12:31 a.m. AKST, March 4, 2011

The South Dakota Walleye Classic and Festival in Akaska will be Aug. 10-14.

The 2011 rules, registration and announcements are now posted at sdwalleyeclassic.com. North Dakotan Jesse Buechel was last year's pro winner as he lead wire-to-wire for three days on Lake Oahe, catching and releasing 21 walleye that weighed 95.56 pounds to win the title by more than 15 pounds. Details: classic president Bill Waeckerle at (605) 850-9738.

North Dakota state shoot

The North Dakota Bowhunters Association state shoot and banquet will be April 1-2 in Jamestown.

The general membership meeting is at 7 p.m. April 1 at the Gladstone Inn. The state banquet at the Jamestown Civic Center is April 2, with a 6 p.m. social and raffle before the 7 p.m. banquet. Guest speaker is Keith Beam, executive producer of the Wild Outdoors television show.

Advance tickets are $25 per member, $35 non-member, $17.50 for members' children ages 12 and under and $27.50 for non-members' children. All prices $10 higher after March 18.

South Dakotan honored

The National Wild Turkey Federation has named regional supervisor Mike Kintigh of Rapid City as its 2011 South Dakota Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

The program honors the nation's top wildlife officers in appreciation for their dedication to conserving wildlife and upholding the law. He recently was honored at the NWTF's 35th annual National Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn.

GFP honors 4 landowners

GFP has honored four private landowners as its Regional Habitat Partners of the Year.

The award recognizes landowners who have established and enhanced habitat for wildlife and fish in South Dakota. The four regional awards went to: Marty Vanderploeg, Martin, in the West region; Gordon Heber, Sioux Falls, in the Central region; Ron Pesek, Yankton, in the Southeast region; and Steve Horning, Watertown, in the Northeast region. Nominees come from GFP staff.

“These individuals are perfect examples of the partnership our agency relies on with the many private landowners in our state to provide quality habitat for survival of wildlife and fish,” said Tom Kirschenmann, GFP chief of terrestrial services. “Because of the initiative taken by these individuals, the future for South Dakota's wildlife remains bright in all corners of the state.”

Open raptor cases

GFP's Turn In Poachers would like to remind people of several ongoing, unsolved cases involving eagles and other raptors:

Dec. 28, 2007: A wounded adult golden eagle was located 4 miles north and 2 miles west of Ipswich. The bird was believed to have been shot in the Dec. 25-27 period.

Dec. 1, 2008: An injured immature bald eagle that had been shot was found 2 miles north and 2 miles west of Tulare. The eagle died while the veterinarian was doing surgery to repair a broken leg.

Dec. 27, 2008: A golden eagle that had been shot was found on 413th Ave, between 183rd and 185th Street north and west of Carpenter. Due to the extent of its injuries, the bird had to be euthanized.

March 26, 2009: A dead eagle that had been shot was found on 193rd Street, 1 miles east of Highway 37 in Beadle County.

April 11, 2009: An immature bald eagle was shot in Roberts County, about 1 mile south of the North Dakota line, on the west side of Highway 127. The bird had to be euthanized due to the extent of its injuries.