The Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Michigan has expanded the regulations regarding crossbow hunting in an attempt to attract hunters. Hunting is a popular sport in the state and the minimum age for crossbow hunting was recently lowered from twelve to ten. The decision was made after a 2009 post-hunting season mail survey revealed that archery deer hunting activities increased after liberalization of other crossbow regulations.
Hunters ages ten or older will now be permitted to use both crossbows and other archery equipment. People who hunt with a crossbow must have a hunting license and a free crossbow stamp. Disabled hunters who already have a crossbow permit are not required to get this stamp. Hunters can obtain the crossbow application form on the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment Web site.
There are specific guidelines regarding when and where a crossbow is legal to use for hunting purposes. In the Lower Peninsula area of the state, hunters are now permitted to use crossbows during firearm and archery seasons. In the Upper Peninsula, only disabled hunters may use a crossbow during the late archery or muzzleloader seasons.
Other changes to crossbow regulations include the permission to use modified bows when and where crossbows are legal and elimination of the maximum velocity for crossbows. The Wildlife Conservation Order’s three year sunset provision regarding use of a crossbow was also eliminated. Another change includes the ability for hunters who are temporarily disabled to apply for a temporary crossbow permit.
Some of the regulations have not changed from previous years. Hunters must be dressed in hunter orange when they are hunting deer during the youth firearm, November firearm, and early antlerless deer seasons. During archery deer seasons, bow hunters may not carry a firearm unless they have a concealed pistol license. The goal of the relaxed regulations is to increase hunter participation in the archery form of deer hunting and maintain or increase the number of crossbow hunters each year.
Source: Freep.com. State lessening restrictions on crossbow hunting.
Related posts:
- Michigan Has New Deer Hunting Regulations The deer hunting season in Michigan began on Friday, October 1. For hunters, this is akin to Christmas morning. New hunter-friendly regulations should help to decrease...
- Archery Deer Hunting Season Began Sept. 11 In GA Georgia hunters look forward to the opening of deer season each year. September 11 marked the opening of the 2010 archery deer hunting season in the...
- Illinois Fall Hunting Season Begins On Wednesday, the Illinois fall hunting season begins with dove and early Canada goose hunting. After that, the hunting seasons will begin to follow one after...
- 2011 Deer Hunting Proposed Changes Irk Some Hunters In Indiana The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is proposing changes to the rules regarding deer hunting seasons. An Indystar.com columnist wrote about information contained in a...
- Deer Archery Season In Massachusetts Begins Monday The six-week deer archery season in Massachusetts begins on Monday. It is part of the increasing attempt to control the growth of deer herds within the...
- Date, Zone Changes Benefit Florida Deer Hunters In Florida, hunting season dates within wildlife management areas do not sync with zonal hunting dates for private lands. By 2011, hunting season will align more...
- Three CA Arrests For Alleged Illegal Hunting Of Deer Authorities arrested three men from Northern California, alleging they were hunting deer illegally. The three individuals, Raymond Nicolini (age 23), Steven Graham (23), and Timothy Heflin...
- No Deer Hunting On Block Island, Says Land Trust The Land Trust on Block Island, Rhode Island, recently declared that the island will not be opened to deer hunters. This will make it much harder...
- October 9 Begins Kentucky Youth Deer Hunting Season The firearms Youth-Only season in Kentucky could not have much better timing. This season for deer runs from October 9-10. Conditions are favorable, according to Kentucky...
- Online Deer Registration In Kansas The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is the first state to introduce deer registration using photo documentation. This new process is convenient for Kansas...