Resident urges Winona County to oppose elimination of shotgun-only hunting zone
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Summary
Robert Wick of Hart Township urged commissioners to prevent any local lifting of shotgun-only restrictions, saying rifle use would increase safety risks in bluff-country terrain and citing long-standing shotgun-zone protections.
Robert Wick of Hart Township addressed the Winona County Board during public comment to oppose elimination of the shotgun-only zone in southeastern Minnesota and asked the county to "side with safety." He said his property sits near state land with heavy hunter use and that the change would materially increase risk to residents.
Wick said shotgun-only restrictions have protected bluff-country neighborhoods for 83 years and he urged the county to adopt an ordinance limiting rifle use if state law allows county-level options. "Different terrain, different considerations. Shotgun zone has been in existence for 83 years," he said.
Wick described firearms-range differences and offered technical comparisons between shotgun and rifle ranges; he argued rifles travel farther and carry higher risk in the hilly topography around his property. He said he brought documentary materials for the board and staff and offered to circulate copies.
No county action was taken at the meeting; commissioners acknowledged the request and one commissioner later asked for the issue to be placed on a future committee agenda for discussion and more information.
Ending: The board recorded the public comment and a commissioner requested the topic be added to a future committee meeting for further review.