Michigan Approves Use of Air-Powered Bows for Hunting
Hunters in Michigan will soon be able to hunt with air-powered bows thanks to legislation approved last Wednesday, September 30. House Bill 4332 is a step in the right direction for hunter’s rights and allows people to use air-powered bows during firearm season, while hunters with certain disabilities could also use them during the bowhunting seasons.
Republican State Representative Beau LaFave of Iron Mountain, who sponsored the legislation, is advocating for the change, hoping it will keep hunters active longer as well as get new hunters with disabilities into the field. The technology of an air-powered bow allows users to handle the weapon safely with one hand, which helps those who have birth defects like himself, along with handicapped hunters and military service members who were wounded in combat.
“Technology has advanced and can help hunters with physical limitations more than ever before,” LaFave said. “Michigan has a multitude of hunting options, but for those with less than two perfectly-functional hands, there is no realistic and legal opportunity to hunt during bow season.”
“We are extremely proud of Mr. LaFave and his motivation to get this passed”, said Steve Upham, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for Velocity Outdoor. “Air-powered bows such as the Benjamin Airbow are great options to help increase the number of hunters that have been declining over the last few years.”
LaFave is an avid hunter and was born without part of a leg and only has full use of one arm. He said the addition of air-powered bows would help hunters with birth defects like himself, along with handicapped hunters and military service members who were wounded in combat, enjoy hunting.
LaFave’s plan received overwhelming bipartisan support from the House and the Senate, and will now move on to Gov. Whitmer, who can sign it into law or veto the legislation.
“We’re losing hunters year after year,” LaFave said. “This technology will keep more hunters in the field longer, reinvigorate hunters that can’t hunt due to injury or disability, increase exposure to Michigan’s great outdoors, and provide an opportunity for those who can’t operate a crossbow.”
Jeremy Mallette is co-founder of International Sportsman. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has spent more than a decade in the outdoor industry, from hiking and camping to silencers and hunting. His father taught him to shoot at age six, and he received his first firearm at age eight — a 1942 Colt Commando .38 special revolver. He enjoys yearly trips to Kansas for pheasant hunting, spending time with his children at the deer lease, and collecting unique firearms.