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Pipestone County hearing draws divided public as residents weigh keeping shotgun-only restrictions after state law change
Summary
At a public hearing, Pipestone County residents argued over whether to retain a local shotgun-only deer zone after the 2025 Minnesota Legislature authorized rifles statewide; speakers split between safety, humane-harvest and deer-population concerns. Commissioners will consider an ordinance at their March meeting.
Pipestone County held a public hearing on whether to keep a local shotgun-only restriction for deer hunting after the 2025 Minnesota Legislature authorized rifles statewide. County officials said Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will notify counties about the option and that a county must pass an ordinance to retain shotgun-only limits; if the county does nothing, rifle hunting would be allowed under state law.
Many residents said they wanted to allow rifles. "The rifles are superior in range, accuracy, and versatility," said Rick, a longtime hunter who described military firearms experience, arguing that a rifle often produces "one shot, one kill" and reduces wounded animals. Several speakers, including Dave Summers, described modern hunting practices—blinds and tree stands—and said rifles can be more accurate and manageable for older hunters.
Other commenters urged retaining shotgun-only rules. "I am very concerned for the safety of my family, children, and neighbors that would now be in direct dangerous range of the replacement of a modern rifle," said Matt Detterman, who said his property puts neighbors within ranges that rifles can reach. Detterman and other speakers warned that opening the county to rifles could increase harvest pressure and risk to people working in fields or near farm equipment.
Speakers and county representatives also discussed enforcement and authority. County staff relayed that DNR conservation officers told counties the original shotgun-only rule was intended to manage harvest rates rather than safety, and that DNR officers will enforce any shotgun-only ordinances counties pass; by contrast, more technical or more restrictive local rules could fall to county sheriffs. Residents pressed officials about how many DNR officers cover southwest Minnesota and warned enforcement could be "an enforcement nightmare" if neighboring counties adopt different rules.
The hearing included repeated calls for improved hunter education. Multiple speakers said hunter training, target identification and ethical behavior are central to safety, and some suggested limits on magazine capacity or other equipment restrictions as a mitigation measure—though speakers acknowledged that imposing such limits would involve legal and enforcement complexities.
No ordinance vote was taken at the hearing. County officials said the DNR will notify counties by March 1, 2026, and that the commissioners planned to place the matter on the March 10 regular meeting agenda for further consideration. The hearing functioned as an information-gathering session: commissioners thanked attendees and closed the session without taking action.
The transcript records a wide range of local views: proponents said rifles can reduce wounding and are already in broad use, while opponents warned of expanded rifle range reaching homes, farmworkers and fields and of potential overharvest. County officials and residents repeatedly noted that private landowners may set rules for weapons on their own land regardless of the county decision.
