SF660 would eliminate Minnesota’s current “shotgun zone” for deer hunting during the regular firearms deer season. Under the bill, all legal firearms could be used statewide for taking deer during that season, rather than limiting hunters in the designated shotgun-use area to shotguns loaded with single-slug shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns. The bill also repeals the existing statute that defines the shotgun use area and the separate all-legal-firearms use area.
In practical terms, the bill would simplify deer hunting firearm rules by removing the geographic split between the shotgun zone and the rest of the state. Hunters anywhere in Minnesota would be able to use any firearm already legal for deer hunting during the regular firearms season, subject to other hunting laws and equipment restrictions that remain in place. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 97B.031 and repeals section 97B.318, which currently contains the shotgun-zone boundary and related use restrictions.
Impact
The bill would directly change Minnesota’s game and fish laws by removing the statutory shotgun-use area for regular firearms deer season and replacing it with a statewide rule allowing all legal firearms. It would repeal Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.318, which currently establishes the shotgun zone boundary and firearm limitations, and it would add a new subdivision to section 97B.031 stating that all legal firearms may be used statewide during the regular firearms deer season. This would affect deer hunters, wildlife regulators, and enforcement of firearm-type restrictions in deer hunting seasons.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a straightforward deregulatory hunting bill with no recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials. The caption and sponsor list suggest support from legislators interested in expanding firearm options for deer hunters, and the bill’s purpose is presented in a simple, practical way rather than as a controversial policy change. Because no transcripts or vote history are included, there is no documented opposition or formal sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent intent to liberalize hunting rules.
Contention
The main point of contention likely concerns whether Minnesota should retain a shotgun-only deer hunting area or allow all legal firearms statewide. Supporters would likely argue that the shotgun zone is outdated, unnecessary, or burdensome for hunters, while opponents may prefer the existing zone for reasons such as safety, tradition, land-use compatibility, or wildlife management. The bill does not include compromise language, and the provided materials do not show any committee discussion or recorded votes identifying specific objections, so any contention is inferred from the policy change itself rather than documented debate.
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