Rifle Ban Ends for Southern Minnesota Deer Hunters

Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota deer hunters will be able to use rifles in areas once limited to shotgun use only. (Photo by Realtree)

The 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session brought some big changes for hunters in the state, with the most significant being the repeal of the shotgun-only hunting zone regulation, effective January 1, 2026. The Senate passed the Environment Omnibus bill, removing the shotgun-only hunting zones in the state on June 9th, outside of regular session.

Thanks to the repeal, hunters who pursue deer in southern Minnesota will be allowed to use rifles during the 2026 firearms deer season. There will be no changes for the fall 2025 season. Previously, only shotgun slugs, muzzleloaders, and some handguns were allowed for deer hunting in the southern and western zones.

NRA-ILA reports the more than 80-year-old law was installed to increase the deer population in the 1940s. According to echopress.com, State Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, says, "Back then, deer herds were decimated, and the DNR was trying to limit deer harvests.” He added that the Department of Natural Resources at that time did not control hunting in Minnesota by issuing hunting permits like it does today. "The idea was to give deer a better chance."

The "shotgun-only" zone spanned across Minnesota from just north of Moorhead, south toward Alexandria, across to St. Cloud and ending at the St. Croix River near Taylor Falls.

Drazkowski says today’s southern Minnesota deer population is growing to the point that overpopulation helps lead to the spread of CWD. The state even hires sharpshooters with rifles to thin the deer herds with the hope of reducing the spread of CWD.

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An article in Minnesota DNR’s Deer Notes Newsletter explains that at the time of the ban, shotguns were significantly less accurate than rifles, especially at longer distances. Their limited effective range required hunters to get much closer to their targets, which naturally reduced harvest rates. Limiting hunters to shotguns was done to support the recovery of the region’s deer population.

Paul Burr, Minnesota's acting big game program coordinator, says it’s important to recognize that the performance gap between modern shotguns, muzzleloaders, and rifles has narrowed substantially over the years.

"While rifles still offer a longer effective range, particularly beyond 150 to 200 yards, many modern shotguns and muzzleloaders are more than capable within the distances most hunters are comfortable taking shots, Burr says. "Ultimately, regardless of the firearm used, it’s still up to the hunter to know their limits and take only ethical, high-percentage shots. So, in terms of harvest capability, the practical difference may not be as dramatic as it first appears."

Burr says since most deer hunters are primarily interested in harvesting a single deer to fill their tag and put meat in the freezer, that, regardless of the weapon used, he doesn't believe there'll be a dramatic increase in total harvest just because rifles are allowed. The motivation and goals of most hunters won’t change with this regulation.

"That said, rifles represent another effective tool in a hunter’s toolkit. Removing the shotgun restriction could make it easier for hunters who already own rifles or are more comfortable with them to participate,” he says. “The hope is that this change may lower a barrier to entry or improve access and convenience for some, possibly encouraging new hunters to get involved or helping lapsed hunters return. Whether that translates into a meaningful increase in participation or harvest remains to be seen, but the potential is there."

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) explains that counties within the current shotgun zone can now enact their own restrictions on firearms for deer hunting, but only via public hearings, ordinances, and transparent notice procedures. MDHA says repeal addresses the frustrations held by many over the outdated regulations while enabling community-driven changes.