Gellar
Well-known member
I'm anxious to see how allowing each county to decide works out. Knowing first hand how county meetings become a shit show of emotions with a lot of misinformation being thrown around I can imagine how this will go.
Minnesota Shotgun Zone going to Rifle
- Thread starter Bowhuntrben
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Nick87
Well-known member
Are you hunting a fairly large chunk of property?
Unless I'm mistaken, I thought Minnesota was a one buck state across all seasons. Granted, they allow party hunting and that gets taken advantage of.
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I agree, too many people that are not informed with a chance to persuade a decision. One county could have one individual who is extremely vocal using inaccurate information, anecdotal experiences, and hypothetical situations. Data and evidence should decide, not emotions. The state wanted to save grace, "the county can decide, we just gave the option".
Gellar
Well-known member
Houston County Minnesota had a public meeting on March 3. you can find the minutes from the meeting at this link: https://www.co.houston.mn.us/public-meetings/ BOC minutes 2026 | Page 62-66. On March 10 the BOC discussed it at a work group meeting, no public comment. Those minutes are at the same link on page 68. During the Work Group meeting one of the commissioners noted two counties that had opted to not do a county ordinance against rifles. No action was taken and its noted to be taken up at a later meeting. I cannot find the date at which the the DNR has to be notified of an ordinance but I would think it is soon so they can get the regulations for 2026 posted and printed.
In another note from reading the minutes I saw the B.O.C. discussed expansion of cold water stream designation for trout fishing and they are against that.
In another note from reading the minutes I saw the B.O.C. discussed expansion of cold water stream designation for trout fishing and they are against that.
Much of the southeast is one per license type (archery, firearms, muzzleloader). But I would be willing to bet it's a miniscule percentage that takes advantage of that. Same thing with party hunting, it's a tiny percentage of people that cross tag bucks.
Wisconsin's statewide switch to allowing rifles has been fairly recent, I don't care enough to look up the exact date. Local municipalities are able to limit the discharge of centerfire rifles within their township boundaries, but most of these little townships are reliant on the county sheriff for their police needs, and you won't be able to get a deputy to enforce that law.
I hunted SE Wisconsin shotgun/bow/muzzleloader only growing up. I've been back and hunted rifle several times. Not much changed at all. The woods are so thick in 95% of the places I hunt that having one or the other doesn't make much difference. I think the past few deer I've killed were on the ground within 20 yards, with the exception being a longer poke of about 130 through a pine thicket. Firearm safety is still firearm safety, no matter what you're carrying.
I hunted SE Wisconsin shotgun/bow/muzzleloader only growing up. I've been back and hunted rifle several times. Not much changed at all. The woods are so thick in 95% of the places I hunt that having one or the other doesn't make much difference. I think the past few deer I've killed were on the ground within 20 yards, with the exception being a longer poke of about 130 through a pine thicket. Firearm safety is still firearm safety, no matter what you're carrying.
2013 was the Wisconsin switch. And they've had like 8 of their 10 safest hunting seasons since.
rogerthat
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Rifles during the rut are garbage. I don’t care where you live. Step in the wrong direction imo
I agree, it think its a small percentage that holds little weight in the grand scheme. What I meant for taking advantage of is lawfully. I know some people are not within direct vision or verbal contact.
The step has very little difference since shotguns have already been used in the rut. Address the root cause, which is firearm hunting the rut.
I'm in Indiana and we switched to rifles over a decade ago. Wasn't in favor of it then, and I'd still prefer we would have just stuck with shotguns.
The shotgun requires closer range shots and made things a bit more sporting and challenging. Seems like every deer hunting rule change we've seen since I started hunting in early 70's has been to make the sport easier.
The shotgun requires closer range shots and made things a bit more sporting and challenging. Seems like every deer hunting rule change we've seen since I started hunting in early 70's has been to make the sport easier.
as it should. Hunting has to compete with other sports, and things like video games. It needs to be easy and accessible for the vast majority, or it dwindles.
I tend to disagree. Make it too easy and it dwindles. Hunting is supposed to be a challenge with a slight chance of a reward if you do things right and get a little lucky. I don’t think the change from shotguns to rifles is going to be the deal-breaker, though. My Savage 220 really isn’t much different than a rifle at ranges most kids will be shooting.
Nick87
Well-known member
This and its like a snowball effect imo.
Hunting is supposed to be about tradition, being with your family and friends, being outdoors, and "being a part of nature" or however you prefer to put that. It will always be a challenge, but that's not what it's about.
rogerthat
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The hardest things in life usually are the most meaningful. I have found that to be true with hunting also
