News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Monday, a taxidermy elk is seen on a wall at Bob's Gun Shop. Barb Cole, an employee at Bob’s Gun Shop, said that the elk was shot by Vi Pashley, an Alpena resident, at a preserve in Lewiston.

ALPENA — Though elk and bear seasons do not begin for a few more months, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released drawing results for licenses.

The DNR says hunters are responsible for checking drawing results at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.

On Monday, the DNR selected more than 6,500 hunters to participate in the Michigan bear and elk seasons later this summer and fall, according to a DNR press release. All together, the DNR reports that 6,278 bear licenses and 260 elk licenses have been awarded.

However, hunters chosen still need to purchase their licenses online or at a license retailer.

The DNR considers Northeast Michigan (which includes Alpena, Presque Isle, Montmorency, and Alcona counties) the Red Oak Bear Management Unit (BMU), and runs its bear hunting season from Sept. 13 to 14 and Oct. 3 to 9. The Northeast Michigan elk management unit (EMU) takes place during the following dates: Aug. 26 to 29, Sept. 12 to 15, Sept. 26 to 29, and Dec. 13 to 21.

According to the Michigan Bear Hunter’s Association harvest database preliminary results for 2024, 345 bears were harvested in the Red Oak BMU. In 2023 there were only 284 bears harvested. Based on collection data gathered since 1990, the association reports an average of 280 bears harvested in the Northeast Michigan region each year.

The DNR states in their 2025 Bear Hunting Regulations Summary that bear hunting has been regulated since 1925. Though the majority of the bear population lives in the Upper Peninsula, the DNR reports increasing bear populations in portions of the northern Lower Peninsula.

According to a DNR press release from January, the DNR reported 180 elk were harvested in 2024, and 250 licenses were issued.

The DNR states in their 2025 Elk Hunting Regulations Summary, Michigan’s elk herd disappeared in the 1800s due to unregulated harvest practices. Elk herds present in Michigan are a result of seven elk from the western United States that were relocated to Wolverine, Michigan in 1918. Annual hunting began in 1984.

According to the press release, hunters who apply for both bear and elk drawings can earn credit for future drawings if they are not selected. The bear hunt drawing uses a preference point system, meaning applicants with the most points are selected first. On the other hand, the elk hunt drawing uses a weighted chance system, giving an advantage to hunters who apply every year, according to the DNR. More than 40,000 hunters apply every year for fewer than 300 available licenses.

The DNR states that there is no guarantee hunters will ever be selected for an elk hunt.

For elk hunters who are issued licenses, the DNR states that individuals will be mailed a packet of information regarding elk hunter orientation.

Chosen applicants of both bear and elk licenses can transfer or donate their drawing success to an eligible person, according to the DNR. Transfer forms and other information are available at Michigan.gov/HuntTransfers.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.