Meeker County board declines local shotgun-only ordinance, effectively allowing rifles for deer hunting
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Summary
After more than an hour of public comment divided on safety and management grounds, the Meeker County Board of Commissioners voted to take no action on a draft ordinance that would have limited deer hunting to slug-only shotguns, leaving rifle use permitted under the new state law.
Meeker County commissioners voted by voice to take no action on a proposed slug-only ordinance for deer hunting, effectively allowing rifles during the regular firearm deer season after hearing more than an hour of public testimony.
Andrew Lettson, the county administrator, opened the public hearing and summarized the legal context: the state repealed the old shotgun-zone law but created a statute permitting counties to adopt local limitations. Lettson said the county could adopt the draft ordinance and notify the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources by May 1 for inclusion in the 2026 guidebook, or it could choose to take no action and allow rifles.
Speakers who urged the board to keep shotgun-only rules emphasized safety and long-range risks. "I don't wanna have somebody down there with a rifle shooting through my house," said Bruce Mumford of Forest City, speaking near the start of the public comments. Several others, including longtime hunters and a gun-shop owner, described concerns about bullets traveling farther than slugs, the danger to residents and drivers, and the risk of inexperienced hunters handling rifles.
Other commenters urged the board to allow rifles, citing data and enforcement concerns. "The odds of you being in a firearms incident during deer season are 1 in 79,450," said Ryan Rothstein of Richmond, summarizing state and interstate statistics; he also noted ammunition shortages for shotgun slugs. The Eaton Valley Sportsman's Club, represented by Nate Sogi, submitted a written letter opposing a slug-only ordinance and said the club stands ready to support hunter education locally.
Some speakers questioned whether the county had authority to 'preserve the ability to responsibly manage deer populations,' noting that Minnesota statutes delegate wildlife management to the DNR (chapters 97A and 97B). John Miles, who reviewed the draft ordinance, cited the state statutes and quoted a Wisconsin big-game coordinator who said the safety concerns there dissipated after a similar change.
After closing public comment (the county received 18 written comments, Lettson said, 12 favoring rifle use and six favoring slug-only), a board member moved "to take no action on imposing firearm limitations, thereby allowing the use of rifles for deer hunting in Meeker County." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair announced, "Motion carries." The board did not adopt the draft slug-only ordinance and took no formal regulatory action that night.
Practical questions raised during the hearing included enforcement complexities if neighboring counties adopt different rules, the statutory process for notifying the DNR by May 1 if an ordinance is adopted, and whether the county should try a one-year local trial period. Several residents urged the board to defer to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' authority and data; others asked the county to prioritize local safety.
The board's action means Meeker County will not impose rifle restrictions locally at this time; any future change would require a formal ordinance and, if adopted, timely notice to the DNR. The meeting adjourned after the vote.