Winona County debates rifle permits amid rising public support for hunting

The debate over rifle permits in Winona County is heating up, with local officials reporting a surge in public interest and feedback. During the recent Whitewater Joint Powers Board meeting, discussions centered on the community's strong support for allowing rifle hunting, a topic that has sparked numerous phone calls to county leaders.

One board member expressed surprise at the level of pro-rifle sentiment among residents, noting that the county is known for its hunting traditions. "I thought it would be the other way around," they remarked, highlighting the unexpected support for rifles in a region traditionally associated with shotgun hunting.

The conversation also touched on the legal harvesting of deer in Winona County, which has been occurring for over a decade. A member shared their experience with deer depredation tags, which allow for the use of rifles to manage deer populations effectively. "We harvested 10 deer... all with rifles," they stated, emphasizing the practicality and safety of using rifles compared to shotguns.

The discussion further compared hunting regulations in Minnesota and neighboring Wisconsin, where rifles are widely used without a significant increase in hunting accidents. "Wisconsin has the same hunter accident rates as we do here in Minnesota with shotguns," one member pointed out, suggesting that rifles could be a safer and more effective option for hunters.

As the board continues to evaluate the community's stance on rifle permits, the implications for hunting practices and safety in Winona County remain a focal point of interest. The outcome of this discussion could reshape local hunting regulations and reflect changing attitudes towards rifle use in the region.