Murray County hearing draws extended, divided public comment on allowing rifles for deer hunting

Murray County commissioners heard more than an hour of public testimony on opening deer hunting to rifles in farmland zones, with residents split over safety and wildlife-quality implications.

Opponents warned that rifles and high-capacity magazines increase risk and change hunting behavior. "I am really concerned with the safety issues with high-powered rifles and also the detrimental effect that it could have on the deer resources," said Calvin Larson, a former Minnesota DNR employee who spoke during public comment. Nick Pyske, who said he represents county hunters, argued wider use of rifles would not improve deer quality and would raise safety concerns on county roads and near private property: "Do we need our local deer hunters going to the field geared with SWAT weapons? This is insane," he said.

Supporters told the board the state Department of Natural Resources controls population rules and that safety training is already required for most hunters. "I am for rifle for use in deer in the farmland zone," said Jan Torres of Dover, who noted hunter education requirements and cited Wisconsin's experience after moving to county rifle seasons.

The board also read a written comment submitted by Jason Wenzel (read into the record) urging commissioners to open rifle hunting; the written remark argued rifles are more accurate and would reduce wounded deer. Several speakers pressed commissioners on magazine capacity and the potential for larger groups to hunt with semi-automatic-style rifles.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions but did not take an immediate vote on a local regulation change. "We will take all this information into consideration, and I guess we'll see where it goes from here," the chair said at the hearing's close. The record remains open to the board for deliberation of whether to recommend a local rule change, defer to the DNR, or take no action.