Midwest Deer Hunting: Michigan Hunt

Showing posts with label Michigan Hunt. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Pure Michigan Hunt winners hit the woods for fall hunting season

Every year Pure Michigan Hunt winners get to spend their fall hunting season living out a big dream - pursuing elk, bear, antlerless deer, turkey and ducks in Michigan's outdoors. For the most recent group of winners, the hunting adventure has begun.
On Sept. 14, Frank Zrepskey of Algonac successfully harvested a large 6 x 7 bull elk with the help of his guide, Gene Skiba, and sons. Zrepskey used his 30.06, given to him by Michigan Gun Owners as part of his Pure Michigan Hunt prize package, to harvest the elk.
“This elk hunt was great. The weather was perfect, we saw lots of game, and when the right bull came along, we were successful,” said Zrepskey. “The whole Pure Michigan Hunt contest win has been a great experience for me!”
PMH Shaneour elk

Bruce Shaneour of Osseo also was successful in his elk hunt. He harvested a nice 6 x 6 bull elk on Sept. 27 in the Vanderbilt area with help from his guide, Kevin Johnson of Big Boys Adventures. [Pictured: Bruce Shaneour, left, and guide Kevin Johnson with Shaneour's Pure Michigan Hunt elk.]
“What a hunt! The elk were in full rut and bugling all around us. I’ve hunted elk out west a few times, but I’ve never had an experience like this,” said Shaneour. “Kevin Johnson and his team at Big Boys Adventures were excellent. It was the most phenomenal Michigan elk footage they’ve ever captured.”
Bill Kring of Cadillac is still awaiting his chance to harvest a trophy Michigan bull elk.
Bear season is also under way for the Pure Michigan Hunt winners.
PMH veteran bear

This year, there was a Pure Michigan Hunt license transfer of a bear tag. Kring generously transferred his bear tag to a Michigan veteran from Manton. This veteran had the opportunity to hunt with Rob Nixon, on land southwest of Cadillac, and was able to harvest a 217-pound black bear. The veteran reports having a great time on his hunt and being "extremely happy" with his harvest. [Pictured, a Michigan veteran from Manton (left) with the black bear he harvested and guide Rob Nixon.]
New this year, Pure Michigan Hunt winners can now transfer one or all of their licenses to another eligible hunter of their choice or keep the licenses for themselves. This will allow anyone to buy as many applications as they want for themselves and others instead of needing to know someone else’s driver’s license number, address and birthdate to apply for the other hunter.
All three Pure Michigan Hunt winners have the flexibility to hunt many different times and places, with the ability to pick and choose hunt areas and seasons that fit into their schedules.
For hunters who dream of experiences like this, there's still plenty of time to make 2015 the hunt of a lifetime by applying for the Pure Michigan Hunt. Along with all of the hunting licenses, each winner will receive a hunting prize package valued at more than $4,000. Visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt for more information and to purchase applications.
Waterfowl season is coming up next for the Pure Michigan Hunt winners; look for more about their adventures coming soon.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Pure Michigan Hunt Series Continues With Bear Success!

We are following the the three recent Pure Michigan Hunt winners with a video series, and bear season has wrapped up across the state. Click the play button to find out all about their bear hunts.

A Pure Michigan Hunt winner receives elk, bear, spring and fall turkey hunting licenses, and first pick opening morning at a premier managed waterfowl hunt area. And that's not all - a $4,000 ultimate hunting prize package donated by great hunting partners is also included!

When buying your license for firearm deer season, don't forget to purchase your chance to win the hunt of a lifetime. Grab as many $4 Pure Michigan Hunt applications as you wish at www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

This Pure Michigan Hunt winner could be you - apply today for the hunt of a lifetime

Brad Belcher, one of the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt winners, had a “bang up time” hunting opening morning at the St. Clair Flats Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area. Belcher took his son along on the coveted southern zone opener. John Darling and Harold Huber, local DNR staffers, gave a tour of the area, put the Belchers up for the night and played guide for them the next morning. The hunters were able to come home with a few less shells and, most importantly, some ducks to show for it.

Belcher was one of three hunters who won the Pure Michigan Hunt last year, which awarded him a prize package every hunter only dreams about. Each winner received licenses to hunt elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, antlerless deer, and first pick on opening morning at any managed waterfowl area. In addition to the licenses, the three winners received an amazing hunter’s prize package of guns and gear.

Belcher was able to bag a 12-point buck during archery season with one of his Pure Michigan Hunt prizes, a complete Darton crossbow package. On opening morning of firearm deer season, he took an eight-point buck, and for the first time in a long time, he took two bucks.

With the December elk season coming up soon, Belcher is getting ready for his elk hunt and planning to take his entire family along. As a Pure Michigan Hunt winner, he was able to hunt elk in September, but could be choosy enough to opt out of harvesting an elk during that period. Unlike a normal elk license, a Pure Michigan Hunt elk license allows winners to hunt during all hunt periods until the elk is harvested.

Do you want to be the next Pure Michigan Hunt winner? Apply now!

Grab unlimited $4 applications online www.mdnr-elicense.com or anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Applications must be purchased by Dec. 31, 2012. The three winners will be drawn, and drawing results will be posted online on Jan. 28, 2013.

This year’s prize package includes all limited-quota licenses and the following gear:
2012 Darton crossbow package
30.06 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 MUCC
Sitka camouflage clothing 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 the Quality Deer Management Association
National and local memberships from Safari Club International
Sweatshirt and hat from the Southwest Lake Erie chapter of Waterfowl USA

Friday, December 23, 2011

Only a Few Days Left for Your Chance at Michigan's Hunt of a Lifetime

With 2011 drawing to a close, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the last day to purchase Pure Michigan Hunt applications is Saturday, Dec. 31.

Past Pure Michigan Hunt winner Randy Willis with the 6x6 elk he harvested as part of his hunt of a lifetime. Photo courtesy of Steve Koss, Big Boy Adventures.

Applicants can purchase an unlimited number of $4 chances for Michigan's "Hunt of a Lifetime" anywhere DNR licenses are sold or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. Three lucky hunters will be randomly selected to win the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt ultimate prize package, including licenses to hunt elk, bear, turkey, deer and waterfowl, along with an array of donated merchandise.

"Dollars generated from this unique opportunity fund wildlife habitat restoration and improvements here in Michigan," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "Wildlife management in Michigan is paid for by the users, and the purchase of a hunting license is the best investment folks can make to support our wildlife species and the habitat they depend on."

Thanks to generous donations from several Michigan companies and organizations, Mason added, the winners will walk away not only with lifelong memories of a coveted elk or bear hunt, but also an incredible selection of prizes, including:

Brickhouse ground blind from Ameristep
2012 Scorpion II crossbow package from Darton Archery
One-year magazine subscription and duck decoy from Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited
Savage Model 115 American Classic Rifle from Michigan Gun Owners
One-year magazine subscriptions to Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine and Tracks youth magazine from Michigan United Conservation clubs
Nine Square Target System from MOR Archery
Custom box call, hunting vest and turkey patch from Michigan Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
Soroc sports sled from Northwoods Wholesale Outlets
Start-up package, including membership fee and deer-aging kit, from Quality Deer Management Association

"I encourage all Michigan hunters to buy their own chance for a Pure Michigan Hunt," said past Pure Michigan Hunt winner Randy Willis. "What a wonderful year of hunting it has been. This is truly the hunt of a lifetime!"

As part of his Pure Michigan Hunt package, Willis was able to take a 6x6 elk, a bear and several antlerless deer. He also participated in a managed waterfowl hunt at Shiawassee River State Game Area and the spring turkey hunt.

Pure Michigan Hunt applications also make a great last-minute holiday gift or stocking stuffer. Those who purchase applications as gifts for other hunters need to use the gift recipient's identification - a Michigan driver's license number or DNR Sportcard number - to ensure the recipient is awarded the hunting rights.

For more information on the Pure Michigan Hunt, visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt.

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 towww.michigan.gov/dnr.