The police department frequently receives questions in regards to hunting and the discharge of firearms within the City of Norton Shores. The following information provides ordinances and state law that describes where hunting and discharging a firearm is and is not allowed.
City Ordinance 22-1 (b) 4 prohibits the following:
Discharge any firearm, air rifle, air pistol or pellet gun or hunt with any firearm, air rifle, air pistol or pellet gun in the city, except when lawfully acting in the defense of persons or property or the enforcement of law, or at a duly established range the operation of which has been approved by the city council and upon recommendation of the chief of police; however, this section shall not apply to lawful hunting or target practice conducted in this area within the following boundaries:
The east line of Henry Street extended south to the southern boundary of the city from Henry Street extended east to Harvey Street; the west line of Harvey Street from the southern boundary of the city north to Sternberg Road; The south line of Sternberg Road from Harvey Street west to Grand Haven Road; The east line of Grand Haven Road south from Sternberg Road to Mt. Garfield Road; and The south line of Mt. Garfield Road west from Grand Haven Road to Henry Street;
The discharge of any firearm, air rifle, air pistol or pellet gun or bow or hunt with any firearm, air rifle, air pistol or pellet gun or bow on City owned property is prohibited. Bow hunting and target practicing is allowed within the City limits on private property owned by the hunter or with written permission from the property owner.
Firearm Safety Zone:
All hunters must also abide by all applicable State laws, including the prohibition of hunting within the “Firearm Safety Zone”. No person, including archery and crossbow hunters, may hunt or discharge a firearm, crossbow or bow in a safety zone, or shoot at any wild animal while animal or while bird within a safety zone, without the written permission of the owner or occupant of such safety zone. Safety zones are all area within 150 yards (450 feet) of an occupied building, house, cabin, or any barn or other building used in a farm operation. The safety zone applies to hunting only. It does not apply to indoor or outdoor shooting ranges, target shooting, law enforcement activities or discharge of firearms, crossbows or bows for any non-hunting purpose.
Shotgun Zone:
In addition to the above, the City of Norton Shores is located within the “Shotgun Zone” established by the Department of Natural Resources. Hunters are prohibited from utilizing high powered rifles, but may use the following weapons in this zone: Shotguns, muzzle loading rifle or black powder handgun, or a conventional (smokeless powder) handgun.
Please contact NSPD at 231-733-2691 with any questions.
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