Most powerful buck in Minnesota

Dane Smith, Star Tribune

Call it payback, or the launch of the Deer's Governor-Hunting Opener.

A big buck smashed in a window at the back of the State Capitol near the governor's office Thursday morning, then charged past a very startled Gov. Tim Pawlenty just as he was entering the building. The episode coincided with the run-up to the Governor's Deer Opener, an event that Pawlenty launched three years ago and which he has turned into a rather big deal.

"Another five feet...if it wasn't out of season, we could have had the opener right here," Pawlenty laughed as he told the story at a press conference announcing judicial appointments. "If that's any indication, the deer hunting is going to go well this year."

Pawlenty will be hunting and presiding at events at the opener this weekend, which is being held in and around Perham, in northwestern Minnesota.