Public Hearing Notice

LE SUEUR COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

88 SOUTH PARK AVE.

LE CENTER, MINNESOTA 56057

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD

DATE:                    THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026

TIME:                    6:30 P.M.

PLACE:                  Le Sueur County Justice Center, 435 E Derrynane St, Le Center MN 

The meeting may be attended virtually or in person.  The virtual meeting link can be accessed via the posted agenda at the following location:   https://mn-lesueurcounty.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192026-722?html=true 

PURPOSE:           To discuss whether to restrict deer hunting to shotguns only, following the state’s repeal of the 14-county shotgun zone for the 2026 season. The meeting will address if the county should implement its own ordinance allowing only shotguns/muzzleloaders, or allow rifle usage as permitted by state law. 

DRAFT ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, since 1942, the State of Minnesota had restricted the types of firearms used to hunt deer due to concerns with landowner rights, hunter and public safety, and deer population management.

WHEREAS, during the 2025 session, the Minnesota Legislature adopted, and the Governor signed an act to repeal Minnesota Statutes § 97B.318, which designated Le Sueur County as part of the shotgun-only use deer hunting area, effective for the firearms deer hunting season; and

WHEREAS, that same act added Minnesota Statutes § 97B.031, subdivision 7, which permits a County Board of Commissioners to adopt an ordinance after notice and public hearing to limit the types of firearms that may be used to hunt deer within a county, including restrictions of the same scope and type previously allowed by the former Minnesota Statutes § 97B.318; and

WHEREAS, the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners finds the extent of firearms limitations contained in the former Minnesota Statutes § 97B.318 promotes safety, mitigates potential trespassing, and responsibly manages the deer population; and

WHEREAS, the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners is authorized by Minnesota Statute § 97B.031, subd. 7, to maintain such firearms limitations as were contained in the former Minnesota Statutes § 97B.318 through the adoption of an ordinance after due notice and public hearing; and

WHEREAS, having now held the noticed public hearing required by law on March 19, 2026, and considering the comments offered by the public, the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners finds preservation of the shotgun use area for firearms deer hunting season in Le Sueur County to be appropriate.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioner does hereby ordain:

AN ORDINANCE LIMITING FIREARMS ALLOWED FOR DEER HUNTING IN LE SUEUR COUNTY

Section 1. SHOTGUN USE AREA AND FIREARMS LIMITATIONS 

The “shotgun use area” for purposes of this Ordinance is defined as the entire territory within the boundaries of Le Sueur County, State of Minnesota. 

During the regular firearms deer hunting season in the shotgun use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels. 

Unlawful firearms. It is unlawful to use a firearm other than those described herein to take deer in the County. 

Section 2. PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT  

Enforcement. The County Sheriff and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers have the authority to enforce the provisions of this ordinance.

Penalties.  A person who violates this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as defined by law. 

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION 

This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after ____________, 2026, and shall continue in full force and effect after its passage and publication in accordance with the law.

ADOPTED by the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners this ____ day of ___________, 2026.