Our information is gathered from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources web site, and is updated according to the current year's information. The DNR tries to post each year's publications by the second week of April. We will post updated 2015 links as soon as they are available.

General Michigan bear hunting information

2014 fees from the MI DNR web site, see page 4
Preference Point Information
2014 Bear Hunting Digest (PDF) — Applies from August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015.

Applying for a Michigan bear hunting license

The license application — Apply May 1 - June 1, 2014. Drawing will be posted June 30. Be aware it is against the law to purchase more than one bear license. NOTE: Per the MI DNR web site, if you are selected for a license, make sure you are not sold the no kill tag (NKT) by mistake.
License opportunity for youth and hunters with an advanced illness — Register for the waiting list online, available from March 1 through July 10. Applicants who are successful in the bear or elk license drawings may transfer their drawing success to any unsuccessful youth applicant or to any qualified person of legal hunting age with an advanced illness.

Checking on results of Michigan license drawings

Checking your results and Preference Points — Drawing results are posted online only. Applicants are no longer notified by mail. (Hunters receive a preference point each year they apply unsuccessfully in drawing a tag.) In the license drawing, applicants with the greatest number of points in each hunt are issued licenses first. Upon selection for a license, an applicant's preference points will return to zero, including successful applicants who choose not to purchase their license.

Help the DNR track the Michigan bear population health and numbers

How to participate in carcass care, tooth collection and female reproductive tract collection
Check your bear carcass lab results
Bear Harvest Report Form — This is a short questionnaire (will be available during the hunt season) that helps the MI DNR evaluate hunter success and total harvest. The information is used to better understand and manage Michigan bears, which helps establish effective hunting seasons.

Special Michigan hunting licenses that may be of interest to you

2014 Limited-Access Hunts — Michigan offers limited-access hunting opportunities for turkey, bear, elk, antlerless deer and waterfowl.
2014 Pure Michigan Hunt — Content is updated when the DNR makes new information available.

Michigan DNR Bear Hunting Season and License Information

General Michigan bear hunting information

Applying for a Michigan bear hunting license

Checking on results of Michigan license drawings

Help the DNR track the Michigan bear population health and numbers

Special Michigan hunting licenses that may be of interest to you