Last night, September 2, 2025, one of our owners, Heather Koffler, attended the Lyon County public forum regarding the upcoming changes to Minnesota’s deer hunting laws. The meeting was held at the Lyon County Law Enforcement Center, where county commissioners invited the public to share input on whether Lyon County should continue restricting deer season to shotguns only, or allow rifles beginning in 2026.
At the outset, the commissioners clarified that this was a public forum only. No decision would be made that night, and participants were asked to share their thoughts rather than engage in back-and-forth debate. Roughly 20 people spoke, with only two voicing support for continuing the shotgun-only restriction. The overwhelming majority supported allowing rifles.
Key Points Raised
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Safety Concerns: A couple of participants expressed concern about safety, suggesting ideas like minimum distances for certain calibers and requiring written permission from landowners. Others countered that firearm safety is taught universally, regardless of platform. Firearm safety instructors in attendance emphasized that responsible use is the foundation of hunting education, not the type of firearm. There were also several people who shared ballistics information demonstrating that rifles are no less safe than shotguns.
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Effectiveness and Ethics: Multiple speakers pointed out that rifles already exist in hunting through muzzleloaders and rifle-caliber pistols. They argued that the ban on rifles is outdated given modern technology and that rifles allow for more ethical harvesting in open terrain, reducing the risk of wounding animals.
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Comparison to Other States: Data from Wisconsin’s 2013 decision to eliminate shotgun-only zones was referenced, noting no increase in safety issues. Several mentioned that all states bordering Minnesota already allow rifles, with no higher injury rates than Minnesota.
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Deer Population Management: A few speakers worried that allowing rifles would drastically reduce the deer population or hurt herd quality. Others responded that deer numbers and harvest quality should be managed through licensing and permits—not firearm restrictions.
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Local Hunting Culture: Some emphasized that rifles would help keep young hunters interested and engaged in the sport. Others highlighted that rifle use is already common for hunting other game, such as coyotes, and in nearby states.
Commissioners’ Role
One important clarification came from the commissioners: their decision is limited only to whether rifles will be permitted. They do not have the authority to dictate calibers or additional restrictions. The Minnesota DNR will reach out to counties by January 1, 2026, to hear whether each county will adopt the change or remain shotgun-only. Lyon County commissioners indicated they plan to make their decision before January.
What’s Next
The forum made it clear that the Lyon County community is deeply engaged in this decision. While a small minority remains cautious about change, the majority of voices supported allowing rifles. The debate highlighted the tension between tradition, safety concerns, and evolving technology in hunting.
As advocates for responsible firearm use and ethical hunting, River Valley Arms & Ammo supports opening Lyon County to rifles for deer hunting. Neighboring states and Minnesota counties with rifle seasons have shown that rifles can be used safely when paired with strong hunter education and appropriate licensing.
The decision now rests with the county commissioners, who will weigh this public input before making their call in the months ahead.
For more information on the statute being referenced, you can view it here: Minnesota Statute SF107.