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Residents urge keeping shotgun‑only rule in Nobles County, citing safety and local incidents
Summary
Multiple public commenters at a Feb. 12 hearing urged the Board of Commissioners to retain the shotgun‑only restriction for deer hunting, citing safety concerns, long hunting experience, and a local bullet incident.
Several residents told the Nobles County board they oppose allowing rifles for deer hunting because of safety worries and local anecdotes. Gordon (Gordy) Heitkamp, a resident who said he has hunted for decades, told the board "why are we even talking about this," saying he has seen accidents and is concerned for grandchildren sitting in stands. Aaron Sieve, a gun‑club board member, recounted an incident he said involved a bullet that "went through garage door into cabinet," using the anecdote to argue against lifting restrictions.
Other commenters reinforced the safety point. Deputy Matt Nelson (who identified himself as a deputy) emphasized environmental variables, saying wind can carry projectiles and expressing a preference to keep shotgun‑only rules because "I wouldn’t allow" rifle use in his view for local conditions. The public record from the hearing records these safety concerns; commissioners placed the item on the Feb. 17 agenda for further consideration.
