ST. PAUL, MN - Tomorrow, Governor Mark Dayton will travel to Madelia to host the Third 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 first three years as Governor.

"For over 50 years, I have enjoyed pheasant hunting in Minnesota," said Governor Dayton, who began the Governor's Pheasant Opener tradition in 2011. "Over the past three years, we have enjoyed terrific Openers, thanks to the tremendous work of our hosts in Montevideo, Marshall, and now, Madelia."

Governor Dayton will be joined at this weekend's event by Madelia Mayor Mike Grote, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr, Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism John Edman, local elected officials, and members of the Madelia community. A number of Minnesota veterans will also attend the Governor's Pheasant Opener this year to participate in a special hunt with the Wounded Warriors Guide Service that will take place on land restored by the City of Madelia for accessible hunting.

In addition to hunting, a variety of activities will take place throughout the weekend. Events will include a community banquet, a free public concert with Martin Zellar and the Hardways, the dedication of Veterans Memorial for Madelia-area service members who are Missing in Action or who have been Killed in Action, a pancake breakfast, the dedication of new public lands for hunting, a shooting tournament, and more.

Following the pancake breakfast at the Madelia American Legion and VFW on Saturday morning at 8:30am, Governor Dayton will be available to speak with members of the press. 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 11

Madelia Veterans Memorial Dedication

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Family and loved ones of Madelia-area service members who are Missing in Action or have been Killed in Action
Members of the Madelia community

WHAT:
Dedication of the Madelia Veterans Memorial for military service members from the Madelia area who are Missing in Action or who have been Killed in Action

WHEN:
Friday, October 11
4:00pm

WHERE:
Madelia Veterans Memorial
Corner of W. Main Street and Benzel Ave. NW
Madelia, MN


Governor's Pheasant Opener Reception and Banquet

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Madelia Mayor Mike Grote
Madelia Chamber of Commerce President Tom Osborne
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 11
6:00pm

WHERE:
Madelia American Legion and VFW
34 First Street NW
Madelia, MN


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

Pancake Breakfast Hosted by the Madelia Fire Department

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Madelia Fire Department
Governor's Pheasant Opener Participants

WHAT:
Pancake breakfast

WHEN:
Saturday, October 12
6:00am

WHERE:
Madelia American Legion and VFW
34 First Street NW
Madelia, MN


Media Availability with Governor Dayton

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton

WHAT:
Media availability with Governor Dayton outside the Madelia American Legion and VFW

WHEN:
Saturday, October 12
8:30am

WHERE:
Madelia American Legion and VFW
34 First Street NW
Madelia, MN


Land Dedication Ceremony

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Tom Landwehr, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources
Dennis Malmgren, President of Watonwan County Pheasants Forever Chapter
Chad Bloom, Pheasants Forever Regional Representative

WHAT:
Dedication of land for public hunting

WHEN:
Saturday, October 12
12:00pm

WHERE:
Younger Brothers Wildlife Management Area and Walk-in Access
77253 290th Street
Madelia, MN
(5.2 miles west of Hwy 15 on Watonwan County 3)


Hunters Lunch

WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Governor's Pheasant Opener Participants

WHAT:
Hunters and community members will gather for lunch at the land dedication site at Younger Brothers Wildlife Management Area and Walk-in Access

WHEN:
Saturday, October 12
12:30pm

WHERE:
Younger Brothers Wildlife Management Area and Walk-in Access
77253 290th Street
Madelia, MN
(5.2 miles west of Hwy 15 on Watonwan County 3)