December 22, 2010

"It's a dream come true for me, like hitting the lottery." The words of a Super Bowl champion or an Olympic gold medalist?

No. But for lifelong hunter Joe Serafinski, what he's talking about comes close. Serafinski is one of the three winners selected in the first-ever Pure Michigan Hunt drawing held in January 2010. Since then he's been "living the dream" and taking advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in every limited-access hunt Michigan has, elk, bear, spring and fall wild turkey, and antlerless deer, as well as take first pick in a managed waterfowl area reserved hunt.

A 60-year-old Macomb resident who has been hunting for 41 years, Serafinski harvested his first elk an 803 pound, 6x5 bull that he says "missed the book by 12 inches" and a number of other species, including a 308 pound black bear that he calls "a great Michigan trophy." His excitement about this unique hunting opportunity even prompted him to get a personalized license plate that reads "1PMHWNR." He's spreading the word about the program through radio ads and visits to sportsmen's organizations.

Serafinski sees the $4 cost of a Pure Michigan Hunt application as a small price for the hunting experiences he has enjoyed the past year.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason agrees.

"For only $4, it's a chance for hunters to really step up their game and discover the thrill of Michigan's most sought-after hunts," he said. "And even if you aren't selected in the drawing, the money goes straight into the Game and Fish Fund, so either way it's a win for Michigan hunters."

The Pure Michigan Hunt gave 13 year old winner Luke Haynes of Vicksburg the chance some hunters never have: Haynes took a 6x7 bull elk, which he tracked himself, on Dec.7 in Atlanta, Mich.

"He was able to hunt in September during the rut, and he got to experience bulls bugling in his face, then again in October, and got him in December," said Haynes' mom Kelly.

Mario Chiesa, a 63 year old Dearborn resident selected in the drawing, also harvested a nice elk near the end of the December season. His 6x6 bull looked to be quite a fighter, according to Chiesa, it was missing the tip of an antler as well as several teeth, where it had apparently taken an antler in the mouth. "The folks at the check station had never seen that before," he said.

Chiesa hunted every elk season this year and saw quite a few during the earlier seasons, but let them go in favor of continuing his quest for the elk that he really wanted to take.

That's the beauty of the Pure Michigan Hunt - winners can hunt in any and all open seasons and hunt units for each species until their tag is filled. They won't lose any preference points or weighted advantages for future hunts either. Even hunters who can't apply for elk licenses because of past success may hunt elk again if selected for the Pure Michigan Hunt.

Another reason Chiesa calls this an "excellent program" is because, he says, it's unique among similar hunting opportunities in other states that are designed so that only high bidders can compete. Chiesa bought five chances for the Pure Michigan Hunt.

He was a big spender; Haynes applied just once, and said he was "so excited I can't even explain it" when he heard he was chosen from among the 12,693 applicants.

"Everybody has a chance at this outstanding opportunity," Mason said. "You don't have to have a lot of money or years of hunting experience under your belt to win."

Serafinski enjoyed the Pure Michigan Hunt so much that he plans on purchasing more chances this year, for himself and each of his sons.

Chiesa's experience with the program has been positive one as well. He primarily focused on elk, although he did try his hand at turkey hunting for the first time and said, "I'll probably go again. It's a lot of fun.

"Everyone I've dealt with at the DNRE has been absolutely stupendous and extremely helpful," he said. "This is such a great deal and a great opportunity that I'd be plastering it on signs along I-75."

Mason agrees. "This is a hunt of a lifetime," he said, "but we still need to do more to get the word out to all Michigan hunters."

The DNRE is hopeful that this year's radio and email promotions and printed materials will help boost Pure Michigan Hunt participation.

In all, there were 33,758 Pure Michigan Hunt applications sold for the first drawing. It raised more than $135,000 for the DNRE's Game and Fish Protection Fund, which has been under stress like many other state budgets.

Those who want to apply for the 2011 Pure Michigan Hunt have until Dec. 31. Applications are available online at www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt or at any license agent. Anyone 12 years old or older may participate, as long as their hunting privileges have not been suspended by the courts.

Winners are selected by random drawing, and results will be announced on Jan. 24.

Aside from the chance to get in on the best hunting Michigan has to offer, Pure Michigan Hunt winners also receive hunting equipment and other donated items. The 2010 winners went home with crossbows and turkey-hunting vests and callers. For the 2011 winners, Ten Point archery has donated two crossbows and Brooks Archery has donated a crossbow.

Pure Michigan Hunt winners also get the chance to help those less fortunate. "I've donated most of the meat to friends and family who were hit hard by this recession," said Serafinski. Chiesa donated most of the meat from his elk to a local shelter.

For more information about the Pure Michigan Hunt, including a short video and frequently asked questions, visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt.

"For those who really want to take their hunting to the next level, don't miss your chance," Mason said. "It only takes a few minutes to apply online or buy a chance while you're out doing your holiday shopping. Anybody can be one of these three lucky hunters - why not you?"

Serafinski couldn't agree more. When it comes to those coveted hunts like elk and bear, he says, "It's one more opportunity to take a shot at it. It's only four bucks - how many people spend that much on lottery tickets?"

And for someone who loves hunting like he does, being a Pure Michigan Hunter feels just like winning the lottery.