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(AP file photo)

LANSING, MI -- Michigan will ban the use of drones to hunt, fish or harass hunters under new laws signed Tuesday by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Public Acts 12 and 13 of 2015, which take effect in 90 days, will officially prohibit hunters from using an unmanned aerial device or water-based version to take game or fish.

Individuals will also be prohibited from using drones to interfere with someone who is lawfully hunting or fishing.

"Hunting and fishing are some of Michigan's most revered pastimes, and a major driver of our economy thanks to continued participation from residents and out-of-state visitors," Snyder said in a statement.

"Using electronic devices to manipulate the sport is disruptive and a misuse of the natural resources we are blessed with."

Under the new laws, using a drone harass hunters will be a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of between $500 and $1,000. Subsequent violations could lead to up to a year behind bars.

Hunters who use a drone to take game will be subject to similar misdemeanor penalties, although jail time and fines can vary depending on the type of animal that is killed.

The new laws will "protect the integrity of the sport," according to Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, who sponsored one of the bills.

There have been no documented instances in Michigan, but hunting advocates are concerned that activists could use drones to disrupt lawful activity.

People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals, for instance, has begun selling "Air Angel" drones, encouraging users to monitor hunters for potentially illegal behavior, such as drinking while in possession of a firearm.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, said in a statement that the laws will ensure that "those who routinely attack hunting are not able to harass or attack hunters for no reason other than to promote their own anti-hunting agendas."

States including Alaska, Montana, and Colorado have reportedly banned the use of drones in hunting, according to a review by the non-partisan House Fiscal Agency. Other states cover drones in existing hunting regulations.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.