What's new this year in Minnesota's hunting regulations will affect every hunter, but deer hunters are seeing more changes than most. Landmark said one of the main changes this year is a surveillance plan for chronic wasting disease. And Clay County is one of 13 Minnesota counties with a "shotgun zone" this season. During the Clay County Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 21, board members unanimously approved a new area where hunters can use rifles to hunt deer in eastern Clay County. The new zone is based on the boundaries of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources deer permit areas 666 and 239 within Clay County.