November brings us a new Do 1 Thing tip. This month we will discuss emergency supplies. Our goal is to remember important items that may be overlooked when leaving your home in a disaster.

An emergency is easier to handle when you have prepared ahead of time. Put together an emergency kit with important items to keep at home, and a go bag with items you will need to take with you if you evacuate. Think about what you and your family would need to take with you if you evacuate. Think about what you and your family would need in a disaster. You need to make kits for your home, car, or workplace. Emergencies can happen everywhere.

I will be discussing what supplies you may need and who to make these kits for in this month’s articles.

With gun deer season coming up next week, I want to finish off some hunter safety tips to ensure a safe season.

Bringing Equipment Afield During Deer Seasons:

 

Archery Deer Seasons

During the archery deer seasons (Oct 1- Nov 14, Dec1-Jan 1), it is illegal to carry afield a pistol, revolver, or other firearm while bow hunting for deer.

Exception: This prohibition does not apply to pistols carried under authority of a concealed pistol license or properly carried under authority of a specific exception from the requirement of a concealed pistol license. However, a concealed pistol license does not authorize the individual to use the pistol to take game except as provided by law.

 

Nov. 10-14

It is unlawful to carry afield or transport any rifle (including rimfire) or shotgun if you have buckshot, slug, ball loads, or cut shells.

Exception: You may transport a firearm to your deer camp or to a target range during this period if the firearm is properly transported. A resident who holds a fur harvester license may carry a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm while hunting furbearers or checking a trap line during the open season for hunting or trapping furbearing animals. You also may target shoot on your own property provided there is no attempt to take game.

 

Firearm Deer Season

It is illegal for a person taking or attempting to take game to carry or possess afield a centerfire or muzzleloading rifle, a crossbow, a bow and arrow, a centerfire or black powder handgun, or a shotgun with buckshot, slug or ball loads or cut shells, unless you have in your possession a current year deer, deer combo, or antlerless deer license for the appropriate DMU, with an unused kill tag issued in your name, or a current year deer, deer combo, or antlerless deer license for the appropriate DMU issued in your name with an unused Deer Management Assistance (DMA) permit kill tag or an unused managed deer hunting permit.

 

Muzzleloading Deer Seasons

During the December muzzleloading seasons (Zones 1&2, Dec 5-14, Zone 3, Dec 5-21), muzzleloading deer hunters can carry afield and use only a crossbow (except in the Upper Peninsula) or a muzzleloading rifle, a muzzleloading shotgun, or a black powder handgun loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute. Only certified hunters with a disability may use a crossbow or a modified bow during the muzzleloading season in the Upper Peninsula.

 

Statewide Handgun Regulations

The rules listed below may not apply to those having a concealed pistol license (CPL) or specifically exempt by law from a CPL and carrying their handgun in accordance with their license or exemption.

• A person must be at least 18 years of age to hunt with or possess a handgun.

• Handguns cannot be borrowed or loaned to another person other than provided for under the CPL.

• While in the field, handguns must be carried in plain view.

• Carrying a handgun in a holster in plain view is permitted.

• You may transport your registered handguns while en route to and from your hunting or target shooting area; however, handguns, including BB guns larger than .177 caliber and all pellet guns, must be unloaded, in the barrel and magazines, and in a closed case designed for the storage of firearms and cannot be readily accessible to any occupant of the vehicle.

• It is a crime for certain felons to possess irearms, including rifles and shotguns, in Michigan.

 

Rob Herbstreith is a Michigan State Police trooper. Questions or comments can be emailed to TrooperRob53@yahoo.com