COUNTY RULES REPLACE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA SHOTGUN ZONE

Minnesota deer hunters will encounter significant firearm-rule changes during the 2026 season.

State lawmakers eliminated Minnesota’s longtime southern shotgun-only zone. Rifles and shotguns may now be used statewide unless a county has adopted its own ordinance restricting deer hunters to shotguns and certain other legal firearms.

As of May 5th, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources listed 13 counties with shotgun restrictions: Brown, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Nobles, Pope, Rock and Watonwan counties, along with portions of Clay and Wilkin counties.

Counties can still adopt or modify their restrictions. Hunters should check both the current DNR regulations and local county rules before heading into the field. Minnesota DNR