Apply for elk and bear licenses now through June 1

Contact: Adam Bump, 517-373-1263; Brent Rudolph , 517-641-4903; or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

Agency: Natural Resources

May 1, 2013

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that applications for Michigan elk and bear hunting licenses are available now through June 1.

There will be 200 elk licenses and 7,906 bear hunting licenses available for the 2013 hunting seasons.

Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. Bear licenses are available for both residents and nonresidents; however, no more than 2 percent of licenses in any bear management unit will be issued to nonresidents.

Hunters can apply online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings, at any authorized license agent or at a DNR Customer Service Center. A nonrefundable $4 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may purchase just one application for each species.

Applicants may call (517) 373-1263 by June 1 for assistance with their application and may check their drawing results online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. beginning June 24 for both species. Also see the 2013 Michigan Elk Hunting Digest and 2013 Michigan Bear Hunting Digest for more details about the application processes. All hunting digests can be found at www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests.

Want another chance at a bear and elk license? Increase your odds by applying for the Pure Michigan Hunt. Applications are $4 and can be bought at any license agent or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. Buy as many applications as you want. Three lucky winners will win prize packages that include elk (Michigan residents only), bear and turkey licenses; first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area; plus firearms, crossbows and much more! Worth a total of $4,200! For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt or watch a short Pure Michigan Hunt video.

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 to www.michigan.gov/dnr.