New pheasant hunting opportunity available in metro region

[Scott M]

From the Minnesota DNR

Pheasant hunting will be allowed on a portion of the Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area in Dakota County from Dec. 10 through Jan. 1, 2008.

Hunting will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Designated pheasant hunting parking spaces will be available in parking lots. If a space is open, a person may park and go hunting. If all slots are occupied with vehicles, hunters must come back at another time.

Roughly the two southern sections (13 and 14) will be open for pheasant hunting. The area open to hunting is delineated with bright orange signage. Parking will be available on the east side in the parking lot off of Co. Rd. 81 (Clayton Ave.) and from the south at the end of Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.). There are five designated parking slots in the Clayton Ave. lot and three in the Blaine Ave. lot.

Vermillion Highlands Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area is a cooperative project of the DNR and the University of Minnesota, with input from Dakota County. The 2,840 acres of University land came under joint management as part of 2006 Legislation committing state funding for a new Gophers football stadium. A portion of the area opened for limited hunting for the first time this year.

For more information, contact a local DNR wildlife office during business hours at (651) 322-4643.

Map of Vermillion Highlands WMA Pheasant Hunt Area