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Cottonwood County adopts Deer Hunting Firearms Ordinance limiting weapons and setting penalties
Summary
The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance #44 on April 7, 2026, limiting weapons that may be used to take deer and establishing penalties; the measure passed 4–1. The ordinance cites Minnesota Statutes §97B.031, subd. 7, and takes effect after required notice and hearing.
The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners voted April 7, 2026, to adopt Cottonwood County Ordinance #44, which limits the types of firearms that may be used to take deer in the county. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Commissioner Kevin Stevens and seconded by Wayne Maras; Commissioners Larry Anderson, Donna Gravley, Kevin Stevens and Wayne Maras voted aye and Chairman Tom Appel voted nay, resulting in passage.
The ordinance cites authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.031, subdivision 7, and specifies that only the following firearms may be used to take deer in the county: legal shotguns loaded with single‑slug shotgun shells (including rifled barrels), legal muzzle‑loading long guns, or legal handguns. The ordinance states it is unlawful to use other firearms to take deer. Penalties are described as a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both, and enforcement is assigned to local law enforcement and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers. The minutes note the ordinance becomes effective upon adoption after notice and a public hearing consistent with law.
The board discussed the measure at the meeting; the minutes record Commissioner Appel leading the discussion and the stated statutory citation. The county clerk’s office and the County Coordinator’s office retain the official resolution and ordinance on file.
