Minnesota Governor Tim Walz among those expected to take to the woods in this year's deer hunting opener on Saturday.
It's a time honored tradition that is an economic boom for the state.
"Outdoor activities in Minnesota are about a $14 billion, $13.7 billion investment," Gov. Walz said. "They have a trickle effect when you go into a community. It's not just buying the firearms or buying the license that supports the DNR and all these other activities. It's gassing up. It's getting the hotel rooms. It's buying the equipment."
It's also the rural communities that prosper due to all the visitors according to the DNR's Kelly Straka.
"The local impact economically of hunting can be outstanding when we have people coming out to hunt," Straka explains. "You know, please engage in these other activities in these rural communities and please do introduce yourself. Let's make some new connections and certainly contribute to the economic benefits there."
Walz among those buying his deer hunting license at the DNR Central Office this past week.
"We were just saying, the commissioner said it. When the weather changes, you know, it's deer season," Walz said while purchasing the license.
To date, just over 200,000 licenses have been sold, which is down a little from last year. The DNR says weather and financial being two main factors in the downturn of hunters.
However, Walz said that despite the economic issues across the country, deer hunting in Minnesota is a time honored tradition.
"Whether it's it's pheasant hunting, fishing, you know, deer hunting, or any of the other activities we enjoy, I think even at a time of financial stress, these are the things that people hold on to," Walz explained. "Because they're the things that do the most for your mental health. They're the things that do the most for finding joy in life."
The statewide firearms season runs November 8-23 with a small portion of southeastern Minnesota lasting until November 30. Learn more about it here.