SLEEPY EYE — The public is invited to attend a dedication of new public hunting land in Brown County at 4:30 p.m., Friday as part of the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.

The ceremony celebrates about 140 acres recently added to the Rosenau-Lambrecht Wildlife Management Area (WMA), 3 miles west of New Ulm on U.S. Highway 14.

Events include comments from local officials, conservationists, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty and others.

Parking and busing to the ceremony from the Sleepy Eye Event Center, 110 12th Ave. N.E., begins at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

The Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA is known for its diverse habitat that supports a variety of wildlife species, includes Showy Tick Trefoil, Wild Bergamot, Yellow Coneflower and may grass species.

Restoration begins this fall on a 100-acre addition to a prairie wetland complex. Both units offer opportunities to observe prairie songbirds and hunt multiple game species including deer, pheasants and other small game.

“This addition is another in a long line of collaborative acquisition projects that the Brown County Chapter of Pheasants Forever has led over the decades. This particular parcel will provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities for future generations and safeguard our wildlife heritage for all to enjoy,” said Jeff Zajac, DNR area wildlife manager in Redwood Falls.

“Brown County Pheasants Forever is excited for the additions to Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA. The new parcels will enhance wildlife habitat and provide more hunting opportunities on public lands,” said Brown County Pheasants Forever President Tim Kraskey.

He talked about pheasant opener hunting prospects.

“There are plenty of birds around. I’ve seen birds all summer in the 760-acre Bashaw WMA next to my farm. Mostly adult birds. Brown County has almost 5,000 acres of public land to hunt on,” Kraskey said.

He said Brown County has about 25,000 acres of set aside land.

“The county roadside count pheasant numbers are up 10% over last year. I drive around and work on WMAs. We partner with the DNR and the Adopt-A-WMA program,” said Kraskey.

“But it’s not just public land. It’s also farmers who cooperate with CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) and CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and RIM (Reinvest in Minnesota),’ he said.

Kraskey commented on the notion heard that some hunters won’t join the hunting opener for political reasons.

“I’m taking an a-political view on this. I’m not here to play politics. The (hunting opener) is not about right and left or blue or red. It’s about promoting our community as a good place to pheasant hunt,” he said.

Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christina Andres talked about what it was like to host the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.

“It was a pleasant surprise to be chosen. You fill out an application and hope you’re chosen. Lots of people were pleasantly surprised. We’re happy to invite people here, introduce them to the Sleepy Eye area,” Andres said.

She thanked the Sleepy Eye Sportsmens Club and Brown County Pheasants Forever chapter for helping with the event.

Andres said Minnesota Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan is expected to attend the opener. When and where he will appear were not available.

The 2024 Pheasant School, a DNR educational program is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday on a grassy area around the football field, behind Sleepy Eye Public School is open to the public. All 5th and 6th grade students including St. Mary’s and Grace Lutheran students are participating.

Speakers include DNR Conservation Officer Luke Gutzwiller and Canine Officer Earl. Learning stations continue to 2 p.m.

Food trucks, flocking and fund are set for 5-10 p.m. at Sleepy Eye Coffee Co./Sleepy Eye Brewing Co.. 121 Main St. W. Live music by the band AZBY is set for 6:30-10 p.m.

Sleepy Eye Brewing Co. is hosting a longest tail feather contest.

The Minnesota Pheasant Hunting begins at 9 a.m. and continues through Jan. 1.

The 2024 range-wide pheasant index of 52.1 birds/100 mi) compares to 51.2 birds/100 mi) in 2023, according to the DNR.

For a map of WMAs, Walk-In Access Sites, and Waterfowl Production Areas, visit https://arcgis.dnr.state.mn.us/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b81f2ddefd114cb2

The Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener was established by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2011. Other host cities included Owatonna, Montevideo, Marshall, Madelia, Worthington, Mankato, Luverne, and Austin.

For more information, visit http://www.sleepyeyechamber.com/gpho/2024/html