Recreation

Outdoor Campus welcomes East River guests

Sally Jones Journal correspondent

Branches of a paper river snake their way across one of the classrooms at the new Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City. A group of 15 elementary-age children listens intently as the activity leader asks them to choose a fish, identify its scent and follow it up the river to where the fish wa…

Feb 02, 2012 | 8:29 pm | (0) Comments

The Rec Room: Warmth won't stop winter-themed events

Danny Lawhon Journal staff

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m starting to miss the snow.

Feb 02, 2012 | 7:00 pm | (0) Comments

Nebraska officials release mountain lion

Journal staff

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials have released a mountain lion that was accidentally caught in a trap in Dawes County in the northwest corner of the state.

Jan 30, 2012 | 5:56 pm | (1) Comments

West River lawmaker says lions wrongly confiscated

Kevin Woster Journal staff

Two West River men stand to regain mountain lions carcasses that were confiscated by the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department if legislation by state Rep. Betty Olson becomes law.

Jan 28, 2012 | 6:00 am | (11) Comments

Governor appoints new GF&P commissioner

Journal staff

Sioux Falls businessman Duane Sather is the newest member of the state Game, Fish & Parks Commission.

Jan 28, 2012 | 2:00 am | (0) Comments

State GF&P Commission adds new member

Journal staff

Sioux Falls businessman Duane Sather is the newest member of the state Game, Fish & Parks Commission.

Jan 27, 2012 | 3:34 pm | (0) Comments

Spring Creek Chronicles: Black Hills producing mildly peculiar winter

Dick Kettlewell Journal correspondent

My footsteps across the Boland Ridge grasslands this morning produce an unfamiliar sound: the crunching of dried winter grass, instead of that proverbial squeak that comes from walking through several inches of snow.

Jan 26, 2012 | 8:29 pm | (0) Comments

Grandview second-grader excels at NFL's Punt, Pass & Kick

Joe Kavanaugh Journal correspondent

Most every youth who has ever picked up a football entertains the dream of one day stepping on to a National Football League field and sharing space with the best professional football players in the world.

Jan 19, 2012 | 9:00 pm | (0) Comments

The Rec Room: Nearing the end of catch-up season

Danny Lawhon Journal staff

I spent last week in this space catching some folks up on some fishing tournaments and winter festivals occurring throughout the region. I said I’d spend this week’s Rec Room column catching up on some more rec accomplishments from recent weeks. Let’s dive in.

Jan 19, 2012 | 8:15 pm | (0) Comments

Lester's powerlifting a showcase of strength

Ken Jones Journal correspondent

DEADWOOD — Whether in sports or in other pursuits, stars are rarely born overnight. Kayla Lester may be an exception, having literally burst onto the national powerlifting scene with a record-setting performance at her first full competitive meet.

Jan 12, 2012 | 10:00 pm | (1) Comments

The Rec Room: Fishing tourneys abound as winter (really) arrives

Danny Lawhon Journal staff

I’m not that much of a fan of New Year’s resolutions. I like the ideas behind them, but a lot of folks’ efforts to consciously change themselves last all of a couple of weeks before life happens again. It’s amazing how individually productive we can be from Jan. 1 through Jan. 15, and the…

Jan 12, 2012 | 7:00 pm | (0) Comments

Specialized shooting rest has Hill City's Swanson back hunting

Joe Kavanaugh Journal staff

You don’t have to search too long for a role model for the power of perseverance. Hill City’s Dusty Swanson remains very high on that list.

Jan 05, 2012 | 9:00 pm | (0) Comments

Outdoors Scene: GF&P seasonal applications online

Journal staff

Applications for summer employment with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks are now available online and at South Dakota One-Stop Career Centers.

Jan 05, 2012 | 6:45 pm | (0) Comments

The Black Hills’ show-off

Dick Kettlewell Journal correspondent

The beautiful bird strutted about on the curved branch of the old, dead cottonwood, casting his eyes across the distant prairie and always seeming to enjoy the attention he was receiving from me. As usual, he displayed no fear of my approach or of my subsequent activity as I went about th…

Dec 29, 2011 | 11:41 pm | (1) Comments

Anglers alter bait strategy for successful ice fishing

Ken Jones Journal correspondent

Nothing says Christmas like grubs, red maggots or mealworms — though maybe that sentiment applies just to those hearty souls who gather up their tackle and bait in pursuit of fish despite the winter chill.

Dec 22, 2011 | 10:25 pm | (0) Comments

Outdoors Scene: GF&P has summer jobs, internships available

Journal staff

It’s hard to beat a summer spent outdoors.

Dec 22, 2011 | 6:00 pm | (0) Comments

HENZLIK: Next-tier success involves crossing golf's fine line

Dean Henzlik Journal correspondent

“Q-School” is a series of tournaments where aspiring professionals chase their dream of earning a PGA Tour card. The finals ended earlier this month, and the top 25 earned their 2012 Tour privileges.

Dec 21, 2011 | 4:45 pm | (0) Comments

Combs' newfound archery prowess quickly blooming

Joe Kavanaugh Journal correspondent

For most of us, discovering a recreational activity that one passionately enjoys is one of life’s great pleasures. As for finding a sport that not only stokes our passions but also aligns with our personal attributes and skill set, well, that’s generally taking good fortune a bit too far.

Dec 15, 2011 | 9:00 pm | (0) Comments

The Rec Room: Area athletes making winter waves

Danny Lawhon Journal staff

The holiday weeks of Christmas and New Year’s are nearly here. Snowmobile season is here, too, though if you were reading last week in print or online, you’d have found that a couple portions of trails have either been altered or closed because of the ongoing pine beetle battle.

Dec 15, 2011 | 7:00 pm | (0) Comments