The 2023 pheasant hunting season has officially kicked off!

This weekend pheasant hunting season has officially kicked off for 2023.

In Owatana and Steele County, Governor Tim Walz started off the weekend with the eleventh annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting opener.

Included in the governor’s hunt was a public lands celebration, community gathering, hunter’s breakfast and a post-hunt lunch. “As a lifelong hunter and Pheasants Forever member, the pheasant opener is one of my favorite times of year,” said Governor Walz

The pheasant hunting season started today and will run through January 1st. If you are out hunting you have from 9 a.m. until sunset to hunt.

Here is some information from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for your next hunt:

• A person may not shoot pheasants with a rifle or handgun other than a .22 caliber rimfire using short, long or long rifle ammunition.
• Shotguns used when hunting pheasants may hold more than three shells.
• Residents and non-residents16 and older must have a valid small game license.
• Residents and non-residents ages 18-64 must have a pheasant stamp.
• Residents 65 and older don’t need a pheasant stamp but must have a small game license, which can be purchased at a reduced price.
• Non-residents 65 and older must have a pheasant stamp and a small game license

If you would like to purchase a pheasant hunting license, click here.