Committee hears bill to let bowhunters carry sidearm without concealed-pistol license

Lansing — The House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism on Tuesday heard testimony on House Bill 4855, sponsored by Representative Drew Preston, which would permit law-abiding bowhunters to openly carry a sidearm for personal protection while hunting without holding a concealed pistol license (CPL).

Preston told the committee the bill aims to resolve an inconsistency in Michigan law that allows open carry in many public places but effectively bars carrying firearms in some wildlife areas unless the weapon is used for hunting under a valid license or the person holds a CPL. "This legislation is straightforward. It permits bow hunters to carry a sidearm for personal protection while hunting," Preston said, adding that many hunters are unaware of the restriction and that requiring a CPL places a "financial and time burden" on people who use limited leave time to hunt.

Supporters who testified described close encounters with predators in the Upper Peninsula and argued a sidearm can be a necessary defense for bowhunters. "I never felt so defenseless in my life," said Lois Rangat, who described a January encounter in which a large wolf charged her pop-up blind and she turned away from firing an arrow because she would have had no backup if she missed. Rangat said obtaining a CPL cost roughly $500 in class fees, application and fingerprinting and required taking a full day off work.

Brett Gensack of Delta County described multiple wolf encounters and shared trail-camera photographs he said demonstrate rising predator activity in parts of the Upper Peninsula. "We're not shooting them; that's what happens when they're not managed," Gensack said, urging legislators to consider hunter safety.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the statutory basis for the current restriction and the practical effect of the proposal. Representative Weiss asked why open carry is allowed in many public spaces but restricted when bow hunting; Preston answered that the restriction follows from how the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act is applied in areas frequented by wild animals and the current CPL requirement in those contexts.

The committee read into the record written testimony referenced by Preston, including accounts submitted by two Upper Peninsula hunters. No formal vote was taken on the bill during the hearing; the committee moved on after receiving testimony and letters from stakeholders, including neutral or informational cards from the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

Proponents emphasized the law would not grant unlimited carry: their testimony centered on a narrowly defined allowance for sidearms used for personal protection while actively bow hunting. Opponents did not have an organized, on-the-record opposition at this hearing, but committee members asked questions about training, safety and whether the CPL provides relevant instruction for wildlife encounters.

The bill remained at the testimony stage at the end of the committee session. If advanced, legislative text and any amendments would determine the precise scope of the carry allowance and any implementing rules.