Events announced for Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener this weekend

Ahead of the opening of pheasant hunting season in Minnesota this weekend, some special events in the southwestern part of the state have been announced to celebrate the opener.

This year, the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener event is taking place in Worthington, about 10 miles from the Iowa border.

As part of the 10th annual event, a special celebration of public lands is planned for 4:30 p.m. Friday. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the Nobles County chapter of Pheasants Forever recently bought 295 acres of land to add to the Ramson Ridge Wildlife Management Area southeast of Rushmore. Friday, Worthington FFA members will help seed native grasses and wildflowers in the new land.

That event is open to the public.

KSTP’s Hunting Guide

Then, from 5 to 8 p.m., the public is invited to join a food truck event at downtown Worthington’s outdoor pavilion.

Of course, hunters will then take to the field Saturday starting at 9 a.m. for the pheasant hunt.

The DNR says hunters spend millions of dollars each year in Minnesota, which has more than 500,000 hunters. This weekend’s events in Worthington help highlight not only hunting but also Worthington, which actively promotes hunting, travel and outdoor recreation.

The Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener was canceled the past two years due to COVID-19.

Worthington last hosted the event in 2014.