Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will celebrate the state's deer hunting tradition by hosting the 10th Annual Governor's Deer Opener in Winona.

On Friday, November 2nd, Gov. Dayton will host community and youth activities to bring attention to a pursuit that has nearly 500,000 Minnesota participants and contributes nearly one-half billion dollars to the state's economy. Minnesota's general firearm deer season opens Saturday, November 3rd.

This year's event will take place at the Winona Sportsmen's Club, where a Field Day & Big Buck Lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $10 and are available by contacting MDHA at 800-450-DEER extension 12 or locally tickets can be purchased at the Winona Visitors Center.

Other events at the club include a trap shooting exhibition by the Gould Brothers, a pair of professional trick shooters and entertainers, a National Archery in the Schools shoot-off competition among local students, and shooting range opportunities.

About 125 Winona fifth graders will participate in a youth field day that includes an obstacle course, shooting sports and making plaster casts of wild animal tracks. Attendees will also be able to view the DNR's "Wall of Shame" poaching exhibit and antlers from the world record-size eight-point buck taken illegally in Goodhue County.