• Elk and bear license applications on sale now through June 1
• Updated bear hunting regulations
• Are you eligible for the DNR hunt waiting list? Registration is open through July 10

Elk and bear license applications on sale now through June 1

You could get two tags in a single year with Pure Michigan Hunt!

Elk and bear license applications are on sale now through June 1. You can increase your odds, or even get two tags in a single year, by picking up Pure Michigan Hunt applications while you're applying for bear and elk.

Previous Pure Michigan Hunt recipient Jerry Peak of Crystal did exactly that! He managed to grab two elk tags that were used to harvest two beautiful, 6-by-6 bull elk. The secret of Jerry’s success? He applied for his elk tag as usual, but he also applied for – and was one of the people drawn for – the Pure Michigan Hunt.

The Pure Michigan Hunt offers a chance at licenses to hunt elk, bear, spring and fall turkey and antlerless deer, and first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area. Plus, a hunting prize package worth thousands goes home with the three lucky hunters. All licenses are transferable – winners can keep licenses for themselves or transfer licenses to a friend or loved one. Peak transferred his Pure Michigan Hunt elk tag to his son so they could hunt together.

Pure Michigan Hunt applications are only $5 each. Remember, you can only buy one elk chance and one bear preference point, and the deadline is June 1. That's not the case with the Pure Michigan Hunt, as there is no limit to the number of applications you can buy through Dec. 31.

For more information about the Pure Michigan Hunt, or to apply, visit Michigan.gov/PMH. For more information or to apply for bear or elk licenses, visit Michigan.gov/Bear or Michigan.gov/Elk. You also can apply for all three anywhere hunting licenses are sold, or online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Updated bear hunting regulations

Be sure to check the 2023 Bear Hunting Regulations digest for changes that apply to the coming 2023 bear hunting seasons. 

Are you eligible for the DNR hunt waiting list? Registration is open through July 10

The Bear and Elk Hunt Transfer Program allows hunters drawn for a bear or elk license to transfer their drawing success to an eligible person they know, or to an individual on the DNR hunt waiting list. Those eligible to receive a hunt through the transfer program are:

• Youth hunters, up to 16 years of age, who applied for the current-year bear and elk drawings and were not selected for a license.
• Any person who has been diagnosed with an advanced illness. An application for a license in the current-year drawing is not required. Advanced Illness is defined by the Public Health Code and requires physician certification of advanced illness.

Avoid giving invasive species a ride by cleaning mud, seeds and debris from vehicles, gear and clothing. Find out how you can take action at Michigan.gov/Invasives.