State of Michigan DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor		REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: HOUSE BILL 4554, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC: Muzzleloading deer season; allow smokeless powder

SPONSOR: Representative Calley

CO-SPONSORS: Representatives Stakoe, Hildenbrand, Agema, Opsommer, Hammon and Jones

COMMITTEE: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources

Analysis Done: April 13, 2007

POSITION

The Department opposes the bill.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

The Wildlife Conservation Order which regulates hunting, states, “A person hunting deer with a muzzle-loading firearm during the muzzle-loading and black-powder firearms only season shall only possess or carry afield, or take a deer with a muzzle-loading rifle, muzzle-loading shotgun, or black-powder pistol, loaded with black-powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute.” Current regulations allow for use of a muzzle-loading rifle or a black powder handgun during all firearm deer seasons in the southern Michigan “shotgun” zone.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

House Bill 4554 would allow for use of smokeless powder in muzzleloading deer hunting seasons. The change impacts deer hunting during the December muzzle-loading-only season and all southern Michigan firearm deer hunting. Currently, Michigan offers a firearm deer hunting season in December which is restricted to hunters using muzzle-loading rifles, muzzle-loading shotguns, or black powder handguns loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute. “Muzzle-loading” implies that gun is loaded at the muzzle end of the barrel. Smokeless powder burns faster and can cause serious injury if used in conventional muzzleloaders. Hunter education specifically teaches students not to use smokeless powder in muzzleloading firearms.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

Savage Arms now markets a muzzleloader which can use smokeless powder.

Con

This legislation overrides the Commission’s authority to regulate the taking of game.

Very few muzzleloaders are designed to accommodate smokeless powders and

use of smokeless powder in a conventional muzzleloader can cause a barrel to explode and may cause serious injury.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(b) State

Budgetary:

None

Revenue:

None

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

None

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

None

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date

LED