Celebration to be part of 13th annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener
The public is invited to attend the dedication of new public hunting land in Big Stone County at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, as part of the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.
The ceremony celebrates the addition of approximately 158 acres to Big Stone Wildlife Management Area over the past year. The WMA is located north of Ortonville.
The dedication ceremony will include comments from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty, local officials, conservationists and others.
“We’re so pleased to dedicate this public land as part of Big Stone WMA,” said Sarah Strommen, DNR commissioner. “This partnership between the DNR, Pheasants Forever and the landowner reflects how we get conservation done in Minnesota. We work together to preserve public land for future generations."
Located near Big Stone Lake, Big Stone WMA is home to 390 acres of hardwood forest, prairie, wetlands, and food plots. It’s a very popular destination for turkey, deer, dove and small game hunters.
The latest acquisition was led by Pheasants Forever starting in 2022. The previous landowner, Patrick Greuel, passed away in 2021 and willed the land to Pheasants Forever. In turn, Pheasants Forever removed the old building site and sold the property to the DNR to be part of Big Stone WMA. Pheasants Forever will use funds from the sale to further their conservation efforts on other properties.
Since acquiring the property, the DNR has begun installing parking areas and coordinating upcoming wetland reconstructions, prairie restorations and hardwood plantings. Within five years, this property is expected to become an oasis for many game animals, along with a plethora of songbirds and pollinators.
“We are fortunate to have landowners in Big Stone County who share the same vision as Pheasants Forever,” said Kevin Seehafer, president of Big Stone County Chapter Pheasants Forever. “This additional parcel added to the existing Big Stone WMA will ensure there is land available for future generations to enjoy.”
The new addition is just over a mile from the main unit of the WMA, and also near other public lands that can be accessed by hunters and other users.
“The developments on this new property are going to further enhance habitat for pheasants, deer, turkeys, waterfowl, forest and grassland songbirds, and pollinators,” said Curt Vacek, DNR area wildlife supervisor. “The land will provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities and ecological benefits for future generations.”
Onsite parking will not be available at the WMA. Buses will be available to transport participants to the WMA starting at 3:30 p.m., leaving from the Ortonville Armory, 309 Madison Ave., Ortonville.
Ortonville is located along the western border of the state almost midway between the north and south Minnesota borders and about 190 miles west of the Twin Cities. The community is known for scenic landscapes and boasts exceptional fishing and hunting. Ortonville has a population of about 2,000 and is the Big Stone County seat.
Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota DNR are partnering with the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to plan this year’s Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.