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Hunting festival should be considered

By Staff | Oct 2, 2009

Summer has passed, and the Rugby region looks forward to the beauty and spectacle of autumn.

Fall is a significant time of year for many local businesses as the waterfowl season brings a number of out-of-town duck and goose hunters to the area.

Many businesses, including motels and restaurants as well as bars, gas stations and some retail stores that carry hunting supplies, count on the hunters’ return to boost their bottom line, but it’s evident the entire community benefits when these visitors spend time and money in our city.

While the community is certainly mindful that many waterfowl hunters return to this region year after year, there has been past discussion about how the community can more effectively promote itself as a destination for hunting for the north central region.

One of the ideas that has been mentioned is a festival to draw additional attention to the region’s prime waterfowl flyway.

Other communities such as Kenmare have held events to celebrate the prime hunting experience in their area and its importance to the local economy.

Planning a fall hunting festival in Rugby would be no small task. It would take coordination by many businesses and the support, and of course, the help of local organizations and residents.

One good thing going for the community already is the fact many hunters return year after year. The work would include planning events that would attract both hunters and the community to participate.

However, every successful event must begin somewhere, and if enough residents believe strongly that an event like this could bring additional visitors to town, be an economic boost, further promote our community and be a source of community pride, then it should be given some thought.

It has worked in other communities and maybe it would be well received at the Geographical Center.