 Well, we are just over 24 hours away from the start of the deer hunting opener, but the festivities have already begun. Josh Peterson shows us how grand rapids is rolling out the blaze orange carpet for Governor Mark Taton. You don't need a calendar to know what season it is. Just about everywhere you look, you see blaze orange, meaning the hunting season is upon us. For the city of Grand Rapids, this year's deer season is extra special because they were chosen as the host city for the governor's deer hunting opener. We have our passion for deer hunting and it's really the tradition of deer deer hunting and deer camps and families and friends getting together. And this this starts it. This is like a big send off for all of us to go have a special time with the people we care about with conditions just right and fresh snow on the ground. This year's deer season is expected to be one of the best in recent years. We've had three mild winters and so the population is up. We are either at lottery or hunter's choice in all of our permanent areas around the Grand Rapids area. So people should be able to shoot a buck or a doe. One way the city of Grand Rapids is hoping to keep the deer opener fresh is by moving its expo outside and giving it a carnival like atmosphere right under the big top. Timberlake Lodge is at the center of all the action and through loyal and dedicated volunteers, they hope to showcase life in northern Minnesota. Without great volunteers and people of the community, what do you got? You have to have them and that's what makes it different every time. For Minnesota's tourism industry, events like the governor's deer hunting opener are just one way to grow tourism and showcase greater Minnesota. This gives us a great chance to talk about all the recreational opportunities that are have that there are all throughout Minnesota, not just in the Minneapolis, St. Paul metropolitan area. With the blaze orange carpet rolled out for Governor Mark Dayton, the celebration of a Minnesota tradition has only just begun in Grand Rapids. Josh Peterson, Lakeland news. Grand Rapids has been preparing for the governor's deer hunting opener since last year's deer season. Plans are already underway for the 2018 governor's deer hunting opener, which will be held in Hinkley. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland public television.