Watonwan County commissioners hear public comment on proposed repeal of shotgun-only deer zone; decision on public hearing deferred to March 3

The Watonwan County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Feb. 25, 2026, in the Meeting Room at Watonwan County Human Services in St. James to receive public comment on a proposed repeal of the county's shotgun-only deer hunting zone and on options to limit the types of firearms that may be used to hunt deer. Chair Scott Westman opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. and described the purpose as listening to members of the public on the topic.

Commissioners Jim Branstad, Bill Miller, Dillon Melheim and Jim Pettersen were listed as present; Sheriff Bergman also attended. The transcript records that the board "listened to public comments" on the matter but does not provide verbatim text of individual speakers. After the public-comment period, Westman thanked the public and announced that the board will make a decision on whether to set a public hearing for a shotgun-only zone ordinance at the regular board meeting on March 3, 2026. The special meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

The session provided the county a formal venue to gather resident input before the board formally considers whether to schedule a public hearing and pursue a change to hunting regulations. No formal motion or vote was recorded at the special meeting; the board deferred action to its regular March 3 meeting, where a public hearing question will be addressed.