Pine Ridge turkey hunt spawns comradery

It’s that time of the year again in the Big Red State. Time for hunting, the birds are chirping, the antelope are roaming, and the turkeys are strutting. The turkeys aren’t the only ones looking to strut their stuff. Participants of the Pine Ridge Wild Turkey Hunt will be looking to do so on Oct. 7-8. This marks the sixth year in a row the Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation will host the event. Among the people hosted are business leaders, corporate sponsors, and elected officials to VIP hunts on private land. In addition, two Chadron State College students will be sponsored by the college to participate in the hunt.

According to Nebraska Northwest Development Center, the turkey hunt is used to share the natural resources from the Pine Ridge area with people who are less familiar. This enhances the visitor industry with the goal to expose opportunities for business leaders. By inviting members of Chadron State College to participate, it provides a strong connection between the college and surrounding community. The most recent newsletter by the NNDC states that corporate sponsor and hunter’s fees pay for the event so that no regular budget dollars are used for this event.

The first day of Pine Ridge Wild Turkey Hunt will consist of trap shooting in the afternoon. Followed by an opening dinner where participants meet with their team members and guides. The hunt takes place early on day two after breakfast. That afternoon hunters will rejoin at the Museum of the Fur Trade to reflect on the days hunting experiences. That night a banquet will be at Chadron State Park. Prizes will be awarded for the longest beard and special recognition will be given for unique events that occurred on the hunt.

I would encourage anyone who is interested to get in the outdoors and pick up a turkey permit while you are at it. Hunting is an extremely rewarding process that enables us to reflect on our accomplishments. Permits can be purchased through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website. State law requires turkey hunters to have a turkey permit and habitat stamp. A fall permit is valid for two turkeys of either sex. According to a 2014 survey done by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, a majority of the people who have hunted turkeys were satisfied with the quality of their hunt.