NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously set a March 11 public hearing to consider an ordinance to regulate deer hunting firearms to shotgun only Tuesday.

The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. in the Brown County Law Enforcement Center training room.

The Minnesota Legislature repealed the “shotgun-only” zone for deer hunting effective Jan. 1, 2026. The change allows for the use of rifles statewide, although previously restricted counties may pass ordinances to remain shotgun-only. The restriction remained in place for the 2025 hunting season.

A county board of a county located in the shotgun zone may adopt an ordinance after notice and a public hearing to limit the type of firearms that may be used to hunt deer within the county.

Subsequent ordinances may be adopted only after additional notice and a public hearing and are effective until repealed or modified by ordinance.

The change largely affects southern Minnesota, where historically, high-population density prompted the 1942 rule to limit rifle range.

The Minnesota DNR advises checking local county ordinances for specific 2026 restrictions. The legislative change was passed to modernize hunting regulations based on increased deer numbers, improved firearm technology, and decreased safety risks.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Dave Borchert.