Rifle Deer Hunting Sparks Interest at Willmar Gun Show

Vendors report high interest in potential use of rifles in southern Minnesota counties during 2026 deer season

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The annual Willmar Gun Show saw an estimated 1,200 attendees over the weekend, with the biggest topic of conversation being the possibility of allowing rifle hunting for deer in Minnesota's southern counties during the 2026 season. Vendors reported high interest in the prospect, though many hunters are waiting to see if their local counties will opt out of the new state law allowing rifles.

Why it matters

The potential change to allow rifles in southern Minnesota is a significant shift from the traditional shotgun-only regulations in that region. It has generated a lot of discussion and anticipation among hunters, as well as interest from vendors in firearms that could be used for the new deer season.

The details

During the 2025 legislative session, Minnesota passed a law eliminating the shotgun-only zone for deer hunting, allowing the use of legal rifles starting in the 2026 season. However, the law allows individual counties to adopt an ordinance to retain the shotgun-only rule. Vendors at the Willmar Gun Show reported hearing a lot of talk about the potential change, with many customers interested in purchasing rifles but holding off until their county's decision is known.

  • The 2026 deer firearm season will be the first time rifles may be allowed in southern Minnesota counties.
  • The Minnesota Legislature passed a law in 2025 eliminating the shotgun-only zone for deer hunting.

The players

Jason Kruger

Owner of Six Guns Sally, a gun show vendor who said the rifle deer hunting topic was a major conversation at the show and in his hometown of Mountain Lake.

Craig and Sharon Coordes

Owners of Coordes Guns in Lansing, Minnesota, who also heard a lot of talk about the potential rifle hunting change at the gun show and in their shop near Austin.

Paul Magnuson

A resident of Willmar, Minnesota who said the local conversation has focused on what Kandiyohi and neighboring counties will decide regarding the new rifle hunting law.

Darren Haugen

A gun dealer from Comfrey, Minnesota on the Cottonwood and Brown county line, who said people are excited about the potential of using rifles but are waiting to see their county's decision.

Kyle Carlson

Owner of Zero Tolerance Firearms & Fishing in Kandiyohi, Minnesota, who hosts the annual Willmar Gun Show and said the rifle deer hunting change is a "big deal."

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What they’re saying

“It's a really big topic of conversation.”

— Jason Kruger, Owner, Six Guns Sally

“I haven't seen a big uptick yet because we don't know if we can do it.”

— Darren Haugen, Gun Dealer

“It is a big deal. It is.”

— Kyle Carlson, Owner, Zero Tolerance Firearms & Fishing

What’s next

Individual counties in southern Minnesota will decide in the coming months whether to opt out of the new state law allowing rifles for deer hunting during the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The potential shift to allow rifle hunting in Minnesota's traditionally shotgun-only southern counties has generated significant interest and anticipation among hunters, as well as vendors at the Willmar Gun Show. However, the final decision rests with local county governments, leaving many hunters waiting to see if their hunting grounds will be rifle-allowed or remain shotgun-only for the 2026 deer season.