EDGEFIELD, SC — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz celebrated the spring turkey season by participating in the annual Minnesota Governor’s Hunt. Walz was joined by NWTF Director of Development Tom Glines, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Representative Rick Hansen, Senator Foung Hawj and members of the Learn-to-Hunt program.
“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,” Governor Walz said. “I am grateful for our state’s partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation to introduce more people to turkey hunting, restore wild turkeys, and ensure this tradition can continue for generations to come.”
The Minnesota Governor’s Turkey Hunt highlights the fun of spring turkey hunting and celebrates the conservation success of the decades-long partnership between the NWTF and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to restore wild turkeys and introduce people to hunting turkeys. In 1973, the year the NWTF was founded, 29 wild turkeys were relocated to Minnesota, in southeast Houston County, after the birds were extirpated from the state. Thanks to the efforts of the MNDNR, NWTF, and conservation partners, turkeys are now distributed nearly throughout the state, and more than 50,000 people hunt turkeys in Minnesota each spring.
“The NWTF has a rich history of fulfilling our mission in Minnesota,” said Tom Glines, NWTF Director of Midwest Development. “The Governor’s Game Turkey Hunt is a symbol of our incredible partnership with the state. It is through our collaborative efforts with MNDNR and our elected officials that we continue one of the best conservation stories.”
The Minnesota Governor’s Turkey Hunt coincides with NWTF’s annual statewide turkey hunt, which has introduced thousands of Minnesotans to turkey hunting.
Photos, sound bites and video from the morning. are available in the DNR media room, along with other photos, videos and sound bites from the turkey season earlier in the week.
Turkey hunting continues in Minnesota through Wednesday, May 31, and season details are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey).
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.
2023 is the 50th of the NWTF he anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50 he anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.