Dayton Shoots For Tradition With Pheasant Opener

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton is hoping to start a new tradition with an inaugural governor's pheasant opener to be held in October.

Dayton's office said Thursday that he will become the first Minnesota governor to participate in an official pheasant hunting opener on Oct. 14 and 15 in the southwestern city of Montevideo.

The first-term governor says he has been hunting pheasants for more than 50 years and hopes the opener will develop into a tradition similar to the governor's fishing and deer openers.

Dayton opened this year's fishing season in May near Grand Rapids and will open the deer hunting season in November in Biwabik.