Bear licenses are issued to hunters through a preference point system that began in 2000. Hunters receive a preference point each year that they apply for a bear license and are unsuccessful in drawing a tag. In the license drawing, applicants with the greatest number of points in each hunt are issued licenses first. Upon selection for a license, an applicant's preference points will return to zero, including successful applicants who choose not to purchase their license.
    Each hunter's preference points are tracked by the customer ID. If applicants use a different ID to apply than used in previous years (or use an incorrect ID), their previous points will not be considered in the drawing. If there is a change in ID, applicants must call (517) 373-3904 before the application deadline to ensure that their points are combined under their current ID. Applicants may check their preference point status Michigan E-License:   www.mdnr-elicense.com
    Bear drawing success rates vary by bear management unit and hunt date. An applicant with no preference points may be drawn for a hunt that is in low demand, while a unit in higher demand may require 5 or more points to draw a tag. From year to year, applicants may apply for any hunt they choose, and their total preference points will be considered in each drawing.
    Applicants may apply for a harvest tag or apply for a preference point only, banking the point for future drawings. Applicants must be of legal age to hunt in this year's bear hunting season to be eligible to apply for a preference point (Hunt No. 00). Only one point will be awarded in a given year.
    Persons who fail to apply or are ineligible to apply for a license for three consecutive years will lose their points.