Alva Review-Courier -

Alva was among the communities Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell visited last week to host the 36th Annual Lt. Governor's Turkey Hunt. Ardmore, Duncan, Elk City, Okemah and Woodward were on his list the same day, with Hugo scheduled the following week (April 24–26).

The turkey hunt is an economic development tool that showcases Oklahoma communities to prospective businesses and helps them familiarize themselves with the area and its people. Since its inception in 1988, the Lt. Governor's Annual Turkey Hunt has played a pivotal role in attracting development partners to communities across Oklahoma. This exclusive event, held in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, has gained international recognition, drawing esteemed guests from around the globe.

Like last year, Damon and Ashley Sherrell hosted a dinner and dessert at their barn north of town. Woods County Economic Development Committee Executive Director Jeremy Zeller and his committee of local leaders prepared the setting for a social hour, followed by a steak dinner with all the trimmings.

After the meal, several people spoke, including Alva Mayor Kelly Parker (who got the crowd laughing several times), Waynoka Mayor Susan Bradford and Freedom Mayor Concha Herrera. Each had positive things to say about their unique communities before giving the floor to the lt. governor.

Pinnell Commends Woods County

In his address, Lt. Gov. Pinnell commended Woods County leaders for their collaboration and recognized Oklahoma Senator Roland Pederson and Oklahoma Representative of the 58th District Carl Newton, who were also in attendance. He told attendees he had not gotten any turkeys, though he heard some gobbling in Okemah. He said getting one would have been nice, but his real aim with the turkey hunt was to show off northwest Oklahoma.

"We're getting more diversified as a state, and we're investing in our communities, large and small," Pinnell said.

He told the story of a family from Colorado who, during the Covid-19 pandemic, went stir-crazy from everything being shuttered, including state parks. Avid lovers of state parks, the family Googled to find open parks, and Oklahoma's popped up.

The wife was from Texas and didn't want to go to Oklahoma, but the husband had never been. Pinnell joked that he was in charge of Oklahoma's state parks then, and he was not about to tell a mama bear in a minivan that she couldn't walk in the woods with her four kids. The family ended up coming to Oklahoma and were able to visit seven state parks.

Pinnell asked, "Guess who now lives in Oklahoma?" The family fell in love with the state and relocated to Oklahoma City. "One family at a time. One turkey hunt at a time," the Lt. Gov. said. "The connections we're able to make today, I'm telling you, matters!"

A self-proclaimed "data nerd," Pinnell shared migration numbers: Last month's data said that Oklahoma is No. 9 in the country in net migration growth over the past year. More Texans moved to Oklahoma last year than Oklahomans moved to Texas.

The lt. governor bragged about Oklahoma's school system, including its universities and tech schools, and said there were innumerable reasons for out-of-staters to consider calling Oklahoma home.

"We are as diverse as anybody in our landscape and in our people. If we talk about that, we will grow this state. (...) It's us, folks. We're carrying the flag now. It's Oklahoma, not that state to the south of us anymore."

Pinnell received a hearty round of applause, and the floor opened to local business owner Dean Goll of Dean Goll Real Estate and Auction, who served as auctioneer, with Keith Rose as his sidekick. The pair auctioned off several items, including guns, artwork and turkey callers. (All proceeds from the auction will go back into the Turkey Hunt.) Gun winners from this year's hunt were hunter Mallory Estes, guide Tyson Rose and landowner Dan Sherrell.

Hunt Participants

Desiree Morehead

A live auction was held during the Lt. Governor Turkey Hunt Thursday, April 18; the money made by the auction will go on to help with next year's turkey hunt.

The Turkey Hunt Committee consists of Keith Rose, Todd Holder, Steve Sterling, Cale Leeper, Susan Bradford, Concha Herrera, Kelly Parker, Stephen Ford, Jeremy Zeller, Dr. Kay Decker, Alva Chamber of Commerce, Caitlin Hofen, Ky Pfleider, Monty Pfleider, Pat Harris, Chad Collins, Nathan Rose, Tyson Rose, Danny Bouziden, Bryan Miller, Steve Ward, Drake Lewis, and Tom Hill. The Hospitality Committee is Brenda Rose, Shannon Wilson, Ashley Sherrell, and Paula McMurphy. The 2024 Lt. Gov Turkey Hunt's hunting guides were Ky Pfleider, Monty Pfleider, Pat Harris, Chad Collins, Nathan Rose, Tyson Rose, Tom Hill, Keith Rose, Danny Bouziden, Steve Ward, and Drake Lewis.

This year's special guests were Mallory Estes of BNSF Railway, Troy Humphrey of Land Run Commercial Real Estate, Martin Marietta's Joe Mathia, Ryan Culp of Retail Strategies, Stan Ralstin and Jared Cooper of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Danny Kelly of Epco Limited, Richard Ross, Larry Gerads, president of Safari Club International, and Lee Brandt.

Many sponsors make the annual turkey hunt possible.