Michigan Bill to Bring Hunter Safety Classes Into Schools

If Michigan bill passes, public schools can offer hunter safety programs for grades 6 through 12. (Photo by Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

A Michigan bill that would give public schools the option to offer hunter safety programs for grades 6 through 12 passed in the Michigan House earlier this month.

According to The Daily Mining Gazette, House Bill 4285 passed with overwhelming support, 101-7. State Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton), a supporter of the bill, issued a release regarding its passage.

“Hunting heritage runs deep in the Upper Peninsula,” Bohnak said. “However, in recent years, fewer and fewer people have taken up the tradition and become hunters. If we can equip students with the training they need to be hunters, maybe we can reignite a love of the outdoors in kids throughout the U.P. and across Michigan.”

The bill creates an elective firearm safety program available to all schools with the program being adopted by the Michigan Department of Education in consultation with the Michigan DNR. Those participating in the course will be taught proper usage and handling of firearms, maintenance and cleaning of firearms, an understanding of different types of firearms and safe hunting practices.

DNR certified hunter-education instructors will teach the course, which can be offered as part of physical education or an optional extracurricular class. Students can be excused from attending the class without penalty by their own request or their parents’ or guardians’ request. Firearms or ammunition would not be brought into a school building as part of the program.

Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) is another supporter of the bill, and says it provides an opportunity for more students to gain access to hunter safety.

“The U.P., I think we got the best-case scenario because we have sportsmen groups from east to west and north to south, and the majority of them take care of the training out at the clubs,” Markkanen said. “They have ranges out there, and they do it safely, and get the kids through the class. [In] downstate Michigan, that’s not always the case. So, we wanted all kids to have options through schools, to get trained up and get their gun safety permit and be able to go out and hunt.”

Markkanen referred to the dropping numbers of hunters throughout Michigan and says the program could be a way to get students more interested in the outdoors.

“We want numbers to go up across the U.P. It’s good for the environment and the wildlife. Money gets spent and it gets families together over generations — grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins together. Hunting camps used to be a big part of the social fabric across the U.P., and they’re starting to fade. And we want to bring it back.”