Sports

In 2019, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launched a tool to help landowners address deer populations on their property. To keep hunter information current for landowners, all hunters must register in the program annually.

Coming off their season opener 82-44 win over the Plainview Pirates, the Ainsworth Bulldogs traveled to Burwell and were handed a 18-62 defeat on September 3rd. The Burwell Longhorns were Class D1 champions in 2020 and returned many starters.

Local farmer Chelsea Hladky recently directed a $2,500.00 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Sandhills Rod & Gun Club. The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by Bayer Fund, partners with farmers to provide grants to local nonprofits to help their communities.

In the first official Cross Country competition of the 2021 season, Ainsworth High School hosted the Ainsworth Cross Country Meet on Thursday, September 2nd at the Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course. It was a very good day for the 14th annual event.

Starting this fall, a new Special Landowner Deer Season gives a qualifying landowner a three-day season on their own property preceding the regular firearm deer season. The $8.00 Special Landowner Deer Permit is valid only for the three-day season: November 6-8, 2021.

The Valentine Girls Golf Team won the annual Ainsworth Girls Invitational held at the Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course on August 26th with a team score of 372. O’Neill took second place with a team score of 382 with the Valentine JV team placing third with a team score of 443.

The Ainsworth Lady Bulldogs kicked off the 2021 volleyball season with a four-set win against the North Central Knights on August 26th. A veteran lineup led the Bulldogs to wins against the Centennial Broncos and Valentine Badgers during weekend play at the Minden Tournament on August 28th.

Dates and Times Subject to Change September 2021 Thursday, September 2nd Little Paws & Elementary Picture Day. All other little ones can come from 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, located outside of Valentine, NE, is now accepting applications for the muzzleloader deer hunting season. The special refuge muzzleloader season occurs during the state November firearm deer hunting season and the December deer muzzleloader season. Muzzleloader deer hunting on the refuge is allowed by special use permit only.

A firearm hunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Bassett on Saturday, September 18th, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The free course will be held at the Bassett Legion Club at 201 Buchanan Street and continues on Sunday, September 19th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ainsworth Rod and Gun Club. Lunch will be provided on Saturday.