Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith kicked off the 2017 pheasant hunting season this morning in Marshall, where 153 hunters harvested 28 roosters
ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith hosted the Seventh Annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Marshall this weekend. This morning, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith led hunting parties to open the pheasant hunting season, but did not have an opportunity to harvest pheasants. 153 hunters harvested 28 roosters during the morning hunt.
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 seven years as Governor. Governor Dayton created the Governor’s Pheasant Opener in 2011, when Montevideo hosted the inaugural event.
Marshall previously hosted the second Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in 2012. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith were joined by Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr, Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism John Edman, elected officials, Pheasant Opener organizers, participants, and community members.
Next year’s Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener will take place in Luverne. Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will assist local partners in planning the event.
