OutdoorMN News - Gov. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Smith in Montevideo this weekend for pheasant hunting opener

[Rick]

Pheasants will be the focus in Montevideo this weekend, as the community hosts the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.

Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will lead the festivities, which highlight the many hunting, recreational and community opportunities that the greater Montevideo area has to offer visitors.

“For 60 years, I have enjoyed pheasant hunting in Minnesota,” said Gov. Mark Dayton. “Over the past six years, we have held terrific Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener events across Minnesota. I thank our wonderful hosts in Montevideo and the surrounding area for all of their hard work and gracious hospitality. I invite all Minnesotans to join us for this unique Minnesota tradition.”

On Friday afternoon, a dedication of the Mills Creek Gun Range will take place at 3 p.m. The range was the vision of the Tri-County Sportsmen’s Club to involve more area people in shooting sports. It has been a community project, built with countless donations by local citizens and businesses. The range is home to the Montevideo High School trap and skeet teams and features two combined trap and skeet fields, pistol range and 200-yard rifle range and state-of-the-art equipment. It is located 1.5 miles north of Montevideo on state Highway 29.

Friday evening, the public is invited to join the governor at a community banquet at the Montevideo American Legion. The event will run from 5-8 p.m., with social hour, dinner and a program featuring Dayton and other notable speakers. Tickets are $15 each and available until sold out, at the Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce, city hall or by calling 320-269-5527.

On Saturday, hunters will take to the field to enjoy the outdoors and pursue ring-necked pheasants, one of the state’s most popular upland game birds.

The 2016 event in Montevideo will mark the sixth annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. The event was initiated by Gov. Dayton in 2011. Montevideo also hosted the inaugural event.

Montevideo has a population of 5,500 and is located 130 miles west of the Twin Cities at the intersections of U.S. highways 212 and 59, and Minnesota Highway 7. The city actively promotes hunting and outdoor recreation. Within 25 miles of Montevideo, there are 25 Walk-In Access areas totaling 3,335 acres, 16 waterfowl production areas totaling 4,366 acres and 76 wildlife management areas totaling 47,004 acres. All are open to public hunting.

Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are assisting the Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce in planning the event.

More information and updates on the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener can be found at www.mngpho2016.com.

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