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MDNR Report
There were 6,586 bear licenses and 260 elk licenses available for the 2023 fall hunting seasons. Drawing results are now in, and you can check them online at eLicense or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, or call 517-284-9453 (WILD), to learn if you were successfully drawn.
Hunters selected in the drawing can buy their license at any license agent or online. Elk hunters drawn for a license will be mailed a packet of information that will include information about the elk hunter orientation.
If you are curious how the drawing process works for bear and elk, watch our videos:
• Bear Draw Preference Point System Explained.
• Elk Weighted Lottery System Explained.
Successfully drawn but unable to hunt this fall?
Successful applicants can transfer or donate their drawing success to an eligible person they know or a person on the Department of Natural Resources hunt waiting list. Transfer forms and other information are available at Michigan.gov/HuntTransfers. The deadline to transfer a license is Sept. 1.
DNR hunt waiting list
Unsuccessful youth applicants and those with an advanced illness can register for a donated (transferred) bear or elk hunt until July 10. Register at Michigan.gov/HuntTransfers.
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MDNR Report
Pheasant
This year, pheasants will be released during the Oct. 20-Nov. 14 regular pheasant season on nine Michigan game areas throughout the southern part of the state.
They include:
- Cornish (Cass County).
- Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties).
- Erie (Monroe County).
- Lapeer (Lapeer County).
- Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County).
- Pinconning Township (Bay County).
- Pointe Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties).
- Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties).
- St Johns Marsh (St. Clair County).
A base license and a public-land pheasant license are required to hunt these areas, and all regular hunting regulations apply.
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MDNR Report
Learn to pheasant hunt, become more confident with your shooting skills, and make a few friends!
Pheasants Forever and the Michigan DNR will sponsor a “Women on the Wing” pheasant hunt Sept. 10 at the Rapid Wings Farm near Hubbard Lake in Alpena County.
The day begins with a short educational presentation by Pheasants Forever then participants we will shoot clay targets, eat lunch and go pheasant hunting.
Cost is $75 per person, which includes clay targets, ammo if needed, lunch, guided instruction provided by women (and their dogs) with pheasant hunting experience, three birds per hunter and a Pheasants Forever yearly membership.
The event is limited to 10 hunters who must be at least 18 years old to participate.
For more info or questions, contact Bill Fischer at 989-395-5945, or email him at fischerw@charter.net.
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MDNR Report
The fall hunting seasons will be here before we know it.
Where are you planning to spend the opening day of grouse and woodcock season? If you are looking for young aspen forests and areas created with bird hunters in mind, plan a trip out to a Grouse Enhanced Management Site!
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MDNR Report
Michigan Elk Herd
Results of the 2022 Michigan elk survey show the herd is healthy and growing.
During an aerial survey of the elk herd conducted over eight days in January, Department of Natural Resources staff flew over 1,080 square miles of predetermined sample plots across the northern Lower Peninsula to locate, count and photograph elk. Results from the survey estimate the population is between 870 and 1,684 animals.
A total of 793 animals in 92 groups were observed during the survey. A population estimate model was used to account for the animals that may not have been observed during the flight survey. Additionally, the photos taken during the survey were used to calculate the sex and age ratio of the herd. The 2022 survey estimates the population has increased 5% since 2019.
The elk population reflects the objectives and actions written in the Michigan Elk Management Plan.