Hunt Safe classes to start next week
Hunt Safe classes will be on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 18-20, at the Davison County Fairgrounds Complex, Mitchell.
Try an SCI auction for a cheap hunt
As we motored southward down I-29 Feb. 18, more and more geese filled the air. Flocks of Canadas and snows became thick as we approached the St. Joseph, Mo., area. We didn’t know it then, but heavy weekend snow would push the geese south again. While we’ll have to wait a bit for our spring goose hunting, the thought of spring geese and walleyes makes March not nearly so boring as some would make us believe.
GF&P announces bald eagle awareness art contest winners 
HURON — A panel of judges from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has selected the winners of the Bald Eagle Days Bookmark art contest for South Dakota fifth graders.
Cabela’s to host spring kickoff event this weekend
The Mitchell Cabela’s store is kicking off spring a few days early this year. Saturday and Sunday, the store will host Cabela’s Spring Great Outdoor Days.
Opinion: Autolysis is not for everyone
On Sunday, all five boats fishing below the dam at Pickstown limited on walleyes. Put in below town on the east side, and please put the large females back in the river.
Archery antelope hunters report success in 2009
PIERRE — One of South Dakota’s first fall hunts is archery antelope, and through surveys from the 2009 season submitted by hunters, the state Game, Fish and Parks Department begins planning the 2010 seasons.
Opinion: Be aware: wildlife belongs to S.D., including skulls with antlers
On Page 8 of the Feb. 3 edition of The Avon Clarion, there’s a picture of Bon Homme County conservation officer Todd Crownover handing over a deer skull and antlers to young Drew Koch of Tyndall. According to the accompanying article, Drew wounded the deer during the 2008 rifle season, but never found it in spite of an extensive search that included family and friends.
Pheasant Country elects new officers
Pheasant Country, the Mitchell chapter of Pheasants Forever, elected new officers recently.
Opinion: Be wary of having your name on lists
It’s no secret that the best ice fishing is early and late. As we approach the late, keep in mind that much of the ice has been snow-covered. Snow insulates ice and makes for dangerous areas. Sand or dust on ice can absorb heat. We have had thawing and freezing which makes for honeycomb or weak ice.
Mountain lion season ends in Black Hills
PIERRE — The 2010 South Dakota mountain lion season closed Thursday with the harvesting of the 40th lion.
Parkston resident wins ice house
A tip up was all Parkston resident Dave Bax needed at Saturday’s 26th annual Devils Lake Voluntary Fire Department ice fishing tournament. Bax, who drove nearly seven hours to the North Dakota town, caught a six-pound, five-ounce northern pike, helping him win a brand new hardshell ice house.
Opinion: Before buying, reseach guns
A recent Burke Gazette offered proof positive as to how good the local ice fishing is. At the Burke Men’s Club ice fishing tournament, contestants won $65 each in the largest perch, crappie, bluegill and bass divisions. The winners went: perch .87 pounds, bluegill .93 pounds, crappie 1.47 pounds and bass 2.87 pounds. Unfortunately for an angler who failed to weigh in his 3.59-pound bass because he didn’t think it was large enough, he passed up $65. Sounds like fun.
Former GF&P head pleased with Missouri River meeting
PIERRE — A former state Department of Game, Fish and Parks secretary who attended Tuesday’s public meeting about a new study of the Missouri River came away optimistic about the study’s potential.
“I’m elated that the study has been funded and that the Corps of Engineers is taking action and doing the right thing to make this happen,” said John Cooper, of Pierre, who spoke with The Daily Republic by phone Wednesday.
Resident Canada goose plan available for review
PIERRE — The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is offering citizens the opportunity to review a five-year draft management plan for resident Canada geese. The South Dakota Resident Canada Goose Management Plan is written with a goal of providing maximum recreational opportunities that are consistent with a healthy goose population, habitat constraints and tolerance levels of private landowners and the public. The draft is now open for review during a 30-day public comment period.
Opinion: Danger is sometimes relative
I once worked in the steel mills. Disaster lurked for those who weren’t alert, sober and well-rested. I once coached. Even in small-town South Dakota, you better win. I married once. That’s pretty good in a country with a 50 percent divorce rate. Yes, I’ve flirted with danger. On TV a few nights ago, I was watching Jim Shockey hunt dwarf buffalo in Ethiopia. He was in a native village, and the children were crowded around him seeking candy, etc. Most of the men in the background were carrying rifles including AK-47’s. Jim was asked if what he was doing was dangerous. His reply made a number of interesting points, none of which had anything to do with the animals hunted.
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