owls, and bats.

DeCook pointed out that spiders are particularly noticeable in the fall, with their webs frequently being seen around houses and in outdoor spaces. Although many spiders die during winter, they continue their life cycle by laying eggs that survive until the following season.

Owls are also frequently linked with Halloween because they are active at night and may startle people with their calls or silent flight.

Barred owls are one of the owl species that people can hear in Oskaloosa, and their usual call is sometimes said to sound like “Who cooks for you?”

Owls can fly quietly because of adaptations that help them hunt.

Bats will also be included in the program. DeCook stated that the bats in the area feed on insects and do not deliberately fly at people, enter their hair, or attempt to bite them.

Bats locate their food while in flight by using echolocation. As the temperatures keep on falling, the local bats will soon start to hibernate. They might spend the winter in attics, walls, old buildings, tree hollows, or under the bark of trees.

At the Campfire and Creatures event, visitors will gather around a campfire near the shelter house in the campground. To help visitors find the program, Mahaska County Conservation plans to have its county vehicle nearby.

Please bring a lawn chair or blanket.

The program will feature stories and information about Iowa wildlife and the animal pelts visitors can see and touch. People will have the chance to get a close look at animals which they might otherwise only see from a distance.

The fall activities will carry on on Saturday, 24th October, with Mahaska County Conservation’s Halloween Bash at Evelyn Access.

Campers should book campsites in advance, as the campground generally fills up quickly. As part of the Halloween celebration, campers may decorate their sites.

This year, Mahaska County Conservation is introducing another competition to the event.

Children taking part in trick-or-treating can vote for their favorite decorated campsite. After finishing their trick-or-treating route, they can return to the shelter house and vote for the Kids’ Choice award.

The campground will appear different at night.

From about 7 p.m. onward, visitors can join a tour of the campground featuring the illuminated Halloween displays. Those who take part in the night tour can also vote for their preferred campsite.

The campsite that receives the most support from the night tour will be awarded the title of grand champion.

According to DeCook, the decorating competition has become competitive among the campers, who use lights, sounds, and all sorts of other decorations to transform the campground for the event.

Mahaska County Conservation is also making preparations for the forthcoming hunting seasons.

DeCook said one of the department’s park rangers will discuss hunting opportunities in an upcoming interview with the Oskaloosa News, including the food plots planted on county land for public hunting.

If anyone has questions about Mahaska County Conservation programs, parks, or upcoming events, they can visit the Environmental Learning Center for more information.