Support Statewide Rifle Use for Deer Hunting in Minnesota

• Minnesota has moved to statewide rifle legality beginning in 2026

• Some counties are considering local shotgun-only restrictions

• These local rules:

  • Create confusion

  • Reduce hunter participation

  • Undermine statewide wildlife management goals

• Safety & Accuracy

  • Modern rifles improve shot precision

  • Reduce wounded deer

  • Encourage ethical harvests

  Effective Deer Management

  • Helps meet DNR population goals

  • Especially important in high-density areas

  Hunter Participation & Retention

  • More options = more participation

  • Supports rural economies and hunting traditions

  Statewide Consistency

  • Same rules across Minnesota

  • Less confusion for hunters and landowners

• MDHA supports the statewide rifle regulation

• Represents ~20,000 members and 60 chapters

• Focused on:

  • Conservation

  • Education

  • Advocacy

  • Long-term deer herd health

• Supporting rifle use supports:

  • Ethical harvest

  • Hunter participation

  • Healthy deer herds

• This is about conservation, not convenience

Independent Studies

Brett Meyer, BS, DC

Counties in red are considering or have gone to shotgun only. Counties in green are open to rifles. Counties in gray are undecided, unkwown, or already open to rifles. If you have updated information please share at info@mndeerhunters.com