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HF 625

Shotgun zone for taking deer eliminated, and report required.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Swedzinski

Minnesota bill eliminates shotgun-only deer hunting zones, expanding firearm options but removing a targeted wildlife management and safety tool.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 625

Legislative bill overview

HF 625 eliminates Minnesota's shotgun zone for deer hunting, a designated geographic area where shotguns were the primary or only legal firearm for deer harvest. The bill also requires a report, presumably on the impacts of this elimination or alternative deer management approaches.

Why is this important

Shotgun zones have been used as a wildlife management tool to reduce hunting pressure in certain areas and minimize risks in densely populated regions where rifle use may be unsafe. Eliminating this zone could significantly alter deer hunting patterns, access, and management strategies across affected Minnesota counties, while potentially affecting local wildlife populations and hunter participation rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Hunter equity and access: Elimination may advantage rifle hunters while disadvantaging those who invested in shotgun-specific equipment or prefer shotgun hunting
  • Public safety concerns: Shotgun zones in populated areas exist partly because shotguns are safer in dense settlements; expanding rifle hunting could raise safety questions
  • Wildlife management flexibility: Removing a targeted management tool limits DNR's ability to regulate harvest intensity in specific regions where deer populations or human-wildlife conflicts require calibrated approaches
  • Rural vs. urban interests: May reflect broader tensions between rural hunting traditions and urban/suburban safety and land-use priorities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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