Bill > HF625

This bill eliminates the existing "shotgun zone" for deer hunting in Minnesota, which previously restricted the types of firearms that could be used in a specific geographic area during the regular firearms deer season. Under the new legislation, hunters will be allowed to use all legal firearms statewide during the regular firearms deer season, removing the previous restrictions that limited hunters in certain counties to only shotguns, muzzle-loading long guns, and handguns. The bill also requires the commissioner of natural resources to submit a report by December 1, 2028, to legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members, detailing the impact of removing the shotgun zone on deer hunting and deer populations. The report may include recommendations for additional statutory or policy changes. Specifically, the bill repeals Minnesota Statutes section 97B.318, which previously defined the shotgun use area and its boundaries, effectively creating a uniform statewide approach to deer hunting firearm regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0625&ssn=0&y=2025