Deer hunting changes draw intrigue, concerns
A long-standing deer hunting law has
been repealed, giving more options and discussion
topics for area hunters and conservationists.
Large portions of Central and Southern
Minnesota, had shotgun-only zones since
the 1940s. In Martin County, Fox Lake
Conservation League President Tim Eisenmenger
said it was implemented back then
because of the deer population.
“We didn’t have hardly any deer here
[back then],” he said. “For years, the population
has grown immensely. We’re to the
point of overpopulation, we need more does
harvested than we get every year.”
While restrictions had lessened to include
muzzleloaders and legal handguns,
this still limited the options for deer hunters.
“Shorter range shots, you had to get them
closer, and they’re not nearly as accurate,”
Eisenmenger said. “Lesser deer kill percentage.”
In the 2025 legislature, the zones law has
been repealed, and any legal guns can be
used for the first deer hunting season after
Jan. 1, 2026.
Before that date, each county previously
affected will need to hold discussions. If
concerns are raised, they have the right to
add restrictions on certain guns or continue
using shotgun-only zones, which Freeborn
County voted back in May to do before the
repeal was finalized.
Eisenmenger said he was glad to see the
change come as it will allow for guns with
better accuracy to be used, but there are
some concerns involved.
“If people are doing by the law and not
trespassing, it’s fine,” he said. “The problem
is when you can shoot that much farther,
when the deer is across the fence in the
neighbor’s property, and you don’t have permission.
You don’t shoot for the skyline.”
By not shooting for the skyline, Eisenmenger
is referring to identifying your
target and what’s beyond. If you can’t tell
what’s beyond, like past a hill, he said the
shot should not be taken.
Rifle bullets can travel over three miles.
With a lower tree density in Martin County
and Southern Minnesota than further north,
an unobstructed bullet could strike someone
or something unintentionally.
Martin County Conservation Club Member
Ryan Fraser said he had seen this difference
first-hand when hunting in the south.
“Usually you’re in the woods,” he said.
“Here we have a lot of fields, so there is a
different open field policy. It comes down to
the basics of hunter safety,”
In talking to others, Eisenmenger said
around 80 percent of them are for it and 20
percent are against it. He said some would
prefer the law not change to keep with tradition.
Fraser said he doesn’t believe it will
change deer hunting much. If it does, it will
be similar to the impact felt when crossbow
hunting was allowed starting last year.
Some, like compound bow hunter Bryan
Gregor, said they like what they’ve got currently
and will stick with it. Others, like Jim
Utermarck, have preferred rifles when hunting
elsewhere and look to take advantage of
the change.
While it may be a split between those
who do and don’t take advantage among
adults, Fraser said he sees rifles becoming
the more popular choice among youth and
teen hunters.
“Because of the [lesser] recoil,” he said.
“On an AR platform, you can adjust the
stock so you don’t have little kids trying to
reach way out [with a shotgun].”