Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that the 6th Annual Governor's Deer Hunting Opener will be held in East Central Minnesota with events in Cambridge, Isanti, and North Branch on Saturday, November 8.

“I look forward to enjoying East Central Minnesota’s great outdoors during this year’s Deer Hunting Opener,” Governor Pawlenty said. “The opening of deer hunting season brings together families and friends to share in a very special and long-held tradition.”

This year’s event will build on the success of the past five Governor’s Deer Hunting Openers, which have raised thousands of dollars for habitat and conservation projects in Minnesota. The event will also highlight opportunities to enjoy the natural resources of Minnesota and the Cambridge/Isanti/North Branch area.

Deer hunting is one of the most popular activities in the state. Minnesota's 475,000 deer hunters spend $260 million in retail sales every year and create nearly 5,300 jobs in Greater Minnesota, according to the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Media guests at this event will have a range of opportunities to experience and report on various aspects of deer hunting, and Governor Pawlenty will brief the media on his own hunt on Saturday morning.

Governor Pawlenty began this new tradition in 2003 as an opportunity to showcase Minnesota’s great deer hunting heritage and the economic benefits. The first five Governor’s Deer Hunting Openers were held in the Brainerd Lakes area, the Grand Rapids area, the Perham area, the Rochester area, and the Hibbing area.

At the Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener this year, radio stations are invited to broadcast live from the event headquarters throughout the morning on Friday, November 7. Radio stations and other media wishing to broadcast from the Opener should email Alex Carey in the Governor’s office at alex.carey@state.mn.us

For more information, please contact Jo Wenger with Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) at 218-327-1103, ext 16.