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DNR drawings · 2026-27
Michigan Drawings, Reserved Hunts
Every Michigan drawing in one place: bear licenses by preference point, elk by weighted chance, spring turkey, reserved deer and waterfowl hunts, the Pure Michigan Hunt and the daily draws at the Wetland Wonders managed waterfowl areas, with windows, quotas and points.
Photo: GregGilbert1 (CC BY 2.0)
Michigan drawing windows for 2026-27
Bear and elk share a May 1 to June 1 window, reserved deer hunts open in mid-July and reserved waterfowl in August. The Pure Michigan Hunt takes applications all year.
Drawings run through eLicense/agents/app. Bear uses preference points (one point per unsuccessful year; reset if drawn or leftover bought; lost after 5 years without applying). Elk uses weighted chances (residents only; region-proportional; lifetime ineligibility after an any-elk license, 10 years after antlerless). Spring turkey, reserved deer, reserved waterfowl and Pure Michigan Hunt are random drawings; residents and nonresidents equal (max 5% nonresident bear licenses per hunt).
| Drawing or sale | Window | Results | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring turkey (2026) | Jan. 1-Feb. 1, 2026 | Results March 2, 2026; leftovers March 9 (unsuccessful applicants) and March 16 (all, plus hunts 0234/0301) | $5 | Ages 17+; youth 10-16 buy a youth license without applying. 2027 dates not yet published. |
| Bear | May 1-June 1, 2026 | Results June 22, 2026; leftovers July 6 (applicants) and July 13 (all) | $5 | Preference-point-only option; party up to 4. |
| Elk | May 1-June 1, 2026 | Results June 22, 2026 | $5 (+$100 elk receipt if drawn) | Residents only; "bull only", "bull or antlerless" or chance-only. |
| Reserved deer hunts (DMUs 038 and 273) | July 15-Aug. 15, 2026 | Results Aug. 31, 2026; leftovers Sept. 3, 10 a.m. | $5 | Party of 2. |
| Reserved waterfowl hunts | Aug. 1-28, 2026 | Results Sept. 14, 2026 | $5 | Two hunt choices; parties up to 4. |
| Fall turkey | No drawing; licenses on sale Aug. 15, 10 a.m. | – | $15 license | TMU M quota 2,200 first-come. |
| Antlerless deer | No drawing in 2026 (universal licenses over the counter; UP antlerless access permit drawing eliminated) | – | $20 | WCO 3.104 application rules remain for any application-only units. |
| Pure Michigan Hunt (2027) | Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026 | January 2027 (three winners) | $5 each, unlimited | Elk, bear, antlerless deer, spring and fall turkey, base license and a reserved waterfowl hunt; transferable. |
| Bear/elk hunt transfer waiting list | March 1-July 10 | – | – | Transfers to youth 16 and under who applied unsuccessfully or anyone with an advanced illness; transfer forms due Sept. 1. |
The spring turkey window shown is the 2026 one; the DNR has not published 2027 dates. Sources: deer summary; bear; elk; spring turkey; waterfowl; fall turkey, confirmed October 22, 2026.
The Michigan bear drawing, unit by unit
Red Oak, the big northern Lower Peninsula unit, needed 9 to 10 resident points in 2025 for its 685 licenses. Late Upper Peninsula hunts can draw with zero or one point.
| Bear unit | Hunt | Dates | Quota 2026 | Max nonresident | First-choice applicants 2025 | Resident points 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amasa | 0007 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 120 | 6 | 464 | 5–6 |
| Amasa | 0008 | Sept. 14 – Oct. 26 | 110 | 5 | 390 | 3–4 |
| Amasa | 0009 | Sept. 25 – Oct. 26 | 280 | 14 | 641 | 1–2 |
| Baldwin | 0021 | Sept. 12–22 and Oct. 2–8 | 395 | 19 | 2,762 | 7–8 |
| Baraga | 0004 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 305 | 15 | 1,147 | 3–4 |
| Baraga | 0005 | Sept. 14 – Oct. 26 | 435 | 21 | 884 | 1–2 |
| Baraga | 0006 | Sept. 25 – Oct. 26 | 830 | 41 | 1,049 | 0–1 |
| Bergland | 0001 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 170 | 8 | 606 | 3–4 |
| Bergland | 0002 | Sept. 14 – Oct. 26 | 230 | 11 | 522 | 0–1 |
| Bergland | 0003 | Sept. 25 – Oct. 26 | 435 | 21 | 466 | 0 |
| Carney | 0010 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 90 | 4 | 699 | 7–8 |
| Carney | 0011 | Sept. 14 – Oct. 26 | 155 | 7 | 623 | 3–4 |
| Carney | 0012 | Sept. 25 – Oct. 26 | 320 | 16 | 989 | 1–2 |
| Drummond Island | 0019 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 8 | 0 | 199 | 21–22 |
| Gladwin | 0022 | Sept. 12–22 and Oct. 2–8 | 95 | 4 | 1,165 | 8–9 |
| Gwinn | 0013 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 140 | 7 | 869 | 6–7 |
| Gwinn | 0014 | Sept. 14 – Oct. 26 | 155 | 7 | 627 | 2–3 |
| Gwinn | 0015 | Sept. 25 – Oct. 26 | 440 | 22 | 822 | 0–1 |
| Newberry | 0016 | Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 | 200 | 10 | 1,865 | 9–10 |
| Newberry | 0017 | Sept. 14 – Oct. 26 | 200 | 10 | 1,132 | 5–6 |
| Newberry | 0018 | Sept. 25 – Oct. 26 | 480 | 24 | 1,675 | 1–2 |
| Red Oak | 0020 | Sept. 12–22 and Oct. 2–8 | 685 | 34 | 9,336 | 9–10 |
Hunts, quotas, applicants and preference points from the 2026 Bear summary tables; definitions/counties from WCO 12.550-12.559 (counties may be partly inside a BMU). Max nonresident licenses = 5% of each hunt. Bear and elk drawing success may be transferred to eligible youth or people with an advanced illness (Michigan.gov/HuntTransfers).
Dansville BMU, the rest of southern Michigan, has no 2026 bear hunt. Sources: bear summary tables; hunt transfers, confirmed October 22, 2026.
The Michigan elk drawing
Elk licenses go to Michigan residents only, by weighted random draw. In 2025, 253 elk hunters took 163 animals.
| Hunt | Units | Dates | Licenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt period 1 | Elk management unit X | Sep 23-Oct 4, 2026 | 40 any-elk and 60 antlerless-only licenses; Michigan residents only; drawing. |
| Hunt period 2 | Elk management units H and X | Dec 1-15, 2026 | 10 any-elk and 30 antlerless-only licenses. |
| Hunt period 2 | Elk management units I and X | Dec 1-15, 2026 | 20 any-elk and 40 antlerless-only licenses. |
Residents only; drawing, $100 elk receipt and mandatory elk hunt orientation. Only units X, H and I are open in 2026 (period 1: X; period 2: H and X, I and X). Other units remain defined in the WCO.
Sources: elk summary; 2025 elk report, confirmed October 22, 2026.
Michigan spring turkey drawing and fall sales
The spring structure below is the 2026 edition: limited-license hunts in units M, NN and ZZ plus the unlimited statewide hunt 0234 and private-land hunt 0301. Fall licenses are bought over the counter.
Spring 2026 hunts
| Unit | Dates | Quota | Hunt |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | April 18 – May 31 | 6,000 | 0110 |
| NN | April 18 – May 1 | 18,000 | 0134 |
| Statewide | May 2 – May 31 | Unlimited | 0234 |
| ZZ* | April 18 – May 31 | Unlimited | 0301 |
| ZZ | April 18 – May 1 | 8,000 | 0302 |
| ZZ | May 2 – 31 | 8,000 | 0303 |
Fall 2026, no drawing
| Unit | Dates | Quota | Hunt |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | Unlimited | 0401 |
| M | Sept. 15 – Nov. 14 | 2,200 | 0402 |
Ages 17+; youth 10-16 buy a youth license without applying. 2027 dates not yet published. Spring: M (UP), NN (northern LP), ZZ (southern LP) plus statewide hunt 0234 and private-land hunt 0301; fall: I (LP except Monroe County, unlimited) and M (UP, 2,200). Spring 2027 structure not yet published.
Sources: spring turkey summary, 2026 edition; fall turkey summary, confirmed October 22, 2026.
Michigan reserved and special deer hunts
Two reserved hunts are drawn each summer, at Sharonville State Game Area for hunters with disabilities and on the Shiawassee River lands. Applications run July 15-Aug. 15, 2026.
Reserved deer hunts
DMU 038 (Sharonville SGA), DMU 273 (Shiawassee River SGA and Shiawassee NWR). Reserved deer hunting access permit (drawing, apply July 15-Aug. 15, 2026, $5; results Aug. 31; leftovers from Sept. 3). Sharonville hunts are for hunters with disabilities only. Parties: party of 2.
Special deer hunt locations
- Fish Point Wildlife Area (989-674-2511)
- Fort Custer Training Center (FortCusterhunt.org)
- Harsens Island (810-748-9504)
- Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area (989-697-5101)
- North Manitou Island DMU 145 (Sleeping Bear Dunes NL, NPS.gov/SLBE)
- Sharonville SGA DMU 038 (reserved, hunters with disabilities)
- Shiawassee River SGA DMU 273 (reserved)
- Shiawassee NWR DMU 273 (reserved)
- South Fox Island DMU 245 (archery Oct. 1-28, firearm Oct. 29-Nov. 26)
Detroit River IWR, Harbor Island NWR, Kirtland's Warbler WMA, Michigan Wetland Management District, Seney NWR and Shiawassee NWR allow limited deer hunting; Huron NWR closed; Michigan Islands NWR closed to public access.
Sources: deer summary; reserved deer window, confirmed October 22, 2026.
Michigan reserved waterfowl hunts and daily draws
The reserved hunts cover the duck opener at five managed areas. After that, four areas draw every day at 5:30 a.m. and again before noon; Fennville Farm, Muskegon and Pointe Mouillee draw on set days, and the Shiawassee refuge unit needs no drawing from 2026.
Reserved waterfowl hunts, 2026 (20)
| Area | Date | Session | Hunts | Hunt number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Point | Oct. 3 | a.m. | 35 | 0017 |
| Fish Point | Oct. 3 | p.m., youth* | 35 | 0018 |
| Fish Point | Oct. 4 | a.m. | 35 | 0019 |
| Fish Point | Oct. 4 | p.m. | 35 | 0020 |
| Harsens Island | Oct. 17 | a.m. | 35 | 0001 |
| Harsens Island | Oct. 17 | p.m., youth* | 35 | 0002 |
| Harsens Island | Oct. 18 | a.m. | 35 | 0003 |
| Harsens Island | Oct. 18 | p.m. | 35 | 0004 |
| Nayanquing Point | Oct. 3 | a.m. | 25 | 0025 |
| Nayanquing Point | Oct. 3 | p.m., youth* | 25 | 0026 |
| Nayanquing Point | Oct. 4 | a.m. | 25 | 0027 |
| Nayanquing Point | Oct. 4 | p.m. | 25 | 0028 |
| Pointe Mouillee | Oct. 17 | a.m. | 21 | 0033 |
| Pointe Mouillee | Oct. 17 | p.m., youth* | 21 | 0034 |
| Pointe Mouillee | Oct. 18 | a.m. | 21 | 0035 |
| Pointe Mouillee | Oct. 18 | p.m. | 21 | 0036 |
| Shiawassee River | Oct. 17 | a.m. | 40 | 0009 |
| Shiawassee River | Oct. 17 | p.m., youth* | 40 | 0010 |
| Shiawassee River | Oct. 18 | a.m. | 40 | 0011 |
| Shiawassee River | Oct. 18 | p.m. | 40 | 0012 |
Applications Aug. 1-28, 2026. Results Sept. 14, 2026. Two hunt choices; parties up to 4. * Youth sessions.
Daily drawings at the managed waterfowl areas
| Area | Phone | Youth hunts | Drawings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fennville Farm (Allegan County, Fennville) | 269-561-2258 | Oct. 17 (a.m.) nonreserved; Dec. 26 (a.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 17–18 and Dec. 19 – Feb. 14. Drawing at 5:30 a.m. Leftover zones will be reissued until 11 a.m. Permits valid until 4:30 p.m. Afternoon hunts: No afternoon draws. No drawings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Dec. 19 – Feb. 14. Self-registration available for goose hunting outside of drawing dates from Sept. 1–30 and Oct. 17 – Nov. 4 at the Fennville Farm Unit office. Self-registration available for duck hunting outside of drawing dates at the Fennville Farm Unit office during South Zone duck season. |
| Fish Point (Tuscola County, Unionville) | 989-674-2511 | Oct. 3 (p.m.) reserved; Oct. 24 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (Muskegon County, Twin Lake) | 231-788-5055 | Oct. 24 (a.m. and p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Tuesdays and Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. Afternoon hunts: Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Open to hunting Oct. 20 – Dec. 19. Closed to hunting Thanksgiving Day. Permits for Tuesday morning drawings are valid until close of shooting hours. Note: Dry field hunting only, no water impoundments. |
| Nayanquing Point (Bay County, Linwood) | 989-697-5101 | Oct. 3 (p.m.) reserved; Oct. 24 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| Pointe Mouillee (Wayne County, Rockwood) | 734-379-9692 | Oct. 17 (p.m.) reserved; Nov. 1 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Sundays, Thursdays and Oct. 17 at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Sundays, Tuesdays and Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Permits for Thursday morning drawings are valid until close of shooting hours. |
| Shiawassee River (Saginaw County, St. Charles) | 989-865-6211 | Oct. 17 (p.m.) reserved; Nov. 7 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| St. Clair Flats (Harsens Island, St. Clair County, Algonac) | 810-748-9504 | Oct. 17 (p.m.) reserved; Nov. 7 (p.m.) nonreserved | Morning hunts: Daily at 5:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) Afternoon hunts: Daily at 11:30 a.m. (Reserved hunt opening weekend of duck season.) |
| Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (Saginaw County, Saginaw) | 989-777-5930 | N/A | New for the 2026 season, hunters are no longer required to apply for the weekly drawing. Waterfowl hunting will be allowed within the designated waterfowl hunting unit. Morning hunts are available on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from the beginning of legal hunting hours (a.m.) to 12 p.m. Afternoon hunts are available on Thursdays from 12 p.m. to the end of legal hunting hours (p.m.). Hunters should review all current refuge-specific regulations and any updated information prior to their hunt by visiting https://www.fws.gov/refuge/shiawassee/visit-us/activities/hunting . |
Veterans preference drawings: Pointe Mouillee Nov. 10; Fish Point, Harsens Island, Nayanquing Point and Shiawassee River Nov. 11; Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center Nov. 12.
Sources: waterfowl summary; Wetland Wonders, confirmed October 22, 2026.
Pure Michigan Hunt, transfers and hunts with no drawing
Three Pure Michigan Hunt winners each get a full year of licenses; residents among them can hunt elk. Antlerless deer and fall turkey need no draw at all.
Pure Michigan Hunt
Three winners each year receive elk (residents), bear, antlerless deer, spring and fall turkey and base licenses plus a reserved waterfowl hunt and a prize package; $5 applications.
Applications Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026, $5 each, unlimited; drawing January 2027 (three winners). Elk, bear, antlerless deer, spring and fall turkey, base license and a reserved waterfowl hunt; transferable.
Hunt transfers
Bear and elk drawing success may be transferred to eligible youth or people with an advanced illness (Michigan.gov/HuntTransfers).
Waiting list March 1-July 10. Transfers to youth 16 and under who applied unsuccessfully or anyone with an advanced illness; transfer forms due Sept. 1.
Antlerless deer
No drawing in 2026 (universal licenses over the counter; UP antlerless access permit drawing eliminated). WCO 3.104 application rules remain for any application-only units.
Fall turkey
No drawing; licenses on sale Aug. 15, 10 a.m. TMU M quota 2,200 first-come.
Sources: Pure Michigan Hunt; hunt transfers; antlerless and fall turkey, confirmed October 22, 2026.
Michigan drawing questions
How many points does a Michigan bear license take?
It depends on unit and hunt. In 2025 Red Oak hunt 0020 took 9–10 resident points; several late UP hunts drew at 0 or 1.
Can nonresidents draw a Michigan bear license?
Yes. Residents and nonresidents are drawn together, but no more than 5% of each hunt’s licenses go to nonresidents.
Can nonresidents hunt Michigan elk?
No. The elk drawing is for Michigan residents only; a nonresident Pure Michigan Hunt winner is not eligible for the elk license.
Who gets drawn for Michigan elk, and how?
Elk uses weighted chances (residents only; region-proportional; lifetime ineligibility after an any-elk license, 10 years after antlerless).
When is the spring turkey application?
For spring 2026 it ran Jan. 1-Feb. 1, 2026. The DNR has not printed the 2027 window or quotas.
How do reserved waterfowl hunts work?
Apply Aug. 1-28, 2026 for $5 with two hunt choices and up to four in a party; results come Sept. 14, 2026.
Do I need a drawing for antlerless deer?
No drawing in 2026 (universal licenses over the counter; UP antlerless access permit drawing eliminated).
How do I win the Pure Michigan Hunt?
Buy $5 applications, as many as you like, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026. Three winners are drawn in January.
When do Michigan bear applications open and close?
The window is May 1-June 1, 2026 and the fee is $5. Results June 22, 2026; leftovers July 6 (applicants) and July 13 (all).
The DNR wording is the final word
Michigan no longer prints one hunting digest. The DNR posts eight species summaries instead, and the Wildlife Conservation Order behind them is the legal text. Everything here was read from those on October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain); fidelis_o (CC BY 2.0); rkramer62 (CC BY 2.0); Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).