Shotgun Zone Law Change
Minnesota's shotgun zone began in 1942 as a deer management tool to boost low populations in southern farmlands by limiting harvest efficiency with less-accurate shotguns, but due to improved shotgun tech, increased deer numbers, and advocacy, the zone was largely repealed by the state legislature in June of 2025, allowing rifles statewide unless counties opt-in to remain shotgun-only.
Mn Statute 97B.318, which established the shotgun zone, is repealed as of January 1, 2026. Legislation also allows counties within the current shotgun zone to restrict firearms use within county boundaries. The DNR Conservation Officers will enforce shotgun-only ordinances passed under this authority.
A map of the shotgun-rifle zone boundary is available on the deer permit area map PDF.
Mower County’s Board of Commissioners will be holding a Listening Session on Monday, January 12th at 5:30pm at the Hormel Nature Center / Ruby Rupner 1304 21st ST NE, Austin, MN. The goal of this session is to take comment on the change in the law and inform a decision as to whether Mower County should continue as a shotgun-only county or open it to rifle hunting for the deer season. No decisions will be made at this meeting.
Comment is welcome in person or via email at Mower.admin@co.mower.mn.us