Representative Bill Preston introduced House Bill 48 55 to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism, saying the measure "permits bow hunters to carry a sidearm for personal protection while hunting." Preston told the panel the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act has a carve-out that effectively requires a concealed pistol license (CPL) to carry a sidearm in areas frequented by wildlife, and the bill would allow bow hunters to open-carry a sidearm without obtaining a CPL.

Preston said the law creates "a lack of public awareness" and an "unnecessary burden" because obtaining a CPL requires time off work and fees. He told committee members that CPL training often lacks wildlife-specific instruction and therefore provides limited value for hunters who already complete hunter safety courses.

Supporters who testified described close encounters with predators in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Lois Rangat, a lifelong hunter from the UP, described a recent incident in a ground blind when a wolf closed to within 15 yards. "I've never felt so defenseless in my life," Rangat told the committee, saying she later obtained a CPL but that the process cost her roughly $500 and required taking time off work. Another hunter from Delta County described multiple trail-cam photos and incidents of wolves killing domestic turkeys and dogs, and said predator encounters are reducing local outdoor recreation and income.

Witnesses representing Michigan Gun Owners, Michigan Open Carry and Michigan Bowhunters expressed support or indicated they were likely supportive; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs provided neutral or no-position cards. Committee members asked about the statutory background and why open carry is effectively restricted for some hunters; Preston explained the existing law and said many hunters are unaware of the restriction.

No committee vote on HB 48 55 was recorded during the session; the committee took testimony and entered written statements from two Upper Peninsula hunters into the record. Chair Martin closed the testimony portion and moved on to other bills.

The committee heard both individual safety-focused accounts and broader claims about predator increases in parts of the state. The testimony included differing cost estimates for obtaining a CPL: Preston said a CPL "cost at least 200" (dollars), while testimony from Lois Rangat cited approximately $500 in combined fees and related costs. The bill's sponsor framed the proposal as aligning hunting-area rules with general open-carry rules elsewhere in the state.

If the committee advances HB 48 55, members will need to decide whether to accept an exemption for bow hunters and whether to include any training or certification conditions; no such conditions were specified in testimony during this hearing.

Provenance: First related remarks begin at 00:05:23 (committee takes up HB 48 55). Final related remarks in the hearing record appear at 00:36:34 when the chair closed testimony on HB 48 55.