No deer for Gov. Tim Walz during firearms deer hunting opener in Minnesota

GOODHUE CO., Minn. (KVRR) — Traditions continue during this opening weekend of the firearms deer hunting season in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Nearly 400 thousand hunters take part in the season each year across Minnesota.

Gov. Tim Walz celebrated the opening weekend on private land near Cannon Falls, Minnesota.

He spent the morning enjoying the woods but did not harvest a deer.

Walz then visited a chronic wasting disease or CWD check station with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen.

They talked with hunters as they brought in their deer to be sampled.

“Really appreciate the DNR staff the biologists who are out here and most importantly the hunters who are taking the time to come here and have their deers checked, we really appreciate that,” said Walz.

“One of the things that is constant is we continue to provide mail-in test kits for all hunters no matter where you are hunting. So you can check out that option on the website as well,” said Strommen.

Hunting contributes over $1.2 billion annually to Minnesota’s economy.

It is also one of the most effective tools the DNR uses to manage deer populations.