[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz celebrated the spring turkey hunting season near Northfield early this morning. Governor Walz was joined by National Wild Turkey Federation Director of Development Tom Glines, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Rep. Rick Hansen, Sen. Foung Hawj, and members of the Learn-to-Hunt program. The Governor hunted on private land owned by Jerry Wicklund.

“It was a beautiful morning to spend some time in the woods and join friends and neighbors in celebrating one of the many outdoor sports and activities Minnesota has to offer,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for our state’s partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation for introducing more people to turkey hunting, restoring wild turkeys, and ensuring this tradition can carry on for generations to come.”

Photos, soundbites, and video from the morning will be available in the DNR Media Room after 3 p.m. along with other turkey season photos, video, and soundbites from earlier this week.

The Minnesota Governor’s Turkey Hunt highlights spring turkey hunting and celebrates the conservation success of the decades-long partnership between the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to restore wild turkeys and introduce people to turkey hunting. In 1973, 29 wild turkeys were relocated to Minnesota in southeastern Houston County. Thanks to the efforts of the DNR and conservation partners including the NWTF, turkeys now range across nearly the entire state. More than 50,000 people hunt turkeys in Minnesota each spring.

The Minnesota Governor’s Turkey Hunt coincides with NWTF’s annual statewide, mentored turkey hunt, which has introduced thousands of Minnesotans to turkey hunting.