Minnesota counties now digging into implications of change to shotgun zone for deer hunting

When state legislators earlier this year approved the elimination of Minnesota’s “slug zone” for deer hunting, it appeared debate was closed regarding an issue that had reared its head during the past several sessions. Firearms deer hunters in that zone, which includes most of the southern portion of the state, would be allowed to use rifles for deer hunting beginning with the 2026 season.
But there was a caveat, and it’s proved to be a reason that intense discussions about the shotgun zone are far from over: Individual county boards, per the legislation, may choose to “opt out,” thereby retaining a shotgun-only zone.

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