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Cottonwood County adopts ordinance limiting firearms for deer hunting; chair votes no
Summary
On April 7, 2026, the Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 44 limiting firearms for deer hunting to single‑slug shotguns, muzzle‑loading long guns, or handguns; the measure passed 4–1, with Chair Tom Appel dissenting.
The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners on April 7 adopted Ordinance No. 44, a county deer‑hunting firearms ordinance that narrows the types of firearms allowed for taking deer to legal shotguns loaded with single‑slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle‑loading long guns, or legal handguns.
Commissioner Kevin Stevens moved to adopt the ordinance and Commissioner Wayne Maras seconded. Commissioners Larry Anderson, Donna Gravley, Kevin Stevens and Wayne Maras voted in favor; Board Chair Thomas D. Appel voted no. The motion passed.
The ordinance text cites authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.031, subdivision 7. It states that using any firearm other than those listed to take deer in the county is unlawful and prescribes penalties of up to $1,000, imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both. The ordinance assigns enforcement authority to local law enforcement agencies and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers.
The ordinance includes an effective‑date clause stating it becomes effective “upon the adoption after notice and a public hearing consistent with law.” The board’s minutes record that it adopted the ordinance at the April 7 meeting; the ordinance text itself references the requirement for notice and a public hearing as part of the adoption process.
The action was taken at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in Windom during the board’s regular meeting. No direct quotes were recorded in the meeting minutes for the ordinance discussion.
