Steven Hogg and Governor Tim Walz
[ST. PAUL, MN] –- November 5th, 2022 — Governor Tim Walz celebrated the 20th annual Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener and opened the 2022 firearm deer season at the Three Rivers Park District. Governor Walz hunted alongside Three Rivers Park District wildlife supervisor Steven Hogg.
“This event has a well-earned place among our state’s traditions because of its focus on community, conservation, and the multi-million dollar impact it has on jobs and our economy,” said Governor Walz. “Deer hunting is a time-honored tradition that gets passed from one generation to the next, and I know thousands of Minnesotans across the state are gathering with family, friends, and neighbors this morning to take part. It was a chilly but beautiful fall morning to get out deer hunting, and I wish everyone a safe and successful hunting season.”
“Minnesota has such diverse hunting opportunities on public and private lands across our state and we all benefit from the economic impact that hunters have on the outdoor recreation economy,” said Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “Deer hunting is one of my favorite ways to spend time with my teenage son. I’m thankful that others are passing the love of hunting on to young people because it will help ensure a love of nature and stewardship of the outdoors continues.”
With 400,000 Minnesotans taking part in the deer hunting season each year, deer hunting has a significant impact on Minnesota’s economy and outdoor recreation and tourism industries. Hunters spend more than $1,000 on average each year on guns, ammunition, clothing, lodging and food. Deer hunting in Minnesota supports nearly 280,000 jobs and has a total economic impact in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener celebration began 20 years ago and is unique in the nation as an endeavor to highlight the state’s white-tailed deer hunting tradition. The event provided an opportunity to discuss deer management, promote outdoor skills, recreation, and safety, and bring attention to tourism and other economic benefits of deer hunting. This year was the first time the event was held in the Twin Cities metro area, highlighting the hunting opportunities that are available to Minnesotans no matter where they live.
More information on deer hunting in Minnesota is available at mndnr.gov/deerhunt.
