[ORTONVILLE, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today celebrated the 13th annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Ortonville and Big Stone County. Governor Walz’s hunting party harvested two roosters this morning. The opener events demonstrated Ortonville’s scenic and vibrant community, conservation work, public lands, and community spirit for hundreds of invited guests. Photos from the event are available on Flickr.

“Thank you to the people of Ortonville and Big Stone County for this memorable celebration of community and our pheasant hunting traditions,” said Governor Walz. “As a lifelong pheasant hunter, I applaud the vital conservation work being done by organizations in Big Stone County and across our state’s pheasant range. It is the incredible conservation work and the outpouring of support from community volunteers that makes this sport and this event possible.”

The weekend festivities included tours of the L.G. Everist granite quarry, a pontoon ride on Big Stone Lake, a tour of the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, hands-on activities at a local elementary school, a tour of Big Stone Lake State Park, a celebration of a new addition to the Big Stone Wildlife Management Area, and a public event with food trucks and live music at the Ortonville Armory.

“We had a fantastic time celebrating the pheasant opener, meeting members of the Ortonville community, and enjoying a fall day on public land with all the comradery, challenge and fun that are synonymous with pheasant hunting,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “Thank you to the Ortonville community and everyone who made this great event possible.”

Ortonville is located along the western border of the state midway between the northern and southern Minnesota borders and about 190 miles west of the Twin Cities. The community is known for scenic landscapes and boasts exceptional fishing and hunting. Ortonville has a population of about 2,000 and is the Big Stone County seat.

“Events like the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener are about more than hunting — they shine a spotlight on Minnesota communities like Ortonville,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, executive director of Explore Minnesota. “When hunters and their families travel here, they’re not just heading into the fields — they’re staying in local hotels, dining in restaurants, shopping on Main Street, and discovering what makes this region such a special destination. Tourism and outdoor recreation are vital to Minnesota’s economy, and Ortonville has shown visitors the very best of what Greater Minnesota has to offer.”

According to the DNR’s August roadside survey, Minnesota’s pheasant population has jumped an estimated 50% from last year, coming in 21% above the 10-year average.