Faribault County Considers High-Powered Rifles for 2026 Deer Season
Faribault County officials are currently evaluating whether to permit the use of high-powered rifles for deer hunting in the upcoming 2026 season.
At a recent county board meeting, Sheriff Scott Adams explained that this decision will be made in the near future after discussions among regional law enforcement.
Regional Trends and Public Safety Concerns
During the Fifth District Sheriff’s meeting last week, Adams reported that about 60% of counties in the district are expected to keep the current slug-only hunting regulations, while 40% are leaning towards allowing high-powered rifles.
- Martin County is likely to remain slug-only
- Watonwan and Blue Earth counties are moving toward rifle hunting
- Waseca County plans to continue slug-only restrictions
- Freeborn County falls outside this district’s jurisdiction
Adams emphasized that the primary concern in this debate is public safety as the county weighs these changes.
Historical and Biological Context
The prohibition of high-powered rifles for deer hunting in Minnesota dates back to the 1940s when the state sought to allow deer populations to recover by limiting hunting to slug firearms, which have a shorter range and impact.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) now considers the deer population sufficiently robust to potentially support rifle hunting.
From a biological perspective, managing deer populations through hunting regulations is crucial to maintaining a balanced ecosystem and preventing overpopulation, which can lead to habitat degradation and increased vehicle collisions.
Current Legal Landscape and Public Opinion
Sheriff Adams noted that while high-powered rifles remain banned, firearms designed as pistols, such as AR-15 pistols, are currently legal for deer hunting in the area, a nuance many local hunters might not be aware of.
The sheriff also shared that feedback from residents tends to favor continuing slug-only hunting due to safety concerns tied to rifle ballistics and range.
He recommended the county board hold public hearings before making a final decision, highlighting his view that the responsibility to decide rests oddly with the county rather than the state.
Additional County Board Actions
- Kelly Hendrickson was appointed interim county recorder effective November 3
- The board approved a $15,072 purchase order with Metro Sales Inc. for a Ricoh IM C4510 printer
- Training funds were approved for assessor Kara Bendickson to attend a Vanguard User Group seminar
Additional reporting and sources from: Faribault Co. considers rifles for deer hunting | News, Sports, Jobs – Fairmont Sentinel
