MI DNR reminds hunters of legal firearms for muzzleloader season

Dec. 5, 2024
Contact: Katie Gervasi, 517-290-0679

The 2024 muzzleloader deer-hunting season begins Friday and ends at the close of shooting hours on Sunday, Dec. 15. When heading out to enjoy your season, remember that legal equipment and other regulations vary based on where you are hunting.

“As the goals of deer management have changed, so have regulations around muzzleloader season,” said Chad Stewart, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist. “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognizes the abundant deer population in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula and is focusing on ways to increase antlerless harvest. The DNR wants hunters to have every opportunity to maximize success and help manage the deer population in southern Michigan.”

In 2020, due to low hunter success during muzzleloader season, the DNR extended the late antlerless firearm deer-hunting season from Dec. 16-Jan. 1 in the Lower Peninsula.

There is also a new extended late antlerless firearm season from Jan. 2-12 in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. A discounted antlerless license for this extended hunting season is available for $5 per license.

Additionally, archery deer-hunting season began Dec. 1 and remains open until Jan. 1. For more details on these seasons, see Michigan.gov/Deer.

Muzzleloader season firearm regulations

Zone 1 (Upper Peninsula)

If you are hunting deer with a muzzleloading firearm during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season in Zone 1, you may only possess, carry afield or harvest a deer with a muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading shotgun or black-powder pistol, loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute.

In the Upper Peninsula, only certified hunters with a disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloader deer-hunting season.

North of the Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

All legal firearms used for harvesting deer during the regular firearm deer-hunting season (Nov. 15-30) may continue to be used during muzzleloader season.

Limited Firearm Deer Zone (Lower Peninsula)

Hunters taking deer in the Limited Firearm Deer Zone may take deer using a crossbow, bow or a firearm that meets the following requirements:

  • Shotguns may have a smooth or rifled barrel and may be of any gauge.
  • A muzzleloading rifle or black powder handgun must be loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute.
  • Conventional (smokeless powder) handguns must be .35-caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capacity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine combined.
  • A .35-caliber or larger rifle must be loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches.
  • A .35-caliber or larger air rifle or pistol must be charged only from an external, high-compression power source.

Hunter orange requirements apply for anyone using a muzzleloader or other firearm during the muzzleloader season. Hunter orange does not apply for individuals using a crossbow or archery equipment to take deer during the muzzleloader season.

Hunters are required to report their deer kills within 72 hours of harvest.

Current regulations and harvest reporting are available through the DNR’s Hunt Fish app, online at Michigan.gov/Deer or with the help of staff at DNR customer service centers.

Hunting

Boone & Crockett: Why Some Entries Get Rejected

By PJ DelHomme 

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On rare occasions, a trophy will be rejected for entry into the Boone and Crockett Club’s big game records. The reasons aren’t as juicy as you might think.

In 2023, the Boone and Crockett Club Records Department, which consists of Kyle Lehr (director) and Jennifer Schwab (assistant director), processed and recorded 1292 entries. They rejected 141 of them for an acceptance rate of 89 percent.

Lehr and Schwab are assisted by an army of Official Measurers (OMs) who volunteer their time and expertise to meet with hunters who think they have an animal with horns, antlers, tusks, or skull large enough to meet the minimum requirement of the record book. These OMs are tasked with scoring the trophy based on the Club’s scoring system. The hunters or the OMs then submit it to Club headquarters in Missoula. Once submitted, Lehr and Schwab go through that paperwork to ensure every entry meets the Club’s basic requirements for entry into the records. Most times, entry packets are complete and make it to the finish line. The hunter’s trophy is ranked and placed among more than 58,000 existing records. Other times, there’s a problem.

“Sometimes we might need a signature, or maybe there are a couple of pieces of missing documentation,” Lehr says. “If a trophy qualifies for the record book, we want it to be in the records. We are happy to follow up with hunters and trophy owners to make sure they get recognition.” Then again, it doesn’t always work out.

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Top Reasons Why Entries Get Rejected

Read more

Hunting

Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Pistols

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to announce the release of two new Ruger® Mark IV™ 22/45™ Lite rimfire pistols. Combining reliability and accuracy with an attractive and updated style, these pistols have a custom pistol look without the custom price.

Chambered for the popular .22 LR, both models are feature-rich and sport a 4.40” threaded cold-hammer forged barrel, adjustable sights, a Picatinny rail and an ambidextrous manual safety. The receiver is machined from aerospace-grade aluminum and is ventilated and lightweight.

The comfortable, precision-molded polymer grip frame incorporates replaceable checkered 1911-style grip panels that allow shooters to customize the look of the pistol. The Mark IV 22/45 Lite is the perfect outdoor companion and can be used for target shooting, plinking, small game hunting or competitive shooting. With one-button takedown, two 10-round magazines, and a 1911-style grip angle, it’s the perfect .22 caliber training pistol.

One pistol features a black receiver, black grip panels, gold trigger and a gold barrel for a look of understated elegance. The other features a champagne-colored receiver, black grip panels, and a black trigger. Read more

Firearms

Bear Creek Arsenal Bolt Action Style Uppers and Rifles in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster

Bear Creek Arsenal is now offering Bolt Action Style Uppers and Rifles compatible with AR-15 lowers, now available in the powerful .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. These new products are designed to seamlessly integrate with AR-15 lowers, providing firearm enthusiasts with the versatility and reliability they have come to expect from Bear Creek Arsenal. The bolt action style offers a unique shooting experience, combining the precision of bolt action with the modularity of the AR-15 platform.

.350 Legend: Known for its impressive ballistics and minimal recoil, the .350 Legend is ideal for hunters, offering superior accuracy and stopping power, making it perfect for medium to large game hunting.

.450 Bushmaster: The perfect heavy-hitting performer, capable of taking down the largest game with ease, the .450 Bushmaster delivers exceptional power and precision, ensuring a reliable and effective shooting experience.

Compatibility: Designed to fit any standard AR-15 lower, these uppers and rifles offer unparalleled flexibility. Read more

Firearms

NSSF Praises Court Decision to Uphold PLCAA

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praised the San Diego County Superior Court’s decision to grant summary judgment in favor of Smith & Wesson, Inc. under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The court decided Tuesday that Smith & Wesson, Inc. is not responsible for the horrendous criminal acts committed by a deranged murderer at the Chabad of Poway, in Poway, Calif., on April 27, 2019.

The PLCAA protects the firearm industry from frivolous lawsuits that attempt to hold firearm businesses liable for the criminal misuse of lawfully sold firearms.

“We are heartened by the court’s decision today correctly interpreting the PLCAA and ruling in favor of Smith & Wesson, Inc. that the criminal liability for the horrific actions of a murderer are the sole responsibility of that individual,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Plaintiffs in this case attempted to hold Smith & Wesson, Inc. responsible for these horrific crimes by alleging that because the firearm could be illegally modified, the company violated federal law. Additionally, plaintiffs alleged Smith & Wesson, Inc.’s advertising caused the murderer to commit his violent crimes. The firearm industry is grateful that the judge found these claims lack legal merit and correctly granted judgment in favor of Smith & Wesson, Inc.”

NSSF earlier in the case filed an amicus brief in support of Smith & Wesson, Inc.

The murderer in this incident was convicted and sentenced by a California state court to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. The sentence carried an additional 121 years to life, plus 16 years as part of a plea agreement. The murderer was also convicted by a federal court and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 30 years.

The PLCAA was signed into law in 2005 by President George W. Bush with broad bipartisan support by Congress. The law was spurred by numerous frivolous lawsuits orchestrated by gun control groups to circumvent Congress and put firearm companies out of business based on the criminal misuse of firearm by remote individuals who lack respect for both life and law. The PLCAA has been repeatedly upheld as Constitutional by federal courts.

Gun Control

Final pheasant releases set for 10 state game areas this month

Over the next few weeks, pheasants will be released on 10 state game/wildlife areas across southern Michigan to conclude the 2024 pheasant release program.

“The pheasant release program had a great regular season this year,” said Adam Bump, Michigan Department of Natural Resources upland game bird specialist. “Hunters enjoyed spending time together in the field, pursuing released birds across all 13 of our regular season release areas. This year, we made the program even more accessible by providing parking lot locations online. I encourage hunters to take advantage of December pheasant hunting at the 10 release areas still open.”

Birds will be released throughout the December pheasant season, offering a great opportunity to get outdoors and experience the hunt.

December release locations Read more

Hunting

GOA, GOF Coalition Files Amicus Brief at SCOTUS in Defense of American Gun Manufacturers

A coalition of Second Amendment groups led by Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States in defense of American firearms manufacturers in their court battle with the Mexican government. Groups that co-signed the brief included Gun Owners of California, the Heller Foundation, Tennessee Firearms Association, and the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

This frivolous case, which Mexico first brought in 2021, is meant to deflect liability—stemming from the violent Mexican drug cartels—onto the nation’s leading firearms manufacturers.

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement: “Mexican officials continue to pass the blame on who bears responsibility for the violence in their streets, but they should stop looking at gun makers and start looking in the mirror. Gun manufacturers bear no blame for the rampant violence committed by the cartels, just like auto manufacturers wouldn’t deserve blame if their cars were the weapon of choice for street gangs.”

Sam Paredes, on behalf of the board for GOF, added: “We hope the Justices will agree with our arguments and make clear that the violence in Mexico is not the fault of American companies. Anything less would open the door to countless frivolous lawsuits across the country and could be the death of American firearm manufacturing as we know it.”

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

Firearms

I Call Bullshit on Biden

By Glen Wunderlich

President Joe Biden had gone on record with a camera in his face saying he would not grant a pardon to his son, Hunter, for the mess he was in.  Hunter eventually pled guilty to tax fraud and gun law violations.  With Joe Biden’s being a lame duck with only 50 days or so remaining in his term as president, he changed his mind and pardoned Hunter.  Or, did he merely change his mind?  That is the question – and, the answer reveals the truth:  He lied!

Without beating a dead (or, near dead) horse, he’s repeatedly lied as to having any knowledge of the millions of dollars Hunter bagged, deposited into over 20 phony shell accounts, then funneled these funds to his family members including the Big Guy.  (If Joe wasn’t the Big Guy, who was?).  All records have been painstakingly verified and sourced by the U.S. Congress in its investigation of the matter; the facts have been made public.

Let’s now get to the point:  When Joe Biden claimed he would not pardon his son, Hunter, he was most certainly lying; he did not merely change his mind.

He was only virtue signaling when he made these statements.  Virtue signaling is an attempt to show others that you are a good person by expressing opinions that will be acceptable to them.

Biden was attempting to appear as a man of principle.  But, what does that mean?  According to my Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language, second edition, an unabridged compilation of 100 years of genuine Webster Dictionaries, printed in the year 1948, here’s what I found.  Principle:  a fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine from which others are derived; a settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; devotion to what is right and honorable as a trait of character.  There’s plenty more, but you get the idea.  Principle is something one stands on, not subject to change flippantly.

Devotion is a strong reference in the meaning of principle.  Joe’s remarks only purported to support previous claims that nobody is above the law.  This was obviously just more virtue signaling.

Biden doesn’t believe what he claims publicly and proves that “a tiger cannot change its stripes.”

I call bullshit!  He lied.

General

Christensen Arms Evoke Series Rifles Now Shipping

The all-new Christensen Arms Evoke Series, the first centerfire rifle under $1,000 by the American-made brand, is now shipping to retailers nationwide. Evoke caters to the needs of hunters and shooters of all types, and is backed by Christensen Arms’ legendary Sub-MOA Guarantee and Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The four unique Evoke configurations represent an opportunity for a wide range of hunters and shooters to experience the quality of Christensen Arms. Like all Christensen Arms rifles, the Evoke delivers an impressive list of premium components, as well as innovative, thoughtful, shooter-friendly features and detail-obsessed engineering suitable for diverse hunting environments.

Available in 11 of the most popular hunting calibers ideal for anywhere from the Southern

whitetail woods to the most remote wilderness camps, the Evoke rifles feature a Christensen Arms Precision Machined Receiver and an adjustable TriggerTech® trigger, ensuring accuracy and consistency with every shot. Additional features include a detachable box magazine, standard Remington 700 Optics Base, a pre-installed optic rail on the Hunter and Precision Models, an integrated Picatinny rail section for accessory attachment, premium RFR-style muzzle brake on a #4 contour stainless steel barrel threaded in 5/8×24, swivel sling stud for enhanced versatility while in the field, and an adjustable cheek piece on select models. Read more

Firearms

Wilson Combat Launches Division 77 Project 1 Pisto

Wilson Combat Launches Division 77 Project 1 Pistol

Wilson Combat proudly unveils Project 1, the inaugural release in the groundbreaking Division 77 series, redefining innovation and performance in firearm design. Created as a proving ground for advanced research and development, Division 77 pays homage to the legacy of Bill Wilson’s 1911 standards set in 1977 while pushing the boundaries of modern weaponry. Project 1 exemplifies this mission, delivering unmatched speed, accuracy, and reliability through cutting-edge features:

  • Innovative Optic Pin System: Seamlessly transition between RMR, RMSC, and DeltaPoint Pro footprints. Rear-mounted optics placement offers unobstructed chamber access for a hassle-free red-dot experience.
  • Precision-Cut Ported Slide, Plus Integrated Compensated Barrel: A ported slide paired with an integrated compensator minimizes recoil, enabling faster target acquisition and greater control.
  • Dynamic Recoil Analysis System (DRAS): Project 1’s performance was fine-tuned using 2,000 pressure data points, capturing every detail of the recoil cycle. DRAS testing ensures peak reliability and precision, setting a new standard in pistol design. The Project 1 features 42% recoil reduction in comparison to our standard X9.
  • Enhanced Ergonomics and Reload Features: Features an integrated competition-flared magwell and precision-machined 18-round base pads for fast, confident reloads in high-stress scenarios.
  • Innovative Cover Plate with Integrated Firing Pin Stop: The newly designed cover plate features a dovetail rear sight and an integrated firing pin stop, creating a movement-free iron sight platform. This ensures seamless transitions between optics and iron sights without the need to re-zero, maintaining zero even after removal and re-installation.

Project 1 represents the forefront of Wilson Combat’s innovation, blending groundbreaking technology with time-tested craftsmanship. This pistol is designed to redefine your shooting experience with unparalleled performance and precision.

To celebrate this launch, the first 100 Project 1 pistols will ship in a custom metal case with a commemorative challenge coin, making them instant collector’s items.

Project 1 is now available for order through select Wilson Combat dealers.

Firearms
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