on March 18, 2026
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Pipestone County Commissioners during their March 10 meeting voted to follow state law allowing the use of rifles for deer hunting.
That state law, adopted in 2025, eliminated the state’s shotgun zone that restricted deer hunters to using only shotguns, muzzleloaders and handguns in the southern portion of the state and allowed hunters anywhere in the state to use all legal firearms, including rifles, for deer hunting. Counties in the former shotgun zone could adopt an ordinance restricting the use of rifles. If they took no action, rifles would be allowed.
The Pipestone County Commissioners held a public hearing on Feb. 24 to take comments from the public before deciding whether to allow rifles or restrict their use. About 40 people attended that hearing and most of them supported the use of rifles. The commissioners said during the March 10 meeting that they appreciated the turnout at the public hearing as well as the information and opinions that were provided.
While no action was needed to allow the use of rifles, Commissioner Dallas Roskamp said he preferred that a vote be taken. He then made a motion to follow state law to allow deer hunting with rifles and shotguns.
“I make that motion hesitantly, but it’s the will of the people,” he said. “I’m afraid hunting is going to change now. Party hunting is going to disappear.”
Pipestone County Commissioner Dan Wildermuth said he thought it was important to be somewhat similar to neighboring counties, especially because hunting zones don’t always align with county boundaries. Among the counties surrounding Pipestone County, Lincoln, Murray and Lyon counties will allow the use of rifles. Rock and Nobles counties chose not to allow rifles.
Commissioner Luke Johnson said that no matter how people choose to hunt, he hoped they do it safely.
“I would just hope that anyone hunting is cautious and knows what they’re shooting at and what’s behind what they’re shooting at,” Johnson said.