Pure Michigan Hunt winners - from McBain, Kawkawlin and Westland - take home their prizes

The three Michigan hunters randomly chosen as the 2013 Pure Michigan Hunt winners - Jim Bosscher of McBain, Dave Gittins of Kawkawlin and Jason Webb of Westland - received their prizes at last Feb. 7's Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

Each winner gets a license to hunt in every limited-access hunt available in 2013. This includes elk, bear, antlerless deer, and spring and fall turkey, as well as first choice at a managed waterfowl area during any open hunting season in the state.

"My friends didn't believe me until they saw my name in the paper a few weeks ago," said Gittins, who owns a roofing business in Kawkawlin. "I still can't believe it!"

Bosscher, the sherriff of Missaukee County, also needed some convincing that he had won. "I thought someone was playing a joke on me, so I had to call around to make sure this was real," he explained.

In addition to the hunting licenses, the Pure Michigan Hunt winners also received the ultimate hunting prize package.

"I can't wait to get home and go through everything again," said Marine Corps veteran Jason Webb.

Winners received the following prizes donated by Michigan companies and organizations:

• 2012 Darton Crossbow package
• 30.06 Ruger Model 77 rifle from Michigan Gun Owners
• 12 GA shotgun from the Lake Effect Chapter of the Michigan Duck Hunters Association
• Camouflage ground blind from Ameristep
• Two-day/two-night guided spring turkey hunt from East Lake Outfitters
• Custom rear-window graphic from Steel Skinz Graphics
• Gas cards and magazine subscriptions from Michigan United Conservation Clubs
• Sitka camouflage clothing package from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Camouflage vest, custom box call and patch from the National Wild Turkey Federation
• Rapid River knife, duck decoy and membership from Ducks Unlimited
• Herd monitoring kit and membership from Quality Deer Management Association
• National and local memberships from Safari Club International
• Sweatshirt and hat from South West Lake Erie Chapter of Waterfowl USA

The 2013 lottery drew a total of 29,295 applications. Dollars generated from this opportunity fund wildlife habitat restoration and improvements in Michigan.

Applications for the 2014 Pure Michigan Hunt go on sale online at all retail license agents and online starting March 1. Hunters may purchase as many Pure Michigan Hunt applications as they like for $4 apiece. Visitwww.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt for more information.

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2013 Pure Michigan Hunt winners named

The dreams of three more Michigan hunters to participate in "the hunt of a lifetime" have come true.

Jason Webb of Westland, Jim Bosscher of McBain, and Dave Gittins of Kawkawlin recently received phone calls from Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason, letting them know they had been chosen as the three lucky winners of the 2013 Pure Michigan Hunt package.

“I couldn’t believe it, I thought it was a joke,” said Missaukee County Sherriff Jim Bosscher of McBain. 

Bosscher and the two other 2013 Pure Michigan Hunt winners will be officially awarded their hunting prize package at the Thursday, Feb. 7, Natural Resources Commission meeting in East Lansing.

“I am like a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve every moment of the day” since finding out, said Marine Corp veteran Jason Webb. 

The three winners each purchased $4 Pure Michigan Hunt applications between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2012 and were randomly drawn in the January lottery. They will each receive all of the available limited hunting licenses for 2013: elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer, and first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area opening morning. 

In addition to the hunting licenses, each winner will receive the ultimate hunter’s prize package:

• 2012 Darton Crossbow package
• 30.06 Ruger Model 77 rifle from Michigan Gun Owners
• 12 GA shotgun from the Lake Effect Chapter of the Michigan Duck Hunters Association
• Camouflage ground blind from Ameristep
• Guided spring turkey hunt from East Lake Outfitters
• Custom rear-window graphic from Steel Skinz Graphics
• Gas cards and subscriptions from Michigan United Conservation Clubs
• Sitka camouflage clothing from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Camouflage vest, custom box call, and patch from National Wild Turkey Federation
• Rapid River knife, duck decoy and membership from Ducks Unlimited
• Herd monitoring kit and membership from Quality Deer Management Association
• National and local memberships from Safari Club International
• Sweatshirt and hat from Southwestern Lake Erie Chapter of Waterfowl USA

 The next Pure Michigan Hunt application period will start on March 1. Visitwww.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt for more information.

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The Next Pure Michigan Hunt Winner Could Be You!

Would you like to hunt elk and bear, along with other species in Michigan next year? You can if you win one of three Pure Michigan Hunt (PMH) packages. However, to win you need to apply. Applications for the 2013 drawing are now available for purchase. You can purchase an unlimited number of $4 applications for Michigan's "Hunt of a Lifetime" from now until Dec. 31. Three winners will be drawn to win the ultimate prize package of licenses to hunt elk, bear, turkey, deer and waterfowl, plus various hunting merchandise yet to be determined. Dollars generated from this opportunity fund wildlife habitat management here in Michigan. Wildlife management in Michigan is funded by the users.

The three recent winners - Brad L. Belcher from Howell, Mark A. Schulz from southeast Michigan, and Dan A. Beaudoin from Waterford - were announced Feb. 9, 2012. In addition to their hunting licenses for elk, bear, turkey, deer and managed waterfowl, the three winners received the following prize package from Michigan companies and organizations:

• Ameristep: Brickhouse Groundblinds
• Darton Archery: 2012 Scorpion II Crossbows packages
• Ducks Unlimited Michigan Chapter: One year subscription and duck decoy
• Michigan Gun Owners: 30.06 Savage Arms rifle
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs: One year subscription youth and adult magazine
• MOR Archery: Nine Square Target Systems
• National Wild Turkey Federation, Michigan Chapter: Custom Box calls, hunting vests, turkey patches
• Northwoods Wholesale Outlets: Soroc sports sleds
• Quality Deer Management Association, Michigan Chapter: QDM start-up package

"When you are buying your new 2012 licenses, buy yourself a couple Pure Michigan Hunt applications," said DNR Wildlife Chief Russ Mason. "You could win every limited-access hunt the state of Michigan has to offer. We can't wait to hear the recent winners' stories of this spring turkey season. Last year's hunters had a blast."

You can purchase Pure Michigan Hunt applications anywhere DNR licenses are sold or you can purchase one online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. For more information on the PMH, visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt. The 2013 prize package of merchandise is currently being put together, and will be posted on the PMH website soon.

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Michigan: NRC Approves Mentored Youth Hunting Program for 2012

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has approved a new program aimed at introducing children under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing. The Mentored Youth Hunting program will start with the 2012 season, with licenses on sale starting March 1.

"The Department is fully supportive of this new program that will help introduce children to the sport of hunting, ensuring that we successfully pass along Michigan's rich outdoor traditions," said Rodney Stokes, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We wish to thank our many conservation partners who helped develop this program with the NRC, providing a new opportunity for us to interest Michigan's youth in hunting and fishing."

The $7.50 Mentored Youth Hunting license will be a "package" license that includes small game, spring and fall turkey (private or public land), two deer tags (any deer), a furbearer trapping permit and an all-species fishing license. An adult mentor must be at least 21 years old, have previous hunting experience and possess a valid Michigan hunting license. Another provision of the law allows 10-year-olds to hunt big game on private land with a firearm, which was implemented starting with the 2011 deer season.

The regulations approved by the NRC for the Mentored Youth Hunting program include:
No limit on the number of youth a mentor can have with him or her in the field, leaving it at the discretion of the mentor.
A limit of two hunting devices ? bow, crossbow or firearm ? per mentor.
The youth in possession of a hunting device and engaged in the act of hunting must be within arm's length of the mentor.
The mentor shall ensure that the hunting device is sized appropriately to fit the physical abilities of the youth to ensure safe and responsible handling.
The mentor will be held responsible for the youth's actions.
The issued deer tags under the Mentored Youth Hunting license can be used for either sex (antlered or antlerless), are not subject to antler point restriction regulations in certain parts of the state and can only be used on private land, consistent with current state law.



Voluntary mentor guidelines have been developed by the DNR, and are available atwww.michigan.gov/mentoredhunting, along with other information about the program.

A workgroup consisting of representatives of several conservation organizations, including three youth representatives, developed recommendations for the regulations, which were adopted by the NRC. Organizations serving on the workgroup included the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, the Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Michigan Hunter Safety Education Instructor Association.

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OKLAHOMA OUTDOOR CALENDAR

OUTDOOR CALENDAR
 
JANUARY
 
5-8: Oklahoma Tackle and Hunting Show at the Oklahoma City Fair Grounds, Oklahoma City.
 
5-8: Oklahoma Winter Bird Feeder Survey. Help the Wildlife Department track wintering birds at backyard feeders. For more information, log on to www.okwinterbirds.com<http://www.okwinterbirds.com/> .
 
9: Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting. Meetings are held monthly at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Building (auditorium), 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
 
12: Tulsa Fly Fishers & Oklahoma Trout Unlimited Meeting with guest speaker is Kevin Calhoun of Just Fishin' Guides. The program will be How To Catch Smallmouth On The Fly. Kevin, will cover tackle (rods, reels, fly lines, and leaders), how to read the water (current seams, cover, etc.), fly presentations, flies and will share some of his favorite rivers to fish. Kevin has fished extensively from CO, NM, AR and WY for trout; TX, AR, KS for the basses, done saltwater fishing in FL, TX and Mexico and salmon in AK. Meetings are held at the Hardesty Public Library (8316 E. 93rd St. on the North side of the Creek Turnpike off Memorial Drive). Meetings are free and open to the public and beings at 6:30 p.m. For more information see www.tulsaflyfishers.org <http://www.tulsaflyfishers.org/> 
 
13: Eleventh annual OKC trout fishing clinic at Putnam City High School Gym (5300 NW 50th Warr Acres) for anyone interested in fishing for and catching rainbow trout. Program is free. To register call the H.B Parsons Fish Hatchery at (405) 755-4014.
 
16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - State Offices Closed.
 
17: Bob Walshaw will present a hands-on bluebird program including how to deal with house sparrows at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow at 7 p.m. This event will be held in the upstairs seminar room, is free and open to the public, and door prizes will be awarded. For more information (918) 355-7600.
 
24: Predator Calling Seminar at 7 p.m. in the upstairs seminar room at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.. Scott Ruff will cover bobcat calling, and Travis Alzate will cover coyote calling. Both men are expert predator hunters, videographers and seminar presenters with many years of multi-state experience. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (918) 355-7600.
 
28: The Lawton Oklahoma Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a Waterfowl Hunters Party at the Great Plains Coliseum (Prairie Building) at 920 S. Sheridan Road, Lawton. Doors Open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, which includes a meal and Ducks Unlimited membership. Auction will be held for decoys and hunting equipment. Come out and enjoy a great evening of fun and fellowship. For more info and to purchase tickets contact Ricky Moore, Lawton Ducks Unlimited Chapter President, atmoore6395@sbcglobal.net or (580) 351-8824.
 
28: Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Banquet of the Miami/Ottawa County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting a banquet at the Buffalo Run Hotel and Casino in Miami. This will be one of the first opportunities for hunters to bid on 2012 limited edition DU 75th anniversary prints, guns, and equipment. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner and auction to follow. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple available at the door. For advance tickets, information, or sponsorships contact Jeff or Shannon White at(918) 961-1083
 
31: Prescribed Burn Workshop. Topics will range from legal considerations and techniques for managing fire to environmental considerations and developing prescribed burning plans. Weather permitting an afternoon demonstration burn will be conducted with an explanation of necessary equipment. Workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register call the Noble Foundation at (580) 224-6411 or log on to www.noble.org/AgEvents <http://www.noble.org/AgEvents> .

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• Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)
• Oklahoma Outdoor Calendar (midwestdeerhunting.blogspot.com)