ST. PAUL - He was antlered and dangerous and he almost took out Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

As Pawlenty arrived for work at the Capitol this morning, he and his entourage heard shattering glass and then saw a big buck charge past about five feet from them. The deer broke two windows at the Capitol before bounding off.

The state's deer hunting season officially opens Saturday, and Pawlenty is headed to the northwestern Minnesota city of Perham for his annual kickoff event.

Pawlenty said the parking lot incident was a good omen.

"We could have had the governor's deer opener right here at the Capitol," Pawlenty said. "If that's any indication, the deer hunting is going to go well this year."

From now on the Governor will be carrying his rifle with him as he arrives at/departs the Capitol.

What unit is St. Paul in, anyway?