Paddlefish season in Iowa begins this weekend on the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers. Iowa residents can no longer apply for licenses or paddlefish tags, but D-N-R fisheries biologist Van Sterner says those who are eligible for the season — which opens Sunday — are required to follow strict rules.  “We do have a protected slot limit,” Sterner says. “Fish measuring 35 to 45 inches, measured from the front of the eye to the fork in the tail, must be released immediately, unharmed.”

The odd-looking fish has a flat front that looks kind of like a paddle. It’s also known as a spoonbill. Sterner says some of the fish may have a tag in their lower jaw that’s very similar to those seen on waterfowl. Those who snag a tagged fish are asked to report it to the Department of Natural Resources to help track and research the population. “Nebraska and South Dakota do have a fairly valid estimate up there in the Gavins Point area but down this way, in the channelized stretch of the river, we just haven’t collected enough tag returns,” Sterner says. “This is all based on mark and recapture and we haven’t collected enough recaptures to give us a valid estimate yet.”

He says the department is hoping to increase interest in catching paddlefish in the future. “We offered 1,000 licenses, 950 resident licenses and 50 non-resident licenses,” Sterner says. “The 50 non-residents sold out and we sold a total of 743 licenses, so we didn’t sell out this year.”

This will be the first time anyone can legally go after paddlefish on the two rivers since 1986 when fishing was cut off out of concern for the survival of the species. The season opens Sunday and will continue through April 15th.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging hunters to be aware that gray wolves are once again a protected federal species. D-N-R furbearer biologist, Vince Evelsizer, says they want to remind Iowa hunters after the gray wolf protection was reinstated near the end of December. “It just means to be sure of your target — especially if you are out coyote hunting this time of the year when the season is still open for coyotes — to keep an eye out. Because now the gray wolf is protected both federally and state protected,” Evelsizer says.

The change protects gray wolves in all of Wisconsin and Michigan, the eastern half of North Dakota and South Dakota, and the northern half of Iowa. Evelsizer says it is possible a hunter might mistake a gray wolf for a coyote and fire at the animal. “I think you could, I think it’s possible. I think most Iowans when they are out coyote hunting are not expecting or really keeping an eye out for a gray wolf when they coyote hunt,” according to Evelsizer. “We are just reminding folks that it’s time to start doing that more. We’ve had a few larger canines in our state recently.”

Wolves generally are larger and bulkier while coyotes are shorter, sleek and lighter on their feet. Evelsizer says there is not a breeding population of gray wolves in Iowa. He says it’s hard to figure just how many might be here. “It’s been occasional, it’s always a little tough to tell as there is sometimes dog-wolf hybrids out there,” Evelsizer says.

The D-N-R has information and identification tips online at www.iowadnr.gov/wolves.

(Radio Iowa)

Regional Finals all games at 7:00pm

CLASS 1A:
Nodaway Valley vs. Fremont-Mills, Tabor @ Atlantic
Danville vs. Sigourney @ Fairfield
Gladbrook-Reinbeck vs. West Central, Maynard @ Independence
Grand View Christian School vs. Earlham @ Johnston
West Hancock, Britt vs. Nashua-Plainfield @ Mason City
Marquette Catholic, Bellevue vs. Belle Plaine @ Prairie, Cedar Rapids
Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto vs. Lawton-Bronson @ Sioux City, North
South O’Brien, Paullina vs. Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire @ Spencer

CLASS 2A:
Pocahontas Area vs. Forest City @ Algona
Pella Christian vs. Des Moines Christian @ Ankeny
Aplington-Parkersburg vs. New Hampton @ Cedar Falls High School
Monticello vs. Cascade, Western Dubuque @ Dubuque, Senior
Treynor vs. IKM-Manning @ Harlan Community
Sioux Center vs. Western Christian, Hull @ MOC-Floyd Valley
Regina, Iowa City vs. West Burlington @ Muscatine
Woodward Academy vs. Panorama, Panora @ Waukee

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Chris Parks.

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JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Wainwright won’t pitch in exhibition games until mid-March because of his abdominal strain, a delay that could prevent the St. Louis Cardinals ace from starting the major league season opener at the Chicago Cubs on April 5.’

Wainwright was hurt Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. He returned to St. Louis for an examination by Dr. Michael Brunt, who said the injury was minor. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is open to the idea of pushing back Wainwright’s season debut a couple of days if the right-hander doesn’t respond to proscribed rest as quickly as doctors expect.

4A Semifinals
Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 75, Lewis Central 57
Sioux City, North 78, Sioux City, East 73

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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1-A District 12 Championship
Earlham 74, Murray 48

1-A District 13 Championship
Nodaway Valley 66, Paton-Churdan 48

1-A District 14 Championship
Fremont Mills 67, Sidney 62

1-A District 15 Championship
Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto 74, Ar-We-Va 59

3-A District 15 Championship
Denison-Schleswig 68, Carroll 65

3-A District 16 Championship
Glenwood 58, Harlan 56, OT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Bethany Doolittle scored 22 points, Samantha Logic finished an assist short of a triple-double Thursday night and No. 17 Iowa held off Wisconsin 78-74 to remain in second place in the Big Ten with one game remaining. Logic, a Wisconsin native who had her career high of 30 points in the last meeting, had 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Hawkeyes (22-6, 13-4 Big Ten). Ally Disterhoft added 17 points.

The Badgers (8-19, 4-13) trailed by 13 with 3:27 to play but after Nicole Bauman’s 3-pointer made it 73-70 at 56 seconds, Doolittle scored. Bauman made two free throws at 23 seconds, and then Logic fed Disterhoft for a five-point lead at 21 seconds. Jacki Gulczynski had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Bauman finished with 18 points for the Badgers.

Iowa can finish unbeaten at home for the fifth time and match the 1992-93 team’s 15-0 record with a win over Minnesota on Sunday.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain but the St. Louis ace could be available to pitch the Cardinals’ opener at Wrigley Field on April 5. Wainwright strained the muscle on Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. General manager John Mozeliak said Thursday the strain is about belt high.

Wainwright said the pain originally felt like a twinge when it first occurred and the injury bothered him when he ran or lunged but did not affect his pitching. He walked off a practice field Tuesday following the team’s stretch, returned to St. Louis on Wednesday and was examined by Dr. Michael Brunt on Thursday.