Members of the Faribault County Board, along with county coordinator Brian Hov, listened to the thoughts of county residents concerning the use of rifles or shotguns for hunting deer in the county beginning this fall.

The question of whether Faribault County should allow the use of high power rifles for deer hunting beginning this fall was up for discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 28 when the County Board hosted a work session to hear what members of the public had to say on the matter.

“In my five years as a commissioner I have never received more calls than I have on this topic,” board chairman Bruce Anderson told the crowd of around 25 people who attended the meeting.

Since the 1940s a significant portion of the state precluded the use of a rifle for deer hunting. This law was originally enacted in an effort to increase the deer population at that time.

Action taken by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025 repealed the law which had designated southern counties in the state as shotgun only.

With the repeal now in effect, rifles and all legal firearms will be allowed statewide. However, counties inside the old shotgun zone have the option to stick with shotgun restrictions if they want and those counties have until March 1 of this year to make that decision.

“If the county doesn’t do anything then rifles become legal,” Anderson said.

Anderson was asked if the county could change their restrictions next year if they so desired.

“We can change it every year if that’s what we wanted to do,” Anderson replied. “Our decision has to be made by March this year. In subsequent years, I believe that May is the cutoff date for our decision.”

All those attending the meeting were give the opportunity to speak and were asked to limit their comments to three minutes.

Larry Swenson of Easton was the first member of the public to share his thoughts.

“I have hunted deer for 62 years and I am against using a rifle in Faribault County for deer hunting,” Swenson commented. “I think the ramifications of possible ricochets are too dangerous and I am also concerned about the safety of using rifles when you consider the density of the housing in our county.”

Randy Olson of Winnebago stated he was also against the use of rifles for deer hunting in the county.

“I have 30 years of military experience,” Olson shared. “I fear what might happen if buildings or people get hit.”

Brad Halverson, of Blue Earth, also expressed his concerns with the housing and population density in the county.

“Within 200 yards of me are five different property owners,” Halverson remarked. “My associates that I hunt with will not allow a rifle to be used in our group.”

Nick Olson, who is from Frost, touched on another aspect of the situation.

“We have a deer population problem so I would like to see an increase in the bounty,” Olson stated. “I have hunted for 25 years and I am concerned there can be too many hunters in one area.”

While the first few people to speak up were opposed to allowing rifle hunting in Faribault County, there were a number of people at the meeting who spoke in favor using rifles to hunt deer.

“I have hunted in Minnesota for 50 years and with a high-power rifle in Wisconsin for 35 years,” Bricelyn area resident Greg Leland said. “I have never had any issues. It comes down to the people you are hunting with. I would also like to say that killing a deer with a rifle is a more humane way of doing it.”

Frost area farmer Josh Amundson shared he was among those that felt there were too many people in the area to allow rifle hunting.

“That being said, most hunters do things the right way,” Amundson added. “But I do worry about the small percentage of hunters who are not responsible.”

Kevin Poole, of Winnebago, said he has had a slug fly over his head.

“I didn’t like it,” Poole commented. “I can’t imagine what a round from a high-powered rifle would be like.”

Delavan Township resident Steve Krause had other concerns.

“My grandsons are just learning to hunt,” Krause commented. “I fear for their safety.”

“I had an incident where my grandson was in a deer stand and a slug hit a tree 20 yards away,” Brenda Baldwin, of Blue Earth, remarked. “I guess I have changed my mind because of the density of the people and feel we should stick to shotgun.”

Elmore resident Terry Jagerson spoke in favor of being able to use a rifle.

“I guess I am outnumbered in this group,” Jagerson offered. “I haven’t had these bad experiences. To me, it is not the firearm, it is the person controlling the firearm. Safe and ethical hunting are the keys.”

Others at the meeting offered their thoughts – both for and against the use of rifles for deer hunting.

But the point made by Jagerson became a larger part of the discussion.

Perhaps it was summed up best by Bricelyn’s Tom Legred.

“It sounds to me like the problem is some hunters,” Legred said.

It was a thought that was echoed by Blue Earth resident Mike Mathews.

“I can appreciate both sides of the discussion,” Mathews commented. “It is not about the gun, it is about the person behind the gun.”

Sheriff Scott Adams agreed it is a hunter problem.

“The DNR is short-staffed,” Adams noted. “It is a hunter ethics problem. But I would point out that many of those hunters are not from Faribault County.”

The commissioners were the last people to speak and all of them stated they were thankful for the input of the people who attended the meeting. However, each commissioner stated they had not decided how they would vote on the issue.

“Nothing is set in stone,” commissioner Greg Young concluded. “We all know there are too many deer in the county. We really need to listen to the landowners – the people who live out in the country.”