2008 House Bill 5741 (Narrow crossbow hunting exception )

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Introduced by Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D) on February 14, 2008, to define specific disabilities, and require certain physical exams, for individuals who apply for a license to use a crossbow in hunting under a disability exemption to the crossbow hunting ban. Also, to allow crossbow use by anyone age 69 and above.
- Referred to the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, And Natural Resources Committee on February 14, 2008.
  - Reported in the House on June 17, 2008, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
- Substitute offered in the House on June 19, 2008, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that repeals the ban on hunting with a crossbow. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on June 19, 2008.
- Substitute offered by Rep. Darwin Booher (R) on June 19, 2008, to return the bill to its original configuration, which would define specific disabilities, and require certain physical exams, for individuals who apply for a license to use a crossbow in hunting under a disability exemption to the crossbow hunting ban. Also, to allow crossbow use by anyone age 69 and above. The substitute failed in the House by voice vote on June 19, 2008.
- Substitute offered by Rep. Terry Brown (D) on June 19, 2008, to allow a non-disabled person to use a crossbow to hunt deer only in the December 2008 and 2009 bow hunting seasons. The substitute failed in the House by voice vote on June 19, 2008.
Passed in the House (94 to 14) on June 19, 2008, to repeal the law against using a crossbow during bow hunting season. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the Senate on June 24, 2008.
- Referred to the Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee on June 24, 2008.
  - Reported in the Senate on October 15, 2008, with the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation.
- Referred to the Senate Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation on October 15, 2008.

Most Recent Comments

1) Re: 2008 House Bill 5741 (Narrow crossbow hunting exception ) [by S2 on December 13, 2008]

Limiting the type of weapon is silly and potentially limits the license revenue that otherwise may have been spent by someone who wishes to hunt with a cross bow. As to the gyrations regarding the dates and timing of seasons for various weapons, the only issue it seems to me is that there be a season for shorter range weapons that allows hunters to wear camoflage and one for long range weapons where hunter's orange is appropriate. Separate seasons should only be based on that safety issue. Seems like handgun, bow, cross bow could all be one season.

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2) Re: Crossbow Hunting [by bbswitchback on December 10, 2008]

I have bow hunted in Michigan for 40 years with everything from a stick bow to a Mathews Switchback. I also travel each year to Ohio to hunt with both a crossbow and a compound bow. In Ohio they sell more crossbows than regular bows and they have much better hunting than we do here at home and bigger bucks also. The problem with our deer herds here have nothing to do with the weapons we can or can not use. I think this is another issue like bear hunting. I love to hunt bears over bait and would never hunt behind dogs but I will defend your right to do so because we all should be able to enjoy the outdoors and whatever sport we choose as long as it is legal The crossbow deals with many of the same restrictions as the regular bow as far as distance you can shot. The only reason I can see for not wanting them legalized is for the guys who want no one else to hunt as it takes away from thier own selfish needs. I think it will open up hunting to people who may not be able to pull enough poundage or can not hold long enough to get a shot. I believe anything that gets one more person in the woods hunting is a good thing for all of us.

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3) Crossbow Hunting [by Anonymous Citizen on October 30, 2008]
I am in favor of passing the bill to open crossbow hunting to all hunters during bow season. Their is very little advantage over a compound if any. They are limited in distance just like a stick bow.
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