The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to apply today for their chance to win the hunt of a lifetime through the Pure Michigan Hunt. The drawing opportunity opened March 1.

There are three lucky winners each year. 2015 PMH winner Bruce Shaneour with spring turkeyEighteen Michigan hunters have won the Pure Michigan Hunt since the drawings started in 2009. Each winner receives an elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, and antlerless deer license, and on opening morning of waterfowl season, winners get first choice at any of Michigan's world-class managed waterfowl hunt areas across the state.

The additional prize package that winners take home changes annually based on the Michigan businesses and organizations that join the Pure Michigan Hunt. Past years' winners have received rifles, shotguns, crossbows, pop-up blinds, camouflage clothing packages, guided hunts and much more.

Recent winners Mike DiLorenzo of Rochester, Jason Eurich of Saginaw and Mike Sikkenga of Whitehall collected their complete prize packages at February's Natural Resources Commission meeting.

Pure Michigan Hunt applications can be purchased for $5 each in unlimited quantities, anywhere hunting licenses are sold or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. All that's needed is the full name, driver's license number and birthdate of the person entering in the drawing.

The current prize package is just starting to be compiled. Visit www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt to watch the prize package grow as new businesses and organizations come on board.

Pure Michigan Hunt winners can now transfer one or all of their licenses to another eligible hunter. This will allow hunters – and their friends and family members – to buy as many Pure Michigan Hunt applications as they want for both themselves and others. Instead of needing to know other hunters' driver's license numbers, addresses and birthdates to apply on their behalf, Pure Michigan Hunt winners now have the ability to give one or more of their licenses away to whomever they choose or keep all of the licenses for themselves.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Contact: Jordyn Richardson, 269-685-6851 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815