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Gun magazines seem to love “What Cartridge is Best” articles. While not best, if I were to name my favorite rifle cartridge, I’d pick what is labeled as the “.45-70 Government.” First off, I enjoy the historical aspect of the .45-70. The cartridge was adopted as the primary round of the U.S. military back in 1873, and for me the .45-70 has local color. Nearby Fort Randall’s primary purpose was to keep the peace and protect the advancing settlement in the area, and the Fort Randall infantry carried Springfield single-shot “Trapdoor” rifles in .45-70 caliber.
Read moreWhen I was in high school, I played a lot of golf at Lake Region Golf Course, a pretty nine-hole course near Lake Poinsett. It featured few water hazards and no sand traps, but there was a barber pole on the long par-5 fifth hole. Golfers had to stay to the left as they navigated the dogleg right, otherwise it was a penalty. I always thought was a quirky feature. Then a few years ago we did a story on some of South Dakota’s most unusual golf courses, and I discovered far more idiosyncrasies on the links all over the state.
Read moreI can’t say I’ve ever given much thought to a musk ox hunt – at least not until I talked to Mitchell’s Paul Muth about his recent expedition to the far north. Paul and his brother Dan flew to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut Territory, Canada by way of Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Calgary, Edmonton, Yellow Knife in the Northwest Territory, and finally Cambridge Bay.
Read moreThe act of breathing is essential to life and can be done with or without thinking about it. You can control your breath and vary it, but eventually air must come in, and air must go out.
Read moreWhen I was in high school, I played a lot of golf at Lake Region Golf Course, a pretty ninehole course near Lake Poinsett. It featured few water hazards and no sand traps, but there was a barber pole on the long par-5 fifth hole. Golfers had to stay to the left as they navigated the dogleg right, otherwise it was a penalty. I always thought was a quirky feature. Then a few years ago we did a story on some of South Dakota’s most unusual golf courses, and I discovered far more idiosyncrasies on the links all over the state.
Read moreOn Tuesday, April 5th, I phoned the Pierre office of SD Game, Fish, & Parks. My turkey tag hadn’t yet arrived, and opening day was the coming Saturday, April 9th. I was a wee bit concerned. “Don’t worry,” they said. “There’s a glitch in the system, and your tag is in the mail.” Guess what. No tag in Wednesday’s mail. I next emailed SDGF&P about my turkey tag. Their reply? Same as Tuesday’s. “Your tag is in the mail.”
Read moreSome time ago a former Mitchell Daily Republic editor asked me if I’d like to see my column syndicated, and I told him that syndication would be ok by me. He failed in his attempt to syndicate the column, and I suspect that the failure related to my column being too local and not regional enough. It lacked relevance to readers as far south as Omaha and as far north as the twin cities. I wasn’t too disappointed as I was more interested in keeping a personal relationship with my local readers.
Read moreSkin is the largest organ in the human body, but it’s easy to take it for granted. Unless we notice pain or itching or funny spots, most people don’t give it much thought.
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