More than 6,500 hunters have been selected in the annual drawing for Michigan’s popular bear and elk hunts.

There are 6,278 bear licenses and 260 elk licenses available for the 2025 fall and winter hunting seasons. Drawing results may be viewed at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by calling 517-284-9453. Hunters are responsible for obtaining their drawing results.

Hunters selected in the drawing can buy their license at any license agent or online. Elk hunters whose names were drawn for a license will be mailed a packet of information that will include information about the elk hunter orientation.

In both the bear and elk drawings, hunters who apply and are not selected earn credit for future drawings.

• The bear hunt drawing uses a preference point system; applicants with the most points in each hunt are selected first. The number of points required to participate in a specific hunt period varies across Bear Management Units (BMU). In the Newberry BMU in the Upper Peninsula, for example, 8-9 points were required to hunt during the first hunt period in 2024. For more information, watch this short video: Bear Draw Preference Point System Explained
• The elk hunt drawing uses a weighted chance system, which gives an advantage to hunters who apply every year while still providing an opportunity to new applicants. More than 40,000 hunters apply every year for fewer than 300 available licenses. There is no guarantee hunters will ever be selected for an elk hunt. For more information, watch this short video: Elk Weighted Lottery System Explained

Bear and elk hunting seasons

Bear hunting season in the Upper Peninsula runs from mid-September to late October; specific dates vary within the U.P.’s seven DNR Bear Management Units. Bear hunting season in the northern Lower Peninsula is the same in all three of the peninsula’s BMUs: Sept. 13-23 and Oct. 3-9. Information on hunting dates and times, BMUs, regulations and more is available in the 2025 Michigan Bear Hunting Regulations Summary.

There are multiple elk hunting periods in the northern Lower Peninsula, occurring in August, September and December. Information on specific dates, DNR Elk Management Units, regulations and more is available in the 2025 Michigan Elk Hunting Regulations Summary.

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 DNR 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.

Pure Michigan Hunt

You could walk away with a hunting package worth thousands, as well as licenses for elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, and antlerless deer, and the first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area. Don't miss out on your shot at Michigan's ultimate hunt! Visit Michigan.gov/PMH for more details, to purchase an application(s) or for information about our great sponsors.

Hunting Licenses