Hunting And Outdoor Sports
Lyon County Weighs Rifle Hunting as Minnesota Ends Shotgun-Only Zones
Local public hearing reveals safety concerns and support ahead of 2026 rifle-hunt option
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Marshall, MN
On September 3, 2025, Lyon County commissioners convened a public hearing in Marshall to gauge resident perspectives on whether the county should opt out of a new state law ending shotgun-only deer zones for the 2026 season. Under the revised statute, rifle hunting would be authorized statewide, but counties previously designated as shotgun-only can choose to maintain restrictions locally. The session served as a listening post rather than a decision point, with commissioners emphasizing that no changes will be enacted without further deliberation and public input. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Community sentiment revealed a nuanced debate. Some residents voiced safety concerns tied to rifle use in populated or peripheral areas. Dana Bartz, a Lynd Township landowner, urged consideration for limiting .308-caliber use around homes and towns, underscoring fear of unintended high-velocity impacts. Conversely, proponents like Tim Meyerwho noted neighboring states permit rifle hunting without elevated injury ratespointed to other jurisdictions as evidence that rifles need not be riskier than shotguns. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Commissioners reiterated their limited authority: they can only decide whether to opt out of rifle hunting; they cannot enact caliber or range restrictions. This distinction matters given the technical limitations of county governance in firearm regulation. Craig Kesteloot underscored practicality, reminding the board that rifles are already in local use for coyote hunting, including muzzleloaders, casting doubt on the notion that expanding their lawful use presents new risk. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} Voices supporting rifle inclusion framed it as a generational issue, with youth engagement hanging in the balance. Matt Evans suggested that flexibility in legal tools may keep younger hunters active, helping sustain the hunting culture. Meanwhile, Ron Proroka firearm safety instructorstressed that safety results from training and fundamentals, not weapon type. He argued that teaching principles applies equally across shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} On the conservation front, concerns about over-harvesting surfaced. Some worried that rifle efficiency could reduce herd density beyond intended levels, while others countered that wildlife management frameworksnot firearm restrictionscontrol population levels through license and season design. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} The hearing also featured a recorded message from Minnesota State Representative Chris Swedzinski, affirming that neighboring South Dakota allows rifle hunting without any uptick in related accidents, reinforcing the idea that expanded tool access need not undermine safety. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} As for next steps, commissioners signposted a timeline: beginning in early 2026, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will initiate county-level consultations about the opt-out process. Any decision to restrict rifle hunting would necessitate additional public hearings and formal local action. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}