The public is invited to attend the dedication of a growing wildlife management area (WMA) complex near Mankato on Saturday, Oct. 10, as part of the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.
The half-hour dedication ceremony will begin at noon and include comments from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr and others.
Work to improve the O.A. Vee Memorial WMA has continued since the initial tract was acquired in 1981. The Blue Earth County chapter of Minnesota Pheasants, Inc. acquired a 45-acre addition to the site in 2009. In 2011 and 2014, restoration work was done, which improved habitat for pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other wildlife. A special announcement at the dedication will further improve the 208-acre WMA.
Funding for portions of this work was provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
To attend the dedication or visit the O.A. Vee Memorial WMA, go west of Mankato on Highway 60. At the junction of Highway 169, go south 1 mile. Turn west on 204th Street and go half a mile.
The land dedication is part of the 2015 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. Gov. Mark Dayton leads the weekend festivities, which highlight the many hunting, recreational, travel and local opportunities the Mankato area has to offer visitors. For more information on the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener, call 507-385-6660 or visit www.mngpho2015.com.
Wildlife management areas are part of Minnesota’s outdoor recreation system established to protect those lands and waters that have a high potential for wildlife production, public hunting, trapping, fishing, and other compatible recreational uses. For more information, visit www.mndnr.gov/wmas/index.html.
DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 8, 2015
Media contacts: John Williams, DNR northwest region wildlife manager, 218-308-2680,
[email protected]; Ruth Anne Franke, Karlstad area wildlife supervisor, 218-436-2427,
ext. 222, [email protected].
