County shotgun-only ordinance areas
Counties that adopted shotgun-only ordinances after the statewide zone repeal: Brown, Clay (part), Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Nobles, Pope, Rock, Watonwan, and Wilkin (part).
Minnesota Hunting Laws
Minnesota repealed its statewide southern shotgun zone (Minn. Stat. § 97B.318). Rifles are now legal statewide for deer — except in the 13 counties that adopted their own shotgun-only ordinances.
Rules checked against Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regulations, October 12, 2026.
At a Glance
Check a Cartridge in Minnesota
Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.
Local Ordinances Apply
Minnesota counties may adopt local shotgun-only ordinances. Thirteen counties have done so — check the county you hunt in before carrying a rifle.
Special Zones
Sourced Rules
Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.
Rifle
4 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer
The statewide shotgun-only zone is repealed — rifles, shotguns, and handguns are legal statewide unless a county ordinance says otherwise.
"The statewide shotgun zone repeal is now in effect. Some counties have adopted local shotgun-only ordinances."
2026 shotgun-zone FAQ (repeal of Minn. Stat. § 97B.318) · verified Aug 2026
White-tailed / Mule Deer
County shotgun-only ordinance areas
In the 13 counties with shotgun-only ordinances, rifles remain illegal for deer — shotgun (or other allowed arms) only.
2026 shotgun-zone FAQ · verified Aug 2026
White-tailed / Mule Deer
Deer rifles must be at least .22 caliber. Minnesota has no .24-caliber minimum.
"A person may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if: (1) any rifle, shotgun, or handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has centerfire ignition; (2) the firearm is loaded only with single project..."
Minn. Stat. § 97B.031 subd. 1 · verified Oct 2026
White-tailed / Mule Deer
Deer rifles must have centerfire ignition and fire a single soft-point or expanding projectile.
"any rifle, shotgun, or handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has centerfire ignition"
Minn. Stat. § 97B.031 subd. 1 · verified Oct 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
The statewide shotgun-only zone is repealed — rifles, shotguns, and handguns are legal statewide unless a county ordinance says otherwise.
"The statewide shotgun zone repeal is now in effect. Some counties have adopted local shotgun-only ordinances." |
2026 shotgun-zone FAQ (repeal of Minn. Stat. § 97B.318) | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
County shotgun-only ordinance areas
|
In the 13 counties with shotgun-only ordinances, rifles remain illegal for deer — shotgun (or other allowed arms) only. | 2026 shotgun-zone FAQ | Aug 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer rifles must be at least .22 caliber. Minnesota has no .24-caliber minimum.
"A person may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if: (1) any rifle, shotgun, or handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has centerfire ignition; (2) the firearm is loaded only with single project..." |
Minn. Stat. § 97B.031 subd. 1 | Oct 2026 |
|
White-tailed / Mule Deer
|
Deer rifles must have centerfire ignition and fire a single soft-point or expanding projectile.
"any rifle, shotgun, or handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has centerfire ignition" |
Minn. Stat. § 97B.031 subd. 1 | Oct 2026 |
All Weapons
1 rule
All species
Minnesota repealed its ban on hunting with a suppressor in 2015 and replaced it, in the same act, with a misuse penalty: hunting with a suppressed firearm is legal for any species, but if you commit trespass, closed-season hunting, shooting outside legal hours or spotlighting while carrying one, you lose your hunting privileges for five years. No state permit, registration or paperwork condition applies, and the current regulations booklet never mentions suppressors.
Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices
"Subd. 3a. Issuance after conviction; firearm suppressor. (a) A person who is convicted of a violation under paragraph (b) and possessed a firearm with a suppressor may not obtain a hunting license or hunt wild animals..."
Minn. Stat. § 97A.421 subd. 3a · verified Oct 2026
| Species | Rule | Citation | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
|
All species
|
Minnesota repealed its ban on hunting with a suppressor in 2015 and replaced it, in the same act, with a misuse penalty: hunting with a suppressed firearm is legal for any species, but if you commit trespass, closed-season hunting, shooting outside legal hours or spotlighting while carrying one, you lose your hunting privileges for five years. No state permit, registration or paperwork condition applies, and the current regulations booklet never mentions suppressors.
Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices
"Subd. 3a. Issuance after conviction; firearm suppressor. (a) A person who is convicted of a violation under paragraph (b) and possessed a firearm with a suppressor may not obtain a hunting license or hunt wild animals..." |
Minn. Stat. § 97A.421 subd. 3a | Oct 2026 |
Federal Rules That Apply in Every State
These federal requirements apply in Minnesota on top of state law.
Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species.
50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist.
50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm.
50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules.
50 CFR § 32.2(k)
Sources
Minnesota DNR — 2026 Shotgun Zone Changes FAQ
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · retrieved August 30, 2026
Minn. Stat. § 97A.421 — License ineligibility after conviction (subd. 3a, firearm suppressor)
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · retrieved October 11, 2026
Minn. Stat. § 97B.031 — Firearms and ammunition restrictions for taking big game (subd. 4, silencers, repealed 2015)
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · retrieved October 11, 2026
How to Use This Page
Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regulations are the final word.