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PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN

ORDINANCE No. 326
HUNTING AND DISCHARGING WEAPONS IN PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE

ADOPTED 

AMENDING CHAPTER 14 ARTICLE 1
AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE HUNTING AND DISCHARGING WEAPONS IN PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP.

PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP, WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN, HEREBY ORDAINS:

That Article 1 of Chapter 14, Sections 14-5 through 14-10, are amended and sections are added to the Pittsfield Charter Code of Ordinances to read as follows:

Sec. 14-5. Title.
This Ordinance shall hereafter be known and may be cited as the Pittsfield Charter Township "Hunting and Discharging Weapons in Pittsfield Charter Township Ordinance".

Sec. 14-6. Definitions.
Bow means a device for propelling an arrow from a string drawn, held, and released by hand if the force used to hold the string in the drawn position is provided by the archer's muscles.

Crossbow means a weapon consisting of a bow mounted transversely on a stock or frame and designed to fire an arrow, bolt, or quarrel by the release of a bow string controlled by a mechanical or electric trigger.

Firearm means any weapon which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosive. A pneumatic gun, as defined in Section 1 of 1990 PA 319, MCL 123.1101, other than a paintball gun that expels by pneumatic pressure plastic balls filled with paint for the purpose of marking the point of impact, is also considered a firearm for the purpose of this Ordinance.

Hunt and hunting mean to pursue, capture, shoot, kill, chase, follow, harass, harm, rob, or trap a wild animal, or to attempt to engage in such an activity.

Township Event means any event authorized by the Township which includes activity otherwise prohibited by this Ordinance, such as an archery program, the construction and use of a target range on Township property, or other such events as may be implemented by the Township.

Slingshot means a Y-shaped device with an elastic strip attached between the prongs used for projecting a stone or other object.

Wild animal means a mammal, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, or crustacea of a wild nature indigenous to this state or introduced to this state by the Department of Natural Resources or a species determined by the Department of Natural Resources to be of public benefit.

Sec. 14-7. Hunting or discharging weapons on Township property prohibited; exception.

Hunting or discharging firearms, crossbows, bows and arrows, slingshots, or other hunting, shooting, or archery implements on Township property is prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to authorized Township Events.

Sec. 14-8. Discharging firearms within 150 yards of a dwelling prohibited.

An individual shall not discharge a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied building, dwelling, house, residence, or cabin, or any barn or other building used in connection with a farm operation, without obtaining the written permission of the owner, renter, or occupant of the property.

This section does not apply to any otherwise lawful shooting range or target practice area that exists at the time this ordinance is adopted and is operated in compliance with Michigan Department of Natural Resources Generally Accepted Operations Practices for Sport Shooting Ranges.

Sec. 14-9. Hunting; discharging weapons in specific area prohibited.

Hunting for a wild animal or wild bird with a firearm or bow and arrow or the discharge of a firearm or bow and arrow is prohibited within the following described area in the township:
Beginning in the northeast corner of section 1, T3S, R6E; thence southerly on the east township line to the intersection with Interstate 94; thence westerly to the intersection of Interstate 94 and the centerline of Ellsworth Road; thence westerly on the centerline of Ellsworth Road to the centerline of Lohr Road; thence northerly on the centerline of Lohr Road to Interstate 94; thence northwesterly to the north township line in section 6, T3S, R6E; thence easterly on the north township line and continuing easterly to the point of beginning.

Excepted from this described area are all lands situated within the corporate limits of the City of Ann Arbor. This subsection shall not apply to the discharge of firearms at target ranges under permit as may be authorized by the local unit of government, pursuant to Public Act No. 57 of 1995 (MCL 324.41901 et seq.), and Public Act No. 306 of 1969 (MCL 24.201 et seq.)

Sec. 14-10. Determination of violation; seizure.

If a police officer determines that a violation of this ordinance has occurred, the officer may seize any implement used by the offending person, together with any ancillary equipment such as a scope, sling, or cleaning equipment, as evidence of the violation.

Sec. 14-11. Not applicable to Peace Officers or Armed Services.

The prohibition against discharge of firearms made in this Ordinance does not apply to peace officers or members of any branch of the armed forces in the discharge of their proper duties.

Sec. 14-12. Penalty.

A violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $500.00.

Sec. 14-13. Repealer.

Article I of Chapter 4 of the Pittsfield Charter Township Code of Ordinances and all ordinances or parts thereof which are in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed, except that terms defined herein for the purpose of interpretation, administration, and enforcement of this Ordinance shall not act to modify, repeal or otherwise change the definition of any such term as used in other ordinances or laws.

Sec. 14-14. Savings Clause.

The provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or subsection is declared void or inoperable for any reason by any court, it shall not affect any other part or portion hereof other than the part declared void or inoperable.

Sec. 14-15. Adoption and Effective Date.

This Ordinance shall be published in the manner as required by law. Except as otherwise provide by law, this Ordinance shall be effective on the day after final publication.
This Ordinance was duly adopted by the Charter Township of Pittsfield Board at its regular meeting held on the 12th of July, 2017, and was ordered given publication in the manner required by law.

First Reading: June 14, 2017
Adoption: July 12, 2017 
Ordinance Posted: July 12, 2017 
Ordinance Publication: July 16, 2017 
Effective Date: July 17, 2017