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Donated deer hides benefit disabled veterans

Hunters donated more than 4,500 deer hides to Elks Lodges across Iowa last year, which was an increase of nearly 600 hides from the 2022 season. The deer hides are used by the Veterans Leather Program to make professionally-crafted leather gloves for veterans in wheelchairs and also turned into leather used for therapy programs for recovering veterans.

FOOTBALL REVIEW: Indians win district title en route to UNI-Dome


Spirit Lake put together one of the best seasons in program history in 2023.

FOOTBALL REVIEW: Pioneers earn first playoff appearance since 2008


Okoboji’s football team suffered a few close losses early, but came away with key wins late in the season to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Pioneers finished the year with a 2-7 overall record.

KEY VICTORY

FOOTBALL REVIEW: Wolves football secures fifth straight winning season


Harris-Lake Park enjoyed another solid football season in 2023. The Wolves secured their fifth straight winning season and were in the hunt for a third consecutive district title heading into the regular season finale with Bishop Garrigan. The Golden Bears edged the Wolves 20-14 for the district title and went on to win the 8-Player state championship 39-30 over Bedford.

VOLLEYBALL REVIEW: Spirit Lake volleyball finishes season strong after rough start

Spirit Lake’s volleyball team struggled throughout the 2023 season. The Indians finished the year with 11 wins — their lowest total in at least 17 years — but they finished the season strong, winning six of their final 10 matches to go 11-23 overall.

 

KEY VICTORY

Spirit Lake’s volleyball team earned a 3-0 sweep against Lakes Conference rival Spencer on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The Indians defeated the Tigers 25-18, 25-16 and 25-15 in Spencer.

VOLLEYBALL REVIEW: Okoboji volleyball suffers eighth straight losing season


This year, Okoboji’s volleyball team finished below .500 for the eighth consecutive season. However, the Pioneers did win three more matches in 2023 than they did a year ago, finishing with an 8-22 overall record.

 

KEY VICTORY

While the Pioneers struggled throughout the season, they did earn a conference victory over Sibley-Ocheyedan on Oct. 5. Okoboji defeated the Generals 3-2 in Milford.

VOLLEYBALL REVIEW: Harris-Lake Park volleyball earns a win in 2023


Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team earned just one victory this past season, but — after suffering back-to-back winless season in 2022 and 2021 — there might not be a more monumental victory in the program’s history. The Wolves finished the year with a 1-24 overall record.

 

KEY VICTORY

No. 15 Spirit Lake girls drop hoops opener to Roland-Story


Spirit Lake’s girls basketball team dropped its season-opening contest with Roland-Story on Saturday, Nov. 18. The Norseman topped the 15th-ranked (3A) Indians 64-52 in Story City.

The Indians led 13-10 after one and outscored the Norseman 15-13 in the third quarter and 16-14 in the fourth. Roland-Story got hot in the second quarter, outscoring the Indians 26-8 to take a 36-21 lead into the half.

Spirit Lake Park girls wrestling competes at Emmetsburg


Spirit Lake Park’s girls wrestling team took part in the Lady E-Hawk Invite held Saturday, Nov. 18 at Emmetsburg. The Indians placed eighth as a team and had two individual champions and one runner-up on the day.

Okoboji/HMS wrestlers compete at Lady E-Hawk Invite


Okoboji/HMS’ girls wrestling team competed at the 2023 Lady E-Hawk Invite held Saturday, Nov. 18 in Emmetsburg. The Pioneers placed fifth as a team. They had had one champion and one runner-up on the day.

“Everybody competed well and we had a great team showing,” Okoboji/HMS coach Todd Gonnerman said.

Jozlyn Cookinham won the Pioneers’ only individual championship. She went 3-0 to win the 190-pound title.

Working to understand and stabilize the Blanding’s turtle in Iowa

Changes in the fish’s world


I’ve been doing a lot of reading about fishing and outdoor things recently. When I don’t go fishing, much of the time I’m reading about fishing. Following are a couple of fishing things that I’ve been reading about.

Iowa DNR to host virtual public meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease


The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a virtual public meeting to update the public on statewide Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance and management efforts.

Phosphorus’ role in poor water quality


Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all life, but too much of it can have a devastating impact on water quality. When phosphorus levels in a water body are too high, it can lead to a process called eutrophication. Eutrophication is the overgrowth of blue green algae and other aquatic plants, which can deplete oxygen levels in the water and make it uninhabitable for fish and other aquatic life.

END OF THE ROAD: No. 5 Spirit Lake falls to No. 1 CL/GLR in state football semifinal


Spirit Lake’s dream season came to an end with a loss to top-ranked and returning state champion Central Lyon/George-Little Rock in the Class 2A football semifinals played Saturday, Nov. 11 in Cedar Falls. The Lions defeated the Indians 28-14 at the UNI-Dome.

After the loss, Spirit Lake coach Josh Bolluyt — who led the team back to the semifinals for the first time since 2015 — said his message to the team was one of joy and appreciation.

Chasing trout on Lake Taneycomo


Although we anglers enjoy fishing our home waters, there is always the lure of fishing trip destinations. From my northwest Iowa home base, it might be a day trip to Clear Lake in northcentral Iowa or Lake Rathbun in southern Iowa. Then, of course, there are the larger trip destinations across the Midwest.

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