Initiated by Governor Mark Dayton in 2011, the Minnesota Governor's
Pheasant Hunting Opener highlights the local hunting, recreational, and tourism
opportunities host communities have to offer visitors.
Explore
Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources are assisting the Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce & CVB along with local partners in planning the event.
REGISTRATION
Registration to attend the 2024 Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener must be done online and paid via credit card. There will be no onsite registration.
- MEDIA INVITED GUESTS - The Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener events are
complimentary to news media. Please indicate what events and meals you will be attending through the weekend along with your lodging needs via the Registration link. You will be notified by email with lodging accommodations that have been made on your behalf. In the event your news media organization does not
accept complimentary accommodations, the registration fee for the weekend is
$150/per person, this includes all GPHO weekend events, meals and lodging.
- NON-MEDIA INVITED GUESTS - The registration fee for invited non-news media guests is $75/per person and does NOT include lodging. Non-news media guests should make their own lodging reservations if staying overnight. Lodging options with room blocks are available here, please contact the lodging property of your choice and secure your own lodging reservation directly with the hotel/motel property.
Please pick up your registration
packet and event lanyard before attending any of the weekend events. Please
wear your event lanyard to all GPHO events as your proof of payment/admission
to events.
QUESTIONS?
For News Media-related inquiries, please contact Kiersten Hansen, Minnesota DNR, at (507) 233-1236 or kiersten.hansen@state.mn.us.
For Hunting Inquiries: Scott Roemhildt, Minnesota DNR, (507) 995-9832 or scott.roemhildt@state.mn.us.
For Event
questions, please contact Lisa Havelka, Explore Minnesota, at (507) 389-2683 or lisa.havelka@state.mn.us.
Firearms, ammunition, and equipment will NOT be provided for any hunter. The DNR encourages hunters to consider using nontoxic shot for pheasant hunting during this event. For more information on nontoxic shot requirements, click here.
Hunting parties will depart at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
Attendees who choose to hunt will be given maps to public hunting land in the Brown County Area, or click here to view.
Residents and non-residents 16 years of age and older must have a valid small game license.
Residents and non-residents ages 18-64 must also have a pheasant stamp in addition to a small game license.
Residents 65 and older don't need a pheasant stamp but must have a small game license.
For more information and to purchase a license, visit: www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense.
For Hunting Inquiries: Scott Roemhildt, Minnesota DNR, (507) 995-9832 or scott.roemhildt@state.mn.us.