Michigan: Bear and elk license drawing results posted; leftover licenses on sale in July

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that the results of the 2016 bear and elk hunting license drawings have been posted at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

Bear

A total of 6,896 bear licenses were available during the bear application period (May 1-June 1). A total of 99 leftover bear licenses are still available in the Bergland Management Unit for the third hunt period, which runs from Sept. 25-Oct. 26, and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis as follows:

• Holders of Lifetime Comprehensive Licenses who were not selected in the drawing may purchase leftover licenses beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, July 6.
  
• Unsuccessful applicants may purchase leftover licenses beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT) Wednesday, July 13.
  
• Any hunter, including those who did not apply, may purchase a leftover license beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT)Wednesday, July 20.

Leftover bear licenses are available for residents only. Hunters, except for Lifetime Comprehensive License holders, are reminded that their preference points will reset to zero if they purchase a leftover license.

Elk

The first hunt period of the 2016 elk season begins Aug. 30-Sept. 2 and includes Sept. 16-19 and Sept. 30-Oct. 3. The second hunt will run Dec. 10-18. An additional hunt may be held Jan. 18-22, 2017, if the DNR determines the harvest insufficient to meet management goals.

A total of 60 any-elk and 140 antlerless-only elk licenses have been issued through the drawing.

Successful elk drawing applicants will receive detailed information about their hunt, including assigned hunt periods, elk management unit and type of license (any-elk or antlerless-only). Applicants are asked to be sure their mailing addresses are kept up-to-date with the Secretary of State. Elk hunters must attend a mandatory hunt orientation class prior to their hunt.

Increase the Odds

Hunters can increase the odds of getting bear and elk licenses by applying for the 2017 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing. Each application is $5, and applicants can purchase as many chances as they like. Three lucky hunters will win packages of licenses to hunt elk, bear, turkey, antlerless deer and waterfowl, plus a 2017 base license. Winning the Pure Michigan Hunt does not affect a hunter's eligibility to apply for or purchase other hunting licenses and will not affect bear preference points or weighted elk chances a hunter has earned. Apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt atwww.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt or at a license agent.