DES MOINES — The reintroduction of wild turkeys to Iowa’s landscape has been celebrated as a conservation success story for the past 25 years. But Iowa’s turkey population is showing troubling signs: the numbers are down, nests are failing and fewer poults are surviving. And it’s not just an Iowa problem — turkey populations are declining in all states in the Midwest and across the eastern half of the United States.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings in 18 different sites where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.

Ice fishing opportunities have been limited in my part of the world so far this ice fishing season. Warmer than usual temperatures have created inconsistent ice conditions. It’s been challenging to find a place to safely go ice fishing.

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation recently completed the purchase of 132 acres on the east side of Big Spirit Lake (to the east side of 270th Avenue) from the Gruhn family. The property will eventually be sold and transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and opened to the public.

People who don’t go ice fishing very often might question the affect that weather has on catching fish through the ice. But most ice anglers agree that weather can have a significant impact on ice fishing success. They know that there are some types of weather that make fish under the ice want to bite, and there are some types of weather that spoils their appetites.

Hunting seasons will begin closing soon in early January. Pheasant, archery turkey and deer seasons, and late muzzleloader deer season close on Jan. 10. Goose seasons start closing first in the north zone on Jan. 13, followed by the central zone on Jan. 20, and the south zone on Jan. 27.

The season for quail, partridge, ruffed grouse, and squirrels closes Jan. 31. Rabbit season closes Feb. 28.

Well, I think it’s finally going to happen! Yes, I think it’s time to make sure you have all your ice fishing gear ready to go. Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 10, the low is forecast to be in the single digits.

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes women’s basketball team fell at home to Ellsworth Community College, 59-57, Wednesday night, Jan. 10.

The Lakers were led by Allo Wolff with 16 points and Jordyn Stokes added 11 points.

Ellsworth was led by Taylor Ross with 13 points.

The Lakers are 6-10 on the season and 2-5 in conference play. The Lakers next home game is Saturday against NIACC at 1 p.m.

ESTHERVILLE — The 15th-ranked Iowa Lakes men's basketball team knocked off fifth-ranked Ellsworth with a 81-69 win Wednesday night, Jan. 10. The Lakers moved to 12-4 on the year and 4-2 in Iowa Community College Athletic Conference play.

The Lakers were led by Kai Evan with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Blake Kooiman added 17 points, Sam West had 15, and Benard Omooria added 11.

Ellsworth was led by Clifton Efinda with 22 points.

SIOUX RAPIDS — Fifth-ranked Sioux Central raced to a 16-point lead after the first quarter and was never threatened in a 74-32 win over West Bend-Mallard Friday, Jan. 5.

The Rebels led 20-4 after one period, 44-21 at the half and 65-27 after three periods.

AMES — Spencer’s boys wrestling team competed in a 13-team field at Ames Saturday, Jan. 6, against wrestlers from second-ranked Indianola, third-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock, fourth-ranked Fort Dodge and other top squads. There were 43 ranked wrestlers involved. Here is how the individual Tigers fared:

CHEROKEE — Spencer claimed a pair dual meet wins in a Lakes Conference triangular Thursday, Jan. 4.

The Tigers toppled Estherville-Lincoln Central, 45-27, in one of the two meets.

“Going into this match, it looked pretty close on paper,” Tigers assistant coach Dave Doebel explained. “As coaches we were looking to pick up extra points in our favored weight classes and looking for close losses that wouldn't cost six team points with pins.

WATERLOO — Spencer swam to third place in a five-team field at the Wahawk Invitational hosted by Waterloo West High School Saturday, Jan. 6.

The Tigers had 239 points. Decorah won the event with 365 points. Newton-Colfax-Mingo-Pellas had 251 points. Vinton-Shellsburg-Center Point-Urbana was fourth with 190, Waterloo was fifth with 172 and Keokuk was sixth with 39.

SIOUX RAPIDS — Sioux Central led by six at the half and pulled away from West Bend-Mallard in the second half to claim a 64-44 Twin Lakes Conference boys basketball win Friday, Jan. 5.

The Rebels were up 14-13 after the first eight minutes and led 26-20 at the half, but they outscored the Wolverines 23-12 in the third quarter and put the game away.