About two dozen business and government leaders from eastern Nebraska and elsewhere are  in the Chadron area as part of a special event…the Pine Ridge Wild Turkey Hunt, organized by the Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation.

NNDC Executive Director Deb Cottier says the idea is to bring in business and political leaders who may not be familiar with the region, give them a fun activity, and have a chance to informally tell them about the economic development opportunities in the area.

This year’s group includes corporate officials who have a presence in Chadron, current and former economic developers, and six state senators…although several of the senators could attend only the Wednesday night get-acquainted dinner.

Cottier admits she was worried after Friday’s blizzard dropped between a foot and 3-feet of snow in the Chadron area, but was relieved when it became evident enough landowners were still willing to take part and that enough snow would melt by Thursday to allow hunting to take place.

She says the Pine Ridge Turkey Hunt wouldn’t be possible without the help and cooperation of Dawes County landowners who’ve opened their property to the hunters and…in many cases…are serving as guides for them.

NNDC held similar hunts for several years in the 1990s when Ben Nelson, a hunter was governor, but dropped the event when Mike Johanns, who is not a hunter, succeeded Nelson.

Cottier,  Nelson’s western representative as both governor and U-S Senator, brought back the hunt after she was hired by the NNDC in 2009

She admits it’s a little difficult to point to any specific results from the turkey hunts of the past, but is convinced there were plenty…led by the personal relationships developed with the visitors.