7th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener

I was lucky enough to attend the 7th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener (GPHO) in Marshall, Minnesota. Ahem, not to be confused with Marshall County. Over the next two weeks I will be telling you all about my trip and what makes Marshall such an incredible place to visit. I’ll be highlighting a few of my favorite stops including Camden State Park, Shooter’s Sporting Clays, local food, a historical Society and Museum, local organizations, a sprinkle of politics and even a coffee shop along the way!

Let’s talk a little about Marshall. It’s a regional center in southwest Minnesota about 93 miles north east of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and about 148 miles south west of Minneapolis. Made mostly of rural and agricultural areas, it is the beginning of the Redwood River floodplain. It is home to the Schwan Food Company, Runnings Farm and Fleet, Southwest Minnesota State University and is also the site of Exelon Wind’s Marshall Wind Project. It was chosen as this years Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener (MNGPHO), an event that was established in 2011 by Gov. Mark Dayton. The MNGPHO focuses on Minnesota’s hunting heritage, cultural traditions and the economic impact of the sport. The weekend included water quality testing on the Redwood River, touring of Action Manufacturing and even the dedication of the James Meger Memorial WMA, Minnesota’s newest Wildlife Management Area.