Michigan has long had the obnoxious "shotgun zone" south of Clare because the housing density, even in rural areas, is much higher south of that latitude than most areas north of it. Unfortunately the average deer hunter here is typically of a lower level of skill and sportsmanship than the average hunter of any other game animal, so we have some rather oppressive hunting laws specific to deer hunting. I say this as a rural landowner, licensed hunter, and part-time farmer. The problems are worst, by far, in the exurbs outside of metro Detroit. My wife grew up about an hour from Detroit, on private land surrounded by a very large state game area, and it was unreasonably dangerous during deer season. (Also just unpleasant with literally hundreds of hunter's cars lining the sides of a road that, for most of the year, gets only a few cars an hour.)
Michigan already prohibits hunting deer, with a firearm, within 200 yards of any residence unless you have written permission of the owner. If that were observed it would help a lot. But... anyway, the prohibition on most centerfire rifles in the south part of the state probably has a meaningful benefit for safety, since people otherwise would usually use a shotgun, with the projectile falling to ground very quickly if a smoothbore. Of course rifled shotguns are also allowed, and with the best sabot slugs you basically have centerfire rifle ballistics, as you would with something like a .460 S&W revolver. So the limitation is not as limiting as it might be, if you're willing spend lots of money on a specialized firearm not useful for much other than deer hunting.
All that said, I don't see that the cartridges allowed under this test rule present any more long-distance danger than the best sabot slugs, or something like a .460 S&W, and most people will be more accurate with a carbine than a rifled shotgun or mega-revolver.
My guess is lower Michigan isn't much different from Ohio as to terrain and most shots will be under 100 yards. Any good 357 or 44 Magnum lever gun would likely be a good choice. I liked the 44 Magnum because I also wore a S&W Model 29 and the cartridge was more than adequate for whitetail deer around here.
.44 Magnum would be my choice. Easy to find, moderately priced, and powerful enough for our deer at realistic ranges. Terrain varies a lot, but most shots are at 100 yards and less.
