New crossbow rules for Michigan (full inclusion)

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

Last year they revised the original laws that said only those with disabilities could use them (with a permit).

Here is what they were changed to last year:

Crossbows are legal to use:

• during any season in which a firearm may be used, for both big and small game statewide.
  
• by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting deer season statewide.
  
• by any hunter age 12 and older during the bow hunting season in Zone 3 (Southern Lower Peninsula).
  

Hunters must be at least 12 years of age to use a crossbow. Youth, 10 and 11, may not use a crossbow. Crossbows used for hunting are restricted to a velocity of no more than 350 feet per second.

Here are the changes the were passed last week :

Crossbow Hunting Regulations Expanded for Hunters Statewide

Crossbow regulation changes expanding opportunities for hunters ages 10 and up statewide have been approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and are effective immediately, Department of Natural Resources and Environment officials announced today.

The crossbow regulation changes include the following:

- Lowering the minimum age for crossbow use from 12 to 10 years of age statewide

- Expanding the use of crossbows to all legal hunters during all archery and firearm seasons statewide, except in the Upper Peninsula, where crossbow use will remain prohibited during the late archery and muzzleloader seasons, unless the hunter is disabled

- Allowing the use of modified bows where crossbows are legal

- Including a temporary crossbow permit for hunters with temporary disabilities

- Eliminating a provision that limited the maximum bolt velocity for crossbows

- Eliminating the 3-year sunset provision for the use of the crossbow in the affected section of the Wildlife Conservation Order

Hunters using crossbows will still be required to obtain a free crossbow stamp. The stamp allows DNRE staff to monitor and survey crossbow hunters to determine the effect the crossbow regulations have on hunter recruitment, retention and harvest. Results of the DNRE's mail survey conducted after the 2009 hunting season indicated that participation in archery deer hunting increased after crossbow regulations were liberalized.

I had planned on getting a new compound, and I still will, but I'll be getting something a lot less expensive now so that I can pick up a crossbow as well.