When it comes to deer hunting in Minnesota, many assume the state’s shotgun zone was established for safety reasons. After all, it covers the much more open farmland regions of southern and western Minnesota, in contrast to the densely forested northern region where rifles are allowed. However, the real reason behind the shotgun zone’s creation was more about wildlife management than hunter safety.

Established in 1942, the shotgun zone was designed as a tool to manage deer populations in areas where numbers were historically low. In the mid-20th century, parts of southern Minnesota had such sparse deer populations that hunting seasons were occasionally closed altogether. At the time, shotguns were significantly less accurate than rifles, especially at longer distances. Their limited effective range required hunters to get much closer to their targets, which naturally reduced harvest rates. Limiting hunters to shotguns was a deliberate strategy to reduce efficiency and support the recovery of the region’s deer population.

Today, things have changed. Deer populations in many areas of the shotgun zone have rebounded significantly, and at the same time, shotgun technology has advanced dramatically. Modern ammunition, combined with rifled barrels and optics, have made shotguns nearly as accurate as rifles, even at extended ranges. Given these changes in both deer numbers and firearm capabilities, some stakeholders have advocated for removing the shotgun zone entirely, allowing rifles to be used statewide. Others, however, remained concerned. For comparison, Wisconsin eliminated its shotgun zone in 2013 and has not experienced an increase in firearms-related incidents.

For 2026, shotgun zone repealed

The shotgun zone remains in effect for the 2025 deer season.

Looking ahead, the Minnesota Legislature repealed the shotgun zone for the 2026 season. There will be no changes for the fall 2025 season. Legislation also allows counties within the current shotgun zone to restrict firearms use within county boundaries. And the new legislation requires the DNR to, by March 1, 2026, notify county boards and county sheriffs of this option available to counties in the shotgun zone to adopt an ordinance restricting firearms use.

A map of the shotgun-rifle zone boundary is available on the deer permit area map PDF.