The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the winners of the 2026 Pure Michigan Hunt, one of the most sought-after hunting opportunities in the Midwest. Each year, only three applicants are randomly selected from tens of thousands of entries to receive a premier multi-species hunting package.
2026 Pure Michigan Hunt Winners
The three hunters selected in the January 2026 drawing are:
- Brian A.
- Curtis S.
- Leona G.
These winners were randomly drawn from among thousands of applicants who purchased $5 entries during the 2025 application year.
What the Winners Receive
Pure Michigan Hunt winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive hunting packages offered in any state. Each winner is eligible to purchase licenses for:
- One elk (Michigan residents only)
- One bear
- Spring turkey
- Fall turkey
- Antlerless deer
- First pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area
In addition to licenses, winners also receive outdoor gear prize packages worth thousands of dollars from program sponsors. Unlike most limited-license drawings, Pure Michigan Hunt tags allow winners to hunt in any open unit and season statewide for each species, greatly increasing flexibility and success potential.
A True “Hunt of a Lifetime”
The Pure Michigan Hunt is widely considered one of the most valuable hunting drawings in the country because it combines multiple premium species into a single package. The program also supports conservation—each application helps fund wildlife habitat restoration and management projects across Michigan.
Many past winners have taken advantage of the opportunity to pursue multiple species in a single year, often completing hunts for elk, bear, turkey, deer, and waterfowl within the same season cycle.
Applications Open for the Next Drawing
Hunters who missed out this year can still apply for the next drawing. Applications for the next Pure Michigan Hunt are available throughout the year, with the drawing typically held each January and winners announced shortly afterward.
With unlimited entries allowed and relatively low odds, the Pure Michigan Hunt remains a popular option for hunters hoping to turn a few dollars into the opportunity of a lifetime.
