Isanti County commissioners agree by consensus to take no local action on expiring shotgun-only hunting zones

Isanti County commissioners indicated they will not take county action to preserve local shotgun-only hunting zones after a recently passed state law that set the shotgun-only rules is scheduled to expire at the end of the year. County staff told the board the state-level legal framework that created shotgun-only zones will no longer apply at the start of the new year unless a county ordinance is adopted locally.

The decision followed a presentation from staff and a round of comments from commissioners and a public commenter. Amanda, a county staff member, told the board that if the county does nothing it will default to the new state standard allowing rifle and other firearms during hunting seasons: "Either do nothing, let the law expire … or adopt a local ordinance establishing a shotgun-only zone," she said. The board’s discussion focused on safety history and access for disabled hunters.

Why it matters: shotgun-only zones have been a feature of parts of Isanti County for decades. Several commissioners noted the zones were originally adopted to manage harvest levels rather than as a safety regulation, and some residents said rifle access improves practice opportunities and hunting ethics. A resident who described experience at Beckley and Homestead County Park told the board disabled hunters use ground blinds and have hunted rifles, shotguns or archery without incident for 18 years, warning that prohibiting rifles from ground blinds would remove an accessibility option.

Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners debated safety, ethics and equity for hunters with disabilities but by the end of the discussion the chair summarized the meeting’s consensus. "Can I conclude that the consensus of the board is we are not going to take any county action on this and just let the shot—" Amanda agreed. Multiple commissioners voiced agreement with letting the state change take effect while inviting the sheriff’s office to raise any public-safety concerns if needed. The board did not adopt an ordinance and there was no formal vote recorded; staff said they have received some individual outreach from constituents and at least one public comment had been filed earlier.

What remains unresolved: Commissioners asked staff to keep the sheriff’s office involved and to monitor complaints or incidents after the state change takes effect. The board also left open the option to draft a local ordinance in the future if safety data or public concern justifies it.

The board immediately moved on to its capital planning discussion; no formal ordinance or motion to preserve the shotgun-only zones was introduced or voted on during the meeting.