Board enacts ordinance allowing regulated hunting at Chain of Lakes County Park

Stearns County commissioners enacted an update to the county parks ordinance to permit regulated hunting at Chain of Lakes County Park, the board decided Oct. 5.

Parks Director Ben Anderson said the ordinance revision is largely housekeeping and intended to add rules specific to the newly acquired 250-acre Chain of Lakes County Park south of Cold Spring. The county accepted the parcel in 2022 with Outdoor Heritage Fund conditions that the land remain open to hunting and protect wetland, shoreline and wildlife habitat.

Tom Poser, natural resources technician, described three major provisions for Chain of Lakes: a required Stearns County Parks hunting permit (available in a paper box at park entrances and online), a restriction that only fine-shot shotguns and archery be used for hunting in the park and signed no-firearm zones including a 250-foot buffer from dwellings and a culturally significant site where firearms discharge is prohibited. "Individuals hunting at Chain Of Lakes will be required to have a Stearns County Parks hunting permit," Poser said.

John Miley, director of the Stearns Conservation District and a partner on the land-acquisition effort, commended county staff and partners for aligning the project with Outdoor Heritage Fund goals. Commissioners discussed enforcement, trail access during hunting season and the county’s plan to post reflective signage and provide geo-referenced maps for hunters to confirm buffer zones.

Commissioner Persky moved to enact the ordinance; Commissioner Clark seconded the motion. The board approved the ordinance on a voice vote.

Staff said the park commission had held public input meetings and recommended the ordinance without changes; no additional public comment was received before the meeting. Staff will monitor permit use, signage and trail safety during the first hunting seasons and may revisit buffer language or operational details after implementation.