Dayton To Convene Minnesota Pheasant Summit

ST. PAUL (AP) - Lifelong pheasant hunter Gov. Mark Dayton plans to convene Minnesota's first-ever Pheasant Summit later this year to discuss ways to grow the state's pheasant population.

The governor's office says Dayton made the announcement at a Pheasants Forever banquet Thursday night.

The date hasn't been set, but his plan is to convene hunters, farmers, policymakers, conservationists, other stakeholders, and key members of his administration. The event will focus on strategies to increase the state's pheasant population and improve habitat to ensure opportunities for future generations of Minnesota hunters.

The Department of Natural Resources says Minnesota's pheasant population is 58 percent below the 10-year average and 71 percent below the long-term average.

The DNR expects Minnesota hunters will bag an estimated 200,000 pheasants this fall.  The season opens Oct. 10.