October 3, 2008, Canton, MI Changes made last year to Cantons ordinance on hunting restrictions remain in effect for the 2008 hunting season.  These changes came about after Canton officials filed a unsuccessful request with the Department of Natural Resources to ban hunting altogether in Canton. 

In Canton, hunting areas are classified as closed or restricted.  In areas designated as closed, hunting is prohibited.  This includes the entire eastern side of Canton, and a couple small areas in northwestern Canton.  In the majority of western Canton, hunting has been designated as restricted, with two different types of restrictions.  In a small portion of the northwestern corner of Canton, hunting with, or the discharge of a shotgun loaded with shot not larger than No. 6 shot, is permitted from October 20 to March 2.  For the majority of the western side, hunting with a firearm is unlawful except as follows: 

• Hunting with a shotgun
• Hunting with a rim fire rifle or handgun, .22 caliber or smaller
• Hunting with a conventional (smokeless power) handgun single- or multiple-shot  using a straight walled cartridge only
• Hunting with a muzzle loading rifle, shotgun, or black powder handgun
• Discharge of a firearm for target shooting while using a recognizable target

In open and restricted areas, verbal permission from the property owner is required for hunting to be permitted. Additionally, Michigans Safety Zone state law states that a person will not hunt or discharge a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied building, dwelling, house, residence, cabin, barn or any other type of building used in conjunction with farm operations, without obtaining written permission of the owner, renter or occupant of the property.  Careless and reckless discharge of a firearm is a misdemeanor, punishable by 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Canton Police Department will continue to strictly enforce all state and local hunting ordinances for the 2008 hunting season.  A map of Canton detailing the closed and restricted hunting areas is attached, and is also available from the clerks office of the Canton Administration Building, 1150 S. Canton Center Road.
 
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