1. Look at the map:  Bear Management Units Map  (JPG). Choose a bear management unit in which to hunt.
2. Choose one hunt number for the bear management unit and dates you wish to hunt.
3. Complete the worksheet.
4. Apply at any license agent or online.
5. Check your receipt for accuracy. Retain receipt as proof of application. It is your responsibility to ensure application information is correct.

Applying with a Party

• Applicants who wish to hunt together should apply as a party, with a maximum of four persons per party.  This is especially important for apprentice hunters.

• You must apply for a new party ID number each year.

• One of the partners must purchase an new application for a particular hunt number, and will receive a party ID. Remaining partners must provide this party ID when applying and should verify the party ID is correct on their receipt.

• The party's preference point total will equal that of the partner with the fewest number of points.

• If any partner is a nonresident, the entire party is considered nonresident. No more than 2% of licenses in any unit will be issued to nonresidents.

• All partners will receive a license if the party is selected, except for those who submit an invalid application.
   

Worksheet The license agent will ask for the following information when applying: 1. Your birth date?  ___ ___ / ___ ___ / ___ ___ ___ ___ 2. Customer ID number?  Michigan Driver License, State of Michigan ID Card, or DNR Sportcard 3. Application item type?  180  Bear Application  $4  280  Comprehensive Lifetime Bear     Application*  Free 4. Joining existing party?  No, if applying by yourself or you are the first person in a party to apply (Go to item 5). Yes, if a member of your party already has purchased an application for 2008. (Go to item 6) 5. Hunt number? (___ ___) 1st hunt choice - see table:  Bear Season Dates, Hunt Numbers, and License Quotas  .  Enter hunt 00 for a preference point only. (___ ___) 2nd hunt choice (optional)** 6. Party ID Number (____ ____) same number as printed on your party member's receipt; leave blank, if applying by yourself. Read receipt of application carefully. It is your responsibility to ensure the information was entered properly. Retain your receipt as proof of your application. * You must be a Comprehensive Lifetime Bear License Holder to apply for this type ** A 2nd choice selection will be considered only if all 1st hunt choices have been awarded for the hunt period and licenses are still available. Those hunt periods having a high drawing success in the past are most likely to have licenses available for 2nd-choice hunts, such as Bergland Hunt 03 and other late hunt periods in the U.P. But it is possible no licenses will be available for 2nd-choice hunts. If licenses remain AFTER the drawing (unlikely), available license quantities and purchase date will be posted on the DNR Web site on the day drawing results are posted.

Application Information

Locations

You may apply:

• At any license agent
• At DNR Operations Service Centers
• Online

Requirements

• It costs $4 to apply, except for Comprehensive Lifetime License holders.

• To apply, you will need one of the following forms of identification:
  -Valid Michigan driver license
  -State of Michigan ID card (issued by the Secretary of State)
  -DNR Sportcard (issued through license dealers or DNR Web site)

• It is critical that you keep your mailing address up to date with the Secretary of State.

• You must be at least 10 (or age 12 to hunt bear with a firearm on private land) during the season for which you are applying.

• Youngsters 10 and 11 are restricted to archery-only or participation hunting.

• Non-residents are eligible to apply; however, no more than 2% of licenses in any unit will be issued to non-residents.
   

Applicant Responsibilities

• When you apply, you are responsible for:
  Submitting a single application. Applicants who apply more than once or falsify information will be ineligible for the drawing. Applicants who apply in parties of more than 4 persons will be ineligible.
  Checking that your applicant information is correct.  An incorrect customer ID or party ID will cause you to be ineligible for a license.
  Ensuring that you receive a DNR receipt. The DNR receipt clearly states your customer ID and hunt choice.
  Retaining your DNR receipt as proof that you applied. (DO NOT ACCEPT A DNR RECEIPT THAT IS NOT LEGIBLE.)

Successful Applicants

• You may purchase your hunting license from any license agent or online
• All licenses must be signed to be valid.
• Your signature on the license certifies that you meet applicable residency and hunter safety requirements to purchase a Michigan hunting license.
• Licenses may not be altered or transferred.