Members of the Faribault County Board of Commissioners discuss the issue of shotguns and rifles for deer hunting, above, during a special County Board meeting last week. Left to right are county attorney Cameron Davis, commissioners Tom Loveall, Greg Young, Bruce Anderson, Bill Groskreutz and Gertrude Paschke.

The question of whether Faribault County would allow rifles for deer hunting or remain a shotgun-only zone was finally settled at a special meeting of the Faribault County Board of Commissioners which was held on Feb. 23.

After first listening to comments from the public, the board discussed the matter before passing an ordinance which will have Faribault County remain a shotgun-only county for the 2026 deer hunting season.

The question of shotgun versus rifle for deer hunting came into question because of changes that took place at the state level.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the Minnesota legislature repealed its long-standing “shotgun-only” zone, allowing the use of high-power rifles for deer hunting statewide.

While this change now permits rifle use in southern and western regions, individual counties previously restricted to shotguns have the option to pass ordinances to remain shotgun-only.

Most of the public comments shared at the meeting were in favor of allowing rifle hunting and echoed comments which had been expressed at two previous public meetings.

“I can’t see what the big big difference is,” Gene Kaufmann said. “High powered rifles are already used to hunt fox and coyotes in the county.”

Duane Ehrich shared that he had changed his mind on the matter.

“When this first came up, I didn’t think it was a good idea (to allow rifles),” Ehrich commented. “But I have changed my mind. I have counted 100 deer at my place. They eat my silage and they wreck my fences. The deer population is too high.”

Much of the talk focused on safety.

“I don’t think it’s a problem with shotguns or rifles,” Kevin Poole noted. “It is a problem with safety.”

Wells Rifle and Pistol Association president Donn Browne pointed out that rifle caliber is already allowed in pistols.

“The data from the last four years in Minnesota shows no houses being shot up,” Browne said. “And that is true in Wisconsin and Iowa also. Martin County and Waseca County are going to rifle zones and that is what I would like to see here.”

One person who felt the county should remain as a shotgun-only zone was Michelle Bell of Frost.

“I am speaking as a landowner and giving you a landowner’s perspective,” Bell commented. “I live right outside of Frost where there are many wood lots. My son was in a deer stand and a slug hit in a tree above him. I feel rifles will make dishonest hunters more dishonest. It is a tough situation.”

Another speaker thanked the commissioners for all of the time and effort they have spent on the subject and for listening to people’s opinions.

“It is a safety issue,” the speaker told the board. “Someone is going to be safe or unsafe no matter if they have a shotgun, rifle, a pistol or a Red Ryder BB gun. It is a hunter issue.”

Brenda Baldwin participated by Zoom and wondered if there was a difference in the liability issue depending on what the county would decide to do.

“I do not think this shifts the liability,” county attorney Cameron Davis responded. “I do not think this is a liability issue.”

Board chairman Bruce Anderson said he had received more input from people on this issue than any other issue he has had to deal with since he has been on the board.

“Originally I was receiving more support for the shotgun zone,” Anderson stated. “Then it shifted to 80 percent supporting rifle and 20 percent still wanting shotgun.”

He noted that the surrounding counties with the exception of Freeborn County have decided to go with rifle hunting and reiterated that rifles are already used for coyote hunting.

“Then there is the deer population,” Anderson commented. “Faribault County is in the top 10 in the state for insurance premiums related to deer issues.”

Board member Gertrude Paschke then offered her thoughts.

“I am going into my second year on the board. When I was elected I said I would represent the voice of my constituency,” Paschke said. “I have had 19 people contact me supporting rifle and 30 supporting shotgun.”

Commissioner Bill Groskreutz said that other than when the Law Enforcement Center was being built, that this had been the most he has heard from people on a subject.

“I have received a lot of phone calls and emails and they have been generally polite,” Groskreutz noted. “The question for me is, if the shot doesn’t hit its intended target, what will it hit?”

Board member Tom Loveall said that he agreed that the deer population is too high and that the people using the guns are the problem.

“At the same time, I don’t approve of the way the legislature handled this,” Loveall remarked. “They should not have put the county in this position – it leads to a patchwork of results.”

Then he added he was leaning towards voting for a shotgun-only zone.

“I am taking a cautious approach,” he commented. “We can revisit this next year – let’s see what happens.”

“Part of our problem is that Faribault County is limited to the number of deer each person can take,” commissioner Greg Young said. “My main concern is safety. Through our meetings we have heard stories of slugs hitting grain bins and houses.”

Anderson asked Faribault County Sheriff Scott Adams for his thoughts.

“Public safety is the issue,” Adams said. “I have no problem with our local hunters. The problem comes from people who come from out of the area. We always get calls from people who are reporting trespassing and driving complaints. We haven’t had any calls for hitting buildings.”

With the discussion coming to an end, Loveall presented a motion to have Faribault County be a shotgun only zone for deer hunting. The motion was seconded by Young and passed on a 4-1 vote. Joining Loveall and Young in supporting the measure were Paschke and Groskreutz. Anderson was the only commissioner to oppose the motion.

As was pointed out many times during the meeting, the County Board can change their mind and go to rifle hunting for any year in the future as long as they take action by May of the year in concern.