The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognized the 2023 Pure Michigan Hunt winners – Richard Austin and Nathan Whitmore from southwest Michigan and Robert E. Beaudry from the Upper Peninsula – during Thursday's meeting of the Natural Resources Commission at Lansing Community College’s west campus.

The trio each will receive licenses to hunt elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, and antlerless deer and will have the first pick at a managed waterfowl area for a reserved hunt. The winners collected their prize packages, made possible by the program's generous sponsors. The 2023 Pure Michigan Hunt sponsors include:

• Ducks Unlimited – Michigan Chapter.
• National Wild Turkey Federation.
• National Deer Association.
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
• Michigan Duck Hunters Association.
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
• Michigan Outdoor News.
• Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers.
• Bear Creek Hunt Club.
• Hearing Life.
• Saginaw Field & Stream Club.
• St. Clair Flats Waterfowlers, Inc.
• Buck Baits.
• Commemorative Bucks of Michigan.
• Hangry Brand.
• Holland Doctors of Audiology.

“Sales of Pure Michigan Hunt applications raise essential funding to preserve and enhance Michigan's diverse wildlife habitats, thanks to the continued support of sponsors and participants,” said Pure Michigan Hunt program lead Eric Hilliard. “We set two new records during the 2022 sales year, with more than 27,000 applicants purchasing nearly 77,000 applications.”

In addition to record revenue generated for wildlife, this year's competition was especially noteworthy for the first-ever winner from the U.P.

Pure Michigan Hunt applications for the January 2024 drawing are on sale through Dec. 31. Applications are $5 each, and there is no limit to the number you can buy. More information, including how to purchase applications as a gift, is available at Michigan.gov/PMH.