(image: Minnesota DNR)
Minnesota’s pheasant season opens on Saturday.
Governor Tim Walz says he’s anxious to be participating in the Governor’s Pheasant Opener in Ortonville…
“Yeah it is an exciting time this weekend the pheasant opener in Minnesota, and I think for so many of us, there’s a lot of nostalgia that goes with this, a lot of excitement. So many of us grew up around it, and when you finally get a chance you’re old enough to go out with your parents, your uncles, you know, your cousins, and get out in the field, spend time with the dogs. Then it’s also all the hard work in Minnesota over the years to bring back the pheasant population.”
The governor says that hunting is a big business in Minnesota, contributing some 14 billion dollars in a typical year…
“…that means buying the equipment that you have, whether it’s ammunition, guns, clothing, but it’s also when hunters get out there, they get hotel rooms, they buy food, they gas up, they’re in the local economy. It’s an impact, and it’s all over the state, especially in greater Minnesota, so to get folks out there makes a huge difference.”
DNR officials say hunters have a better likelihood of bagging birds this year. The 2025 August Roadside Survey shows pheasant counts were up in every region, particularly in Southwestern, South Central, West Central and Central parts of the state.
Hunters can take only roosters, with a two pheasant daily through November 30th and a six-rooster possession limit. Starting on December 1st, the daily bag limit is three birds per day and a possession limit of nine.
Hunters must have a small game license, and those ages 18-64 must have a pheasant stamp. Hunters should remember that they need at least one visible article of clothing above the waist that is blaze orange, or pink. Typical items would be a hat, jacket or hunting vest.
(content: courtesy in part, Minnesota DNR)
