Rock County Sports
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorJanuary 25, 2024The Blue Mound Figure Skaters hosted their 2024 Ice Crystal Classic competition Jan. 19-21 at the Blue Mound Ice Arena in Luverne. “It was another successful competition,” competition director Marian Schneekloth said. Nearly 100 skaters from five different rinks competed in the event. They included Hutchinson Figure Skaters, who took home first place, second-place Yankton Area Ice Association…- By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorJanuary 17, 2024Mother Nature took a turn for the worse this past week causing several local sporting events to be postponed or rescheduled. After a mild winter through the first of the year, this winter storm and freezing temperatures hit the area hard. Both Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek schools called off activities, 14 in total, and were forced to reschedule some and postpone others. On Tuesday, Jan. 9,…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistJanuary 17, 2024We just had our first snow of the season, and it did not take very long to wish we had missed the snow for the entire winter. The cold temperatures expected later in the week would have gone a long way to creating safe ice for all of those ice anglers waiting on the shore. With eight inches of snow on what little ice was there, it will now delay the formation of safe ice, as the snow will act…
By Scot Rall, Outdoor ColumnistJanuary 10, 2024An interesting winter we’ve been having until this week. Don’t get me wrong, but I can say I totally loved it. There was no snow to shovel and holiday travel and other events had no road conditions to worry about. What this also means is that if you are a die-hard ice angler or pike spearer, there has been very little to no opportunity in the southern half of Minnesota. There is still some cool…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistJanuary 03, 2024By the time you read this, the 22-23 pheasant hunting season will have come to a close. My dad always used to tell me that if you want to see how fast time flies, take out a 90-day note at the bank. I will add to that with how time flies; just see how fast a 10-week pheasant season vanishes. I had a very good season, with more birds harvested this year over last. Like every year, the later into…
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorDecember 27, 2023The 2023 sports season saw eight teams make state appearances from both Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek communities. The Cardinals and Patriots also had several individual athletes participate in state events which included gymnastics, wrestling, track and field, cross-country and golf. Here is a breakdown of the teams and individuals that made state appearances this past year. LHS Girls’…
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorDecember 27, 2023As we usher out another year, we look ahead to a new year of possibilities and experiences. Looking back, I reflect on the sports I have covered, the people I have met, the places I have been able to go, and things I was able to do in my job as the sports editor: •all the miles I’ve driven for LHS and H-BC events, Redbird baseball playoffs, and state competitions in St. Paul. •the thousands of…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistDecember 27, 2023So, when does an afternoon pheasant hunt turn into a nature walk? Every hunt is a nature walk, but normally at least a few of those nature walks will result in a pheasant or two in the game vest. Late season is far harder than hunting the young and dumb ones that had never been busted by a dog. There is a certain challenge in hunting last season roosters and it is a challenge I enjoy, but this…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistDecember 20, 2023When is the last time someone did something really impressive and you had more fun watching than if you had done that impressive thing yourself? It happens to me all the time in the outdoors. Watching someone harvest or catch their personal best in just about any category is pretty easy to get excited about. My son Brandon moved home from the Denver, Colorado, area about a year ago, and now I…- By MN DNRDecember 13, 2023Hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, squirrels or rabbits offers opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota outdoors as temperatures fall and snow blankets the landscape. Pheasant hunting season is open through Jan. 1, 2024. On Dec. 1 the daily bag limit increases to three roosters, with a possession limit of nine roosters. The best places to find pheasants at this time of year are in tall grass or…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistDecember 06, 2023Last week I shared some changes that were taking place in Minnesota with regard to the deer archery season and how these changes were being received very differently by differing groups of archery hunters. You can look back to last week if you missed it. I promised I would again cover some changes in the way hunters harvest deer in Minnesota. This week’s subject matter is the muzzle loader…
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorNovember 29, 2023Joe Roberts Field, located behind the Rock County Highway Department, is getting an upgrade, thanks in part to the Luverne Baseball Association, Rock County Highway Department and C&B Operations of Luverne. C&B, as part of the company’s community impact program, began pulling out the old metal fences and posts Wednesday, Nov. 22. “We like to do at least one community project a year to…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistNovember 29, 2023The firearms deer season opened on Nov. 4 and runs through Dec. 12 in most of the southern part of Minnesota. I have a friend who drives from Madison, Wisconsin, to Nobles County every year to spend some time in the deer stand with me. The reason he does so is that if I happen to shoot a deer, he does all of the processing of that deer and then takes the meat home with him. In Wisconsin where…- By Minnesota DNRNovember 29, 2023For those hunting for holiday gift ideas, consider giving someone the opportunity for a lifetime of outdoor adventures with a Minnesota lifetime fishing or hunting license. The memory of time spent outdoors is one of the most meaningful gifts one can give. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers reduced rates for those under age 16 and over 50. Plus, if license prices increase or…
- By Minnesota DNRNovember 29, 2023Hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, squirrels or rabbits offers opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota outdoors as temperatures fall and snow blankets the landscape. Pheasant hunting season is open through Jan. 1, 2024. On Dec. 1 the daily bag limit increases to three roosters, with a possession limit of nine roosters. The best places to find pheasants at this time of year are in tall grass or…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistNovember 21, 2023Deer hunting in Minnesota is a very big deal. License sales to date for Minnesota this year total $395,000. That is a lot of guys and gals in orange spread across our great state. One great fact to remember is just how safe hunting actually is. There were a very small number of injuries this season, and most if not all of them were associated with an adult hunting with a youth during their…
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