(1) Except as otherwise provided in a department order authorized under section 40107 for a specified animal, a person shall not use an artificial light in taking game or in an area frequented by animals; throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light in a field, woodland, or forest while having a bow or firearm or other weapon capable of shooting a projectile in the person's possession or under the person's control unless otherwise permitted by law. A licensed hunter may use an artificial light 1 hour before and 1 hour after shooting hours while in possession of any unloaded firearm or bow and traveling afoot to and from the licensed hunter's hunting location.

    (2) Except as otherwise provided in a department order authorized under section 40107, a person shall not throw, cast, or cause to be thrown or cast, the rays of an artificial light from December 1 to October 31 between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. for the purpose of locating animals. Except as otherwise permitted by law or an order of the department, from November 1 to November 30, a person shall not throw, cast, or cause to be thrown or cast, the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light for the purpose of locating animals. This subsection does not apply to any of the following:

    (a) A peace officer while in the performance of the officer's duties.

    (b) A person operating an emergency vehicle in an emergency.

    (c) An employee of a public or private utility while working in the scope of his or her employment.

    (d) A person operating a vehicle with headlights in a lawful manner upon a street, highway, or roadway.

    (e) A person using an artificial light to identify a house or mailbox number.

    (f) The use of artificial lights used to conduct a census by the department.

    (g) A person using an artificial light from November 1 to November 30 on property that is owned by that person or by a member of that person's immediate family.

    (3) The operator of a vehicle from which the rays of an artificial light have been cast in a clear attempt to locate game shall immediately stop the vehicle upon the request of a uniformed peace officer or when signaled by a peace officer with a flashing signal light or siren from a marked patrol vehicle.