Feb. 3, 2017

Contact: Rachel Leightner, 517-643-6085 or 517-284-9453

Michele Ketchum, Richard Farris, Jerry Peak named 2017 Pure Michigan Hunt winners

This year's drawing generated over $259,000 for wildlife habitat restoration, improvements

The Department of Natural Resources today announced the three winners of the eighth annual Pure Michigan Hunt. Michele Ketchum of Sparta (Kent County), Richard Farris of Almont (Lapeer County) and Jerry Peak of Crystal (Montcalm County) each won a pocketful of licenses and more than $4,000 worth of hunting gear.

“I didn’t believe it was real. I’ve been applying for the Pure Michigan Hunt for years.” said Ketchum. “I’ve been a small game and deer hunter since I was young, but I’ve never hunted bear or elk before. I’m thrilled for the opportunity.”

Farris expressed it similarly when he said, “I’ve been hunting for over 30 years, mostly small game and waterfowl. I decided to apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt this year, now I can’t believe I have chance at a Michigan elk and black bear.”

Peak said initially he ignored the call from Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife Division chief. “I didn’t answer the call because I didn’t know the number. I let it be for a few days and then eventually called him back – once he said ‘Pure Michigan Hunt’ it really caught my attention.”

Each $5 Pure Michigan Hunt application purchased helps fund wildlife habitat restoration and management in Michigan.

Each winner receives elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, and antlerless deer licenses to be used in 2017. In addition – along with three hunting companions – the winners will get first pick opening morning of the waterfowl season at any of Michigan’s premier managed waterfowl hunt areas. Ketchum, Farris and Peak each also won a package of gear donated by Michigan businesses and organizations:

• Engraved Henry Golden Boy .22 long rifle – Dick Williams Gun Shop of Saginaw
• 12-gauge shotgun – Michigan Ducks Unlimited
• Annual subscription, camouflage hat, current copies of publication and Outdoor Print of the Year – Michigan Outdoor News
• Under Armour pop-up blind – Ameristep of Clio
• Terminator II crossbow – Darton Archery of Hale
• Go-Pro outdoor camera – St. Clair Flats Waterfowlers, Inc.
• Quiver accessories – Kwikee Kwiver of Williamsburg
• Hunting accessories – Harmon Scents of Williamsburg
• Custom waterfowl mount – The Trophy Room of Clare
• Traps, DVDs, calls and more – Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association
• Turkey hunting gear – Michigan Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
• Deer/habitat management package – Michigan Chapter of Quality Deer Management Association
• $100 Cabela’s gift card – Saginaw Field and Stream Club
• Made in the USA quilt-lined Realtree Xtra® jackets and bib overalls – Carhartt of Dearborn
• Shotgun case and hat – Ruffed Grouse Society
• Eberlestock team elk pack – Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Two-day/two-night guided hunt (winner’s choice between guided turkey, deer or bear hunt), including lodging and food – East Lake Outfitters of Essexville
• Custom shooting earplugs and hat – Michigan Hearing of Lake Orion
• Half-day, fully guided, five-bird pheasant hunt – Bear Creek Hunt Club of Clayton
• $100 gas card – Michigan United Conservation Clubs of Lansing
• Sweatshirt and hat – Waterfowl USA of Erie
• Fletching kit – Bohning Archery of Lake City
• Personalized Pure Michigan Hunt hat and engraved knife – Michigan Planners of Garfield Township
• Framed and matted Michigan duck stamp print – Michigan Duck Hunters Association
• Five-year Commemorative Bucks of Michigan membership, including one free trophy mount – Commemorative Bucks of Michigan of Bath
• Scent Web deer scent and Dual Grunter camouflage deer call – Away Hunting Products of Beaverton
• Deer Camp coffee, coffee mugs and assorted scent-elimination gear – Buck Baits of Sterling Heights
• DOEnation T-shirts and baseball caps – DOEnation of Big Rapids
• $100 Visa gift cards – Security Credit Union

The winners officially will be awarded their prizes at the next Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting Thursday, Feb. 9, in Lansing.

The 2017 drawing saw a total of 51,090 applications purchased by 18,581 individuals, generating more than $259,000 that will fund wildlife habitat restoration and improvements in Michigan.

Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt drawing will be available starting March 1. For more information, visit www.mi.gov/pmh.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.