County to allow additional deer hunting firearms

Thanks to a decision made by the members of the Waseca County Board of Commissioners during their Feb. 17 meeting, deer hunters in Waseca County this fall will have the opportunity to use any type of firearm legal for the hunt. During a listening session attended by about 50 people the evening of Feb. 5, commissioners had heard from 13 individuals who spoke up on the topic; 10 stated they support allowing rifles in addition to shotguns.

 

The question was at issue because of a statewide ordinance issued in 2025 which declares that, beginning with the 2026 season, deer hunters will be able to use any type of firearm legal for the hunt unless individual counties issue their own ordinances limiting the allowed weapons. On Feb. 17, commissioners decided not to create a local ordinance.

 

The topic had been touched on repeatedly over the past several meetings as commissioners investigated questions surrounding safety, enforceability, and steps taken in nearby counties.

Commissioners also heard from Emmie Scheffler of the LeSueur County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD), who is the administrator of the “One Watershed, One Plan” program for the Cannon River Watershed. Scheffler revealed the area covered by the plan extends across eight counties, but only 5.3% of its territory–the northeast one-fifth of Waseca County’s total area–is included.

 

Scheffler’s summary related that the majority of the funding for the program comes from state agencies, but that counties pay dues based on the amount of land they have within the watershed: Waseca County pays $1,500 yearly. At the current time, the watershed has well over $1 million on reserve, but Scheffler said amounts are being spent down as more and more programs are implemented. Types of projects used to protect water quality include quite a range, from funding erosion control to testing water quality in area lakes to sealing unused industrial wells.

 

Scheffler stated the agency also offers numerous webinars on its website covering topics like shoreline septic systems, supporting pollinators, and freshwater wildlife. An upcoming workshop will provide information important to realtors.

 

Under the plan, the water quality in four Waseca County lakes will be tested this year.

Anyone looking for more information will find the watershed plan at https://www.lesueurcounty.gov › Cannon-River-One-Watershed-One-Plan.

 

Commissioners accepted the updated All Hazard Mitigation Plan presented by county emergency management director Denise Wright. The 70-some page plan must be updated every five years and is required before property owners within the county can be eligible for emergency funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

The plan summarizes resources and agencies which can be accessed in case of situations including floods, electrical failure, severe storms and tornadoes, drought, wildfire, extreme heat or cold, and more.

 

County engineer Jim Kollard presented what he referred to as “the first of many summer construction contracts” for approval. This one entailed seal coating to take place on about 20 miles of county roads and included some “piggy-backing” for projects to be performed on roads maintained by Woodville Township and the city of Waseca.

 

Commissioners approved about $524,000 for the maintenance: scheduled for seal coating are sections of County Roads (CR) 5, 6, 29, and 55; County State Aid Highways (CSAH) 33, 43, 45; and parts of Bunker Drive in Waseca and Highlands Drive in Woodville Township.