After two hours of discussion in front of Brown County Commissioners, a hand count was taken. Thirty-two hearing attendees favored keeping the county a shotgun-only zone for deer hunting. Twenty-three attendees favored allowing rifles for deer hunting next season.

Commissioners have until Tuesday, May 5 to decide if they will retain their shotgun-only zone status or allow the use of rifles for deer hunting.

The Minnesota Legislature repealed the “shotgun-only” zone for Minnesota deer hunting effective Jan. 1, 2026.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.

Brown County Commission Chairman Scott Windschitl said the shotgun and/or rifle hunting issue has drawn lots of interest.

“We’re here to gather data,” said Windschitl. “In my 16 and one-half years on the board, I haven’t heard about anything as much as I have on this.”

He said most southern Minnesota county boards have not taken action on the deer hunting firearms question yet.

Former Brown County Pheasants Forever President Tim Kraskey of rural Springfield spoke first at the hearing.

“I and many of my hunting friends and landowners in Brown County wish to convey the following reasons why we should keep the shotgun requirements and not move to rifles,” he said. “Here are the reasons, unsafe shooting practices, in Brown County we are flat, increasing the opportunity for unsafe shooting and potential accidents, road hunters that don’t follow rules very well, will be encouraged to behave more poorly by allowing rifles. They are tough to prosecute and will trespass at will. Trespassing will increase and our current trespass laws are very confusing for hunting.”

Kraskey said rifle bullets travel a lot farther. He said more than 100 landowners, concerned citizens and deer hunters signed a petition to keep shotgun rules in place.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Tim Krazkey of rural Springfield speaks at a public hearing to regulation firearms deer hunting in Brown County Wednesday.

George Smith of New Ulm, a firearms safety instructor for more than 20 years, left no doubt about his view.

“This is the dumbest thing. I hope Brown County has the guts to say ‘no’ to rifles,” he said.

Cliff Coy of New Ulm disagreed.

“Data shows rifle hunting is safer than shotguns with lower accident rates. Rifles shoot further but they’re a lot more accurate,” said Coy.

Shawn Syverson of Lake Park, Iowa agreed.

“I’m very pro-rifle. I’ve been in law enforcement since 2010, on a SWAT team and took ballistic training,” he said. “Data doesn’t show rifles are more dangerous than a 12-gauge shotgun. Rifle cartridges are much more likely to drop a deer with one shot. Many deer are wounded by shotguns and not taken. None of my six kids want to shoot a shotgun, which can injure a shoulder. Shotguns are way too much gun for them.”

Mike Wendt of Springfield said he didn’t want to see “a bunch of high-powered rifle bullets ricocheting” around him.

“People buy a rifle and have no idea what it can do. They scare me. My kids play outside,” said Zach Richert of Springfield.

“A rifle is only as accurate as the moron behind it. I don’t want to wake up in the morning and find bullet holes in my house and car,” said Steven Tyler of rural Sleepy Eye.

Kevin Rupp of Comfrey said he supported limiting rifle use.

“We’ve used shotguns for 80-some years. What do we need to fix?” he said.

Brett Meyer of New Ulm said DNR data shows shotgun hunters are 34% more likely to be injured hunting and 2.76 times more likely to hurt somebody.

“I grew up shotgun only hunting. I quit that after slugs whizzed by my head. IT was close. I created a rifle hunting petition signed by 80 people,” he said.

“I think deer numbers need to come down. I killed three with my car last year,” said Daryl Christianson of Sleepy Eye.

“We’ve had deer poachers and people we don’t recognize hunting our land. I’ve called the DNR Conservation Officer,” said Tim Knaak of rural New Ulm.

Brown County Commissioner Dave Borchert, also the New Ulm Police Chief, said he’s shot thousands of rounds with shotguns and rifles.

“Hunting doesn’t always involve disciplined, well-trained hunters. I favor shotgun-only,” he said.