ST. PAUL, MN - Tomorrow, Governor Mark Dayton will travel to Worthington to host the Fourth Annual Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener. Celebrating the pheasant opener is a long-standing Minnesota tradition - and one that Governor Dayton has highlighted by hosting Governor's Pheasant Opener events in each of his four years as Governor.

"For almost 60 years, I have enjoyed pheasant hunting in Minnesota," said Governor Dayton, who began the Governor's Pheasant Opener tradition in 2011. "Over the past four years, we have enjoyed terrific Openers, thanks to the tremendous work of our hosts in Montevideo, Marshall, Madelia, and now Worthington."

Governor Dayton will be joined at this weekend's events by Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr, Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism John Edman, local elected officials, members of the Worthington community, Pheasants Forever, and Minnesota veterans.

In addition to hunting, a variety of activities will take place throughout the weekend. Events will include a community banquet, a wildlife management area dedication, a shooting tournament, and more.

A full schedule of events the Governor will be attending throughout the weekend is outlined below. These events are open to the press.

Photos from the Governor's Pheasant Opener will be posted online Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Photos may be downloaded from the Department of Natural Resources' photo library.

--- GOVERNOR DAYTON'S PHEASANT OPENER SCHEDULE ---

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

Governor's Pheasant Opener Reception and Banquet

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr
Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman
Pheasant Opener organizers, participants, and community members

WHAT:
Governor's Pheasant Opener Reception and Banquet, with a social hour beginning at 6:00pm and the official program beginning at 7:00pm

WHEN:
Friday, October 10
7:00pm

WHERE:
Worthington Event Center
1447 Prairie Drive
Worthington, Minnesota 56187

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

Breakfast and Registration

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Governor's Pheasant Opener Participants

WHAT:
Breakfast with Pheasant Opener participants, beginning at 6:00am

WHEN:
Saturday, October 11
6:00am

WHERE:
Worthington Event Center
1447 Prairie Drive
Worthington, Minnesota 56187

Media Availability with Governor Dayton

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton

WHAT:
Media availability with Governor Dayton, beginning at 7:45am

WHEN:
Saturday, October 11
7:45am

WHERE:
Worthington Event Center
1447 Prairie Drive
Worthington, Minnesota 56187

Hunting Sendoff with Wounded Warriors

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Minnesota Veterans with Wounded Warriors

WHAT:
Governor Dayton will see-off Minnesota veterans who are hunting Saturday with the Wounded Warriors

WHEN:
Saturday, October 11
8:30am

WHERE:
Lake Bella Waterfowl Production Area
(DIRECTIONS: County Road 57 to junction of County Road 4, continue three quarters mile south on gravel road to Lake Bella Waterfowl Production Area on right hand side of the road.)