I live down on the Minnesota River between Judson and Courtland. Lot of deer, hunters and homes with kids. Up and down the road my neighbors and I agree on on thing: No rifles.

Lets think about this.

Trespassing, shooting from the road right-of-way, shooting too close to buildings, road hunting and shooting across public roads are just a few of the violations that occur during deer season. Now add high powered rifles.

I attended both public meeting on this. Deer hunters wanted rifles. For everyone else, safety was the main concern. If you combined attendance, the slight majority was for no rifles.

You get three minutes to speak. I told the Nicollet commissioners nobody wants rifles and they never have. I have been watching this issue for years. I’ve talked to state senators, state representatives and hundreds of people from North Mankato, Judson, Courtland and Nicollet.

Safety is the main concern. Maybe commissioners should have knocked on some doors and asked people, shotguns or rifles?

In the end, commissioners voted 4 to 1 for rifles. Data from Wisconsin, studies, research and input from the DNR is why the voted to allow rifles.

You got it wrong. Safety should have been your only concern by far and away. Nicollet county residents don’t care about the data, studies or input from the DNR. They worry about their kids, parents, dogs and themselves. Just think about all the people that live in Nicollet County who are surround by prime deer hunting country. Commissioner Jack Kolars got it right–keep shotgun zone.

Brown County voted to keep shotgun zone. Nicollet commissioners could have also voted to keep shotgun zone, but I think some of the commissioners may have been influecned by their friends and families to vote for rifles.

High powered rifles are unacceptable. Nicollet commissioner need to throw this vote out. Keep shotgun regulation in place for 2026 deer season. Put this issue on the ballot and let the people decide on election day. Shotgun or rifles.

People speak up.