The Southeast Missouri School of Archery, based out of Twisted Arrow in Poplar Bluff and only in its second year, took seven young archers to the S3DA Outdoor Field Archery Nationals last weekend in Fairfield, Ohio, and every single one of them finished in the top 20 in their division.
Cassie Haldeman grabbed sixth place in the female young adult bowhunter division, while Natalie Akers earned eight place.
In the youth bowhunter male division, Robbie Haldeman earned a sixth-place finish.
The Eagle Bowhunter division is for younger shooters, and that’s where Blaine Humphrey captured sixth place.
In the young female open division, Zoie Davis grabbed eighth place.
Rounding out the team’s scoring were Addison Dean taking 17th place in the female youth bowhunter division and Nicole Akers taking 19th place.
“It was awesome,” said coach Jim Akers of the trip to Nationals. “I’m proud of how much time and effort the kids put into this.”
Twenty-five teams fished last weekend’s Current River Smallmouth Association event at Doniphan, which ended up being a bit of a nail biter, with the top five teams all within a pound and a half of each other.
All but two teams weighed five-fish limits, which is pretty impressive considering there were some boat races going on at the same time.
After 10 hours on the water, the team of Caringer and Green came away as winners, hauling in 9.97 pounds to the scales.
Second place was earned by Gordon and Million with 9.31 pounds. They also had the day’s second-largest bass, weighing in at 2.95 pounds.
Taking the third spot was the team of Leach and Powell with 9.28 pounds.
In fourth place, with 8.63 pounds, was the team of Caringer and Kram. The drop also had the day’s biggest bass, which tipped the scales at 3.68 pounds.
Rounding out the top five was the team of Barnes and Cooper, who had a total stringer weight of 8.56 pounds.
The Current River Smallmouth Association will fish next on July 31, the date of its annual “King of the River” tournament.
The next bass tournament on the local schedule is one hosted by the Wappapello Bass Circuit on Saturday.
The event, based out of the Redman Creek ramp, will kick off at 6 a.m. and will wrap up at 2 p.m.
A pre-event meeting will be held at the Wappapello VFW at 6:30 p.m. Friday to assign boat numbers.
To register or get more information, contact tournament director Justun Buchanan at 573-429-6312.
Other than fishing, which has been slow for the most part, there’s not a lot else going on in the outdoors, and the rising temperatures and humidity aren’t helping things.
I have seen evidence of better squirrel movement lately, but I’m not sure how many hunters are actually pursuing them now.
A month ago, I couldn’t find a squirrel, but it appears things have improved at least some.
In a couple more weeks, hickory nuts should begin to ripen, and that’s when I really like to go after squirrels. When they’re cutting hickories, you can hear them from a long way off and sneak in close, and they sometimes seem oblivious to the world around them.
The Crowley’s Ridge Limbhangers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual banquet Friday, Aug. 6.
The event will be held at the Gathering at Versity Crossing, 1430 N. Outer Rd. In Dexter.
The doors will open at 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $45 for a single, $60 for a couple or $20 for a youth. Sponsorships also are available ranging from $280 to $1,500.
Dale Kemp has more information at 573-624-1283.
Paul Davis is the outdoors editor for the Daily American Republic and can be reached at pdavis.dar@gmail.com.