Bear license drawing results available

Leftover bear hunting licenses for the 2012 season will be available for purchase in July, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.

There are a total of 224 leftover bear licenses available in the Bergland Management Unit (Sept. 25 – Oct. 26). These licenses will be sold online or at any license agent on a first-come, first-served basis according to the following criteria:

Holders of Lifetime Comprehensive Licenses, who were not selected in the drawing, may purchase a leftover license beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, July 9.
Unsuccessful applicants may purchase a leftover license beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, July 16.
Any hunter may purchase a leftover license beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, including those who did not apply.

Hunters are reminded that their preference points will reset to zero if they purchase a leftover license, except for Lifetime Comprehensive License holders.

Results of the drawing for the 2012 bear hunting licenses have been posted on the Department of Natural Resources website at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Also, as a reminder, applicants are no longer notified of their drawing success by mail.

A total of 7,991 bear licenses were available during the bear application period (May 1 – June 1), about 32 percent fewer than in 2011. The DNR has reduced license quotas in response to data that indicate the state’s bear populations have declined. Lower license quotas should stabilize bear populations in upcoming years.

Hunters can increase their odds of getting a bear license by applying for the 2013 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing. Each application is $4, and applicants can purchase as many chances as they like. Three lucky hunters will win a package of licenses to hunt elk, bear, turkey, antlerless deer and waterfowl. Winning the Pure Michigan Hunt does not affect a hunter’s eligibility to apply for or purchase other hunting licenses, and will not affect bear preference points or weighted elk chances a hunter has earned. Apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt at www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt or at a license agent.