The city of Austin will be the host community for the 2019 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. DNR commissioner Tom Landwehr made the announcement Friday night on behalf of Gov. Mark Dayton, who was unable to attend due to surgery.

“I thank the people of Austin for graciously offering to host the 2019 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener,” said Governor Dayton in an earlier statement. “The Pheasant Opener has become a special Minnesota tradition, made possible by our tremendous host communities. Minnesotans can look forward to another fantastic opener in Austin next year.”

The announcement was made during the Governor’s Banquet at the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener festivities in Luverne this evening.

Austin was selected through an application process that considered available hunting land, event facilities, travel recreation opportunities and community support.

“We are thrilled to be selected as the host community for the 2019 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener,” said Sandy Forstner, Austin event chairperson. “We’ve assembled a great team of organizations that are working collaboratively to prepare for this event that will showcase the great habitat, good pheasant hunting and many other attractions Austin can offer. We’re thankful to have been chosen.”

The 2019 event, scheduled for Oct. 11-12, 2019, will be the ninth annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener, which was initiated by Governor Mark Dayton in 2011. Previous host communities have been Montevideo (2011 and 2016), Marshall (2012 and 2017), Madelia (2013), Worthington (2014), Mankato (2015) and Luverne (2018). The event features the many hunting, recreational and travel opportunities that host communities have to offer visitors.

Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will assist local partners in planning the event.

Austin has a population of 24,933 and is the Mower County seat. Austin is located at the junction of Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 218.