2020 governor’s pheasant hunting opener canceled

Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday that the 2020 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener has been canceled.

The event was supposed to be in Fairmont and will instead be held there in 2021.

The event’s cancellation is a precaution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, Walz said he plans to enjoy pheasant hunting and encouraged Minnesotans to do the same when the season opens on Oct. 10 and runs until Jan. 3, 2021.

“Thank you to the Fairmont community, along with our partners Explore Minnesota and the Department of Natural Resources, for their work planning this annual rite of fall in Minnesota,” Walz said. “While our event together must be postponed, I still plan to enjoy the 2020 pheasant hunting season. I’ll be practicing safe social distancing, staying in small groups, and not traveling too far from home while doing so, and I encourage all hunters to do the same to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

“Pheasant hunting is a great way to spend time outdoors and make new memories with friends and family,” added DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “We encourage pheasant hunters to continue to make hunting memories this year. Even though it may look a little different this year, we can still enjoy Minnesota’s outdoors.”

You can find more information here.