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Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & TourismOwatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & TourismOwatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & TourismOwatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
  • ABOUT
    • HISTORY OF OWATONNA
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  • THINGS TO DO
  • OUTDOORS
  • DINING
  • EVENTS
  • PLAN YOUR VISIT
  • PLACES TO STAY

MNGPHO2023

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    WELCOME TO OWATONNA Let Owatonna’s charm draw you in as you stroll our historic downtown, play a game of pickleball, and snack on artisan chocolates. be amazed RICH IN HISTORY Stroll through the historic downtown’s specialty shops, salons, jewelry, and shoe and clothing boutiques. Explore the unique architecture. historic downtown OWATONNA OUTDOORS Take a bike ride on Owatonna’s 17 miles of trails, or spend your weekend getting lost in more than 811 acres of parkland throughout 33 parks. be active TOP ANNUAL EVENTS The Steele County Free Fair is the largest county fair in Minnesota, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the fairgrounds each August. steele county free fair LOCAL FLAVORS Try El Salvadorian pupusas, homemade sanwiches, tasty hand tossed pizza, amazing Mexican dishes and even sushi options! Owatonna has food for whatever you're in the mood for. experience local & international dishes

    Home of THE 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener

    OCtober 13 & 14, 2023

    The Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener was initiated by Governor Mark Dayton in 2011.

    The State Office of Tourism, Explore Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources assist local partners in planning the event.

    The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism submitted an application to host the 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener (GPHO) and was selected through an application process that considered available hunting land, event facilities, travel recreation opportunities and community support.

    The 2023 GPHO is scheduled for Oct. 13-14 in Owatonna.

    Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener is part of a weekend of festivities in Owatonna that will showcase the many hunting, recreational, and travel opportunities the area has to offer visitors.

    This event would not be possible without the generous help of our sponsors! Thank you for your contribution to making this a wonderful celebration of our community and outdoor recreation opportunties.

    Our sponsors

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    Baker Tech services
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    SCFF
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    Owatonna Eagles
    Scheels-Logo
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    ma apparel
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    Advantage Cabinets

    American Legion- Post 77

    Bosch

    Cashwise Foods

    Cedar Floral

    Community Bank Owatonna

    Culligan Ultrapure

    Fleet Farm

    Gillette Pepsi Companies

    Hy-Vee

    IFACS

    Klecker Kreations

    Minnesota Pheasants, Inc

    M&M Lawn and Leisure

    NorthStar Recreation

    OTB Cafe-Old Town Bagels

    Owatonna Motor Company

    Riverland Community College

    Souba Greenhouse

    Southern Minnesota Hunting Retrievers Association

    Sparetime Entertainment

    Thrivent- Nick Lewis

    VFW- Post 3723

    Wenger Corporation

    West Bank

    Wottreng Family Dental

    2023 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener Gallery

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    Event Goals

    • Promote the intersection of tourism, outdoor recreation, and hunting/hunting-related activities to the general public.
    • Introduce and promote pheasant hunting to a broad and diverse cross-section of Minnesotans.
    • Highlight the many benefits of public and private grasslands in Minnesota and tie to Governor’s conservation and climate agendas.
    • Build and maintain short-term and long-term relationships with communities, stakeholders, and elected leaders.

    Schedule of Events

    Due to the weather forecast, Friday’s Land Celebration, and Friday Night Festivities have been moved to the Beer Gardens at the Steele County Fairgrounds. See Event info and flyer below.
    ***Come join the fun!**

    Check out these events open to the public as a part of this celebration of our outdoor recreation and hunting activities, and area attractions.

    Become a Hunter Host

    GPHO Hunter Host Web (1024 × 648 px)

    Complete Application Here

    • Embrace the role of an ambassador of our great Minnesota pheasant hunting tradition, and share your pheasant hunting skills with invited guests coming to the Owatonna area this fall.
    • Guests have a range of hunting skills; some are proficient hunters while others are novices. As a Hunter Host, you will help your guests have the best hunting experience possible.
    • Each Hunter Host, will lead two to four GPHO guests on a hunt. Hunter Hosts are asked not to carry a gun during the hunt. The guests in each party and the hunting locations will be determined by the GPHO Hunt Committee.

    Owatonna Area Public Hunting Lands

    Click on Image Below for a map of Owatonna Area Public Hunting Lands

    ABOUT

    Let Owatonna’s charm draw you in as you stroll our historic downtown, catch a concert in Central Park, play a game of pickleball, and snack on artisan chocolates. Step back in time at our museums and historic buildings and enjoy the outdoors by hiking, biking or skiing our trails.
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    CONTACT US

    Address
    Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

    120 South Oak Ave.
    Owatonna, MN 55060

    Email
    oacct@owatonna.org

    Phone
    800-423-6466
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    • ABOUT
      • HISTORY OF OWATONNA
      • VISITOR INFORMATION
      • PHOTO GALLERY
    • THINGS TO DO
    • OUTDOORS
    • DINING
    • EVENTS
    • PLAN YOUR VISIT
    • PLACES TO STAY
    • MEETINGS
    • REUNIONS
    • TOURNAMENTS
    Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism