Artist Jim Meger

Meger dedication is today!

As part of the 2017 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener festivities, the new James Meger Memorial Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Taunton will be dedicated and opened to public hunting at 4 p.m., today  by Governor Mark Dayton.

James Meger, a world-renowned wildlife artist and native of Minneota, was born and raised in Lyon County, and went on to create hundreds of wildlife prints in his career.

They included six Pheasants Forever Prints of the Year, and both the Minnesota Duck Stamp and Pheasant Stamp.

Often used as prizes or auction items at Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited banquets for the past 20 years, it is estimated that Meger’s work has raised upwards of $5,000,000 for those organizations’ and others’ habitat and conservation efforts.

“James left an incredible legacy not only through his artwork but also with the impact it had in raising money for conservation,” said Ron Prorok, Lyon County Pheasants Forever Treasurer.

“This site will stand in honor of him, and share with the next generation his legacy and a great opportunity to hunt,” he concluded. The James Meger Memorial WMA consists of two tracts of land totaling 315 acres near Taunton.

Through fundraising efforts they’ve leveraged enough to secure the tracts and improve habitat.

This will make the land ideal places for game species like deer, turkey and pheasants, and watchable wildlife such as songbirds and pollinators.

Additionally, the conversion to prairie planting on the southern tract will also protect a stretch of Mud Creek from siltation and improve downstream water quality.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the dedication ceremony on the southern tract of the WMA located just west of the intersection of County Roads 11 and 27, three-and-a-half miles north of Taunton.

For more information, please contact Lyon County Pheasants Forever at lyoncountypf@gmail.com.

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