State Rep. Dave Prestin this week announced his plan to allow Michigan bow hunters to carry a pistol with them for personal protection.

“Hunters can face many dangers in the woods, especially from close encounters with predator species like bears, wolves, and cougar,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “Bow hunters are very limited in their ability to respond if one of these animals becomes aggressive and decides to attack them.”

Just last year, a young bow hunter in the Northern Lower Peninsula was attacked by a black bear with three cubs. He was able to hold the bear off and was later rescued two hours later. He then required 40 stitches in his leg from an injury sustained during the attack.

Under Michigan law, bow hunters are only permitted to carry a pistol if they possess a valid Concealed Pistol License (CPL), whether concealed or not. Gun owners who are otherwise legally able to open-carry their handguns are prohibited from doing so once they walk into the woods with a bow.

“My plan would allow bow hunters to legally carry their sidearm into the woods to defend themselves,” Prestin said. “This would not allow hunters to use firearms to take game but would allow them to use the weapon if faced by an aggressive animal. This bill is just simply about safety, self-defense, best practices, and keeping our hunters safe in the woods.”

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