Gov. Dayton Talks Hunting At Pheasant Summit

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - More than 250 hunters, farmers, conservationists and policymakers joined Gov. Mark Dayton for the first ever Pheasant Summit.

It took place Saturday in Marshall, which is in southwestern Minnesota.

The focus of the summit is to identify and promote ways to increase the state's pheasant population and their habitats.

Dayton said he wants to ensure that future generations of Minnesotans have opportunities to enjoy one of the state's most popular and iconic game birds.

Only 2 percent of the state's 18 million acres of original native prairie land remains today.

Game bird hunting, including pheasants, brings in $210 million to the state annually.