Winona County commissioners continue review of shotgun-zone repeal after public comment and law-enforcement input

Winona County commissioners spent the committee portion of their Aug. 12 meeting discussing whether to retain the county’s existing shotgun-only hunting restriction after a recent change in state law that could allow center-fire rifles in areas currently limited to shotguns. The discussion included public comments from local outdoorsmen and a Minnesota peace officer, and an operational perspective from Sheriff Ron Gander.

The topic drew public comment from local residents and sportsmen. “To start, safety. There's a lot of emotional dogma that shotguns are safer than rifles. Let me assure you, this claim is false,” said Mister O'Hanlon, who described himself as an outdoorsman and veteran. Caleb Peterson, a licensed Minnesota peace officer who spoke as a private citizen, told commissioners that Minnesota Statute 609.066 already criminalizes unsafe discharge and that adding a county-specific restriction could create confusion for hunters whose deer permit areas cross county lines: “In my mind, there is no need for any further restriction or overcomplication of this very clear statute.”

Sheriff Ron Gander told the board that discussion with patrol and tactical personnel led him to move from initial skepticism to support for allowing rifles, emphasizing training and individual responsibility: “I would say when I first heard about this proposed change ... I start right from the premise of what other law am I as a county commissioner, I don't write laws. We follow the laws, and and we interpret the laws that they they pass.” He described hunting accidents he has responded to over 39 years and said accidental shootings in the woods have been rare in Winona County.

Commissioners described receiving extensive correspondence on both sides, said they want more data from neighboring counties and regional associations, and agreed there is time to study the issue before any change would take effect (the transcript records that any statewide change would not be implemented until 2026). Several commissioners said they support holding a public hearing and getting more information from other counties at the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) regional meeting later in the fall before deciding whether to adopt a county ordinance overriding the state change. The board did not take a binding vote on a county ordinance at the Aug. 12 session.

Why it matters: The question affects enforcement, hunter education and public safety and could require Winona County law-enforcement resources to enforce a local ordinance if commissioners opt out of the state change. Commissioners noted there is no additional revenue stream for county enforcement if a local restriction is imposed.

Board next steps and context: Commissioners asked staff to collect additional information (including neighboring-county decisions and regional AMC discussion outcomes), consider a public hearing in the fall after the regional meeting, and to continue communication with the sheriff and emergency management. The board did not adopt an ordinance and left the default state change in place until it decides otherwise.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized they were not making a final decision during the committee session and urged public input; several said they are open to further study and to scheduling a public hearing prior to taking final action.