MINNESOTA, USA — Saturday marks the start of the Minnesota firearm deer season and Governor Tim Walz is heading south to kick off the tradition that started in 2003.
The annual Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener highlights tradition and tourism - and is being hosted at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro.
"When the email came through, not going to lie, I did a happy dance at my desk," said the center's executive director, Colleen Foehrenbacher.
She not only has worked there for 13 years but through its programs, learned to love hunting.
"I grew up in a non-hunting family and now it's become a massive part of my life," said Foehrenbacher. "Our mission is to empower people to care for the earth and each other and using hunting as a conservation tool."
Some 400,000 people hunt in Minnesota, but the Department of Natural Resources says that number is declining.
"Multiple things, from time, kids sports activities take up a lot of time, parents get busier," said DNR training coordinator Benji Kohn. "The family farm is gone in Minnesota too."
Both the DNR and Eagle Bluff are working to recruit new hunters, as well as relying on a new law that now lets anyone use a crossbow during archery season.
"It's easier to aim, easier to control," said Kohn. "The bar isn’t as high, I think, with crossbows."
Hunting is also about helping to control the deer population which is high across some parts of the state. Hunters also have to test deer for chronic wasting disease that was first discovered 20 years ago. It will not only kill the animal, but medical experts advise against eating meat that has tested positive for CWD.
The number one rule is to stay safe. It's mandatory to wear blaze orange this weekend if you're in the woods.
"Know what your target is and what's behind it so you're not shooting into something you shouldn't be," said Kohn.
Governor Walz will hunt first thing Saturday morning on a private farm, but he arrived at the center Friday for an event to sample venison that is prepared by the Hmong hunting community.
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