SD GFP NEWS FOR 2-11-09
Lake Alvin Hosts Kids Ice Fishing Event
Memorial Day Weekend Camping Reservations Open Feb. 21
Animals to Visit Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
2009 Ice Bowl Disc Golf Event to be Held at Big Sioux Recreation Area
Lake Alvin Hosts Kids Ice Fishing Event
HARRISBURG, S.D. - Lake Alvin Recreation Area near Harrisburg is hosting this year's First Catch kids ice fishing event scheduled for Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Registration is from noon to 1 p.m.
The event is free, and the first 250 kids will receive a free rod and reel. In addition, a collection of ice fishing jigs will also be handed out. Bait and refreshments are provided, and restroom facilities and warming huts are available. A shuttle will run from the beach to the fishing holes.
All children must have a parent or guardian with them at all times during the event. Adults who are fishing must have a fishing license. Children under 16 do not need a license since they will be accompanied by a licensed adult or volunteer.
"Sportsmen sometimes take fishing for granted," said Jeff Harding, director of First Catch. "There are a lot of kids that don't get these opportunities. We are giving them this opportunity. Parents can also attend a free seminar about taking kids ice fishing, and we will give free demonstrations on how ice fishing electronics work."
"We are also in need of volunteers for this event," added Harding. "Please take one day out of this ice fishing season to pass the fishing tradition on to other families." All volunteers should be present at 11 a.m.
The First Catch program is dedicated to providing opportunities for young anglers and families new to the sport of ice fishing. Lake Alvin is located 4 miles east and one mile north of Harrisburg off Co. 135. While there is no fee to fish, a park entrance license is required to enter the park.
For more information visit http://firstcatch.org/ or call 605-521-3000.
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Memorial Day Weekend Camping Reservations Open Feb. 21
PIERRE, S.D. - Campers can make reservations for Memorial Day weekend beginning Feb. 21 for a Friday, May 22 arrival.
"Memorial Day weekend is very busy in all the parks," said state park director, Doug Hofer. "Campers should plan ahead to reserve their favorite camping spot."
A three-night stay is required during holiday weekends at all state parks except Custer State Park. Reservations are currently being accepted for the entire camping season for campsites at Custer State Park, and at lodges in all state parks and recreation areas.
Reservations can be made online at www.CampSD.com or by calling (800) 710-CAMP. The telephone reservation center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. day (CT). Online reservations may be made 24 hours a day, though campsites do not become available until 7 a.m. on the first day of the 90-day window. There is a $7.70 per site non-refundable reservation fee, which is not applicable to South Dakota residents. A daily or annual park entrance license is required of all vehicles entering the park. Entrance fees are in addition to camping fees.
More information on reservations, including the full 90-day window calendar, can be found online at www.SDparks.info. Call (605) 773-3391 for additional information.
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Animals to Visit Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
LAKE CITY, S.D. - The Roots & Shoots group from Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, SD is sponsoring a Read-In/Animal Sharing time at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park on Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.
The group will focus on books from Jan Brett, with some of the outreach animals being the same animals that are in her books. The most recognizable animal is Kiwi, the African hedgehog. The group will also bring snakes!
"This is a great chance to experience nature up close, in a safe environment," said Katie Bogue, park manager at Fort Sisseton. "It's an opportunity, close to home, to spend a Saturday morning with your family and learn together while having a good time."
Roots & Shoots is a service-learning group that does projects for animals, people and the environment. The group is interested in reading and sharing animals to children ages birth to ten.
To sign up, please call Fort Sisseton at 605-448-5474 or email FortSisseton@state.sd.us.
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is located 10 southwest of Lake City off SD 10. For more information about the program, contact Fort Sisseton at (605) 448-5474.
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2009 Ice Bowl Disc Golf Event to be Held at Big Sioux Recreation Area
BRANDON, S.D. - Try out the new disc golf course at Big Sioux Recreation Area and give to the local food bank at the 2009 Ice Bowl Disc Golf Event on Feb. 22. Registration starts at 11 a.m. with play under way at noon.
The cost is $20 per person, plus non-perishable food items. Your entrance fee includes an ice bowl disc and a $5 donation to the Brandon food pantry. Discs are guaranteed for the first 35 entrants. In addition, participants are encouraged to bring food for a potluck.
Everyone will play 18 holes. Divisions include: competitive divisions (open, advanced, and intermediate) and a recreational division for new players/families. Prizes will be awarded for winners in each division. There will also be a $2 ace pool with added prize. Additional contests to be held include a putting contest, closest to the pin, and a ham toss (closest to the ham wins the ham).
"We have 9 of the new 18 holes completed at the new Big Sioux disc golf course," said Jason Baumann, park manager at Big Sioux Recreation Area. "So we will play these holes plus the original 9 for this event. It's the last time these holes will be used, as the new course will be completed this spring."
The Ice Bowl event is held in parks all over the country during January and February and allows disc golfers to raise food and money for their local food banks while getting out in the wintertime to play a round of disc golf.
"Our motto is 'no wimps and no whiners,' as this event will not be cancelled due to cold weather or snow," added Baumann.
A park entrance license is required to enter the park. For more information, contact John Wheeler at 605-336-5040 or chainbangers@yahoo.com.
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