Bear Bait

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.

General Michigan bear hunting information

2017 license agents from the 2017 Michgan DNR site
Preference Point Information (see page 5)
2017 Bear Hunting Digest (online PDF)

Applying for a Michigan bear hunting license

Apply online May 1 - June 1, 2017. Drawing will be posted June 29. 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 and actually want to hunt, make sure you are not sold the no kill tag (NKT) by mistake.
The 2017 bear apprentice and leftover limited-license dates (see page 13)
License opportunity for youth and hunters with an advanced illness (see page 12) — Register for the waiting list online. 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 drawing 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 (see page 22)
Check your bear carcass testing/lab results
Bear Harvest Report Survey — 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

Michigan hunters with disabilities information
Michigan limited-access private land lease hunting
Michigan public huntings lands
Pure Michigan Hunt information — Content is updated as 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