LANESBORO, Minn. — Editor's note: The video above aired on Aug. 1, 2023.
Lanesboro has an established reputation as one of Minnesota's biking hotbeds, but the first weekend in November it will be the epicenter of deer hunting as the community hosts the 2023 Governor's Deer Hunting Opener.
Gov. Tim Walz announced Thursday that the annual celebration of the deer harvest will take place Nov. 3-4 at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center outside of Lanesboro. The event is organized by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Explore Minnesota, in partnership with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Bluffland Whitetails Association, and the Minnesota Conservation Federation.
“Nearly half a million Minnesotans deer hunt each year, and this year’s event will celebrate that rich tradition, whether a hunter’s tradition is new or generations old,” said Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “From the southern farmlands to the Northwoods, and all corners of our state, I am excited to welcome hunters to deer season.”
Activities taking place during the 2023 Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener include:
- Listening session (Nov. 3): DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen will host a gathering of hunters to share their perspectives on a variety of deer and deer hunting topics.
- Deer processing demo and venison sampling (Nov. 3): Attendees will be able to observe a deer processing demo, followed by a venison sampler of southeast Asian-inspired recipes prepared by members of the Hmong hunting community.
- Opening day of Minnesota’s firearms deer season (Nov. 4):
- Post-hunt: Hunters, including the governor and mentor and mentee pairs, will gather to share stories from the hunt.
- Social media highlights of opening day: All hunters are invited to join Gov. Walz and others in sharing a favorite memory from opening day of the firearms season on social media using the hashtags #DeerCampMN and #OnlyInMN.
The Governor's Deer Opener will provide a spotlight for the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, a year-round facility that provides children, adults, and families with outdoor learning and experiences unique to Minnesota.
“We are thrilled to host the Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener," said Colleen Foehrenbacher, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center executive director. “We appreciate the opportunity to shine a spotlight on hunting and its ties to conservation, education and outdoor experiences.”
The Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener is now in its third decade celebrating the state’s white-tailed deer hunting heritage. It fosters conversations on deer management, promotes outdoor skills and underscores the economic benefits of hunting and tourism to communities around the state.
For more on the 2023 deer season and planning your hunt, visit the DNR website.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch KARE in the Air:
Check out amazing drone video of Minnesota's most beautiful and iconic spots in our YouTube playlist: