The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the Michigan elk and bear hunting license application period is now open, and hunters can apply for those licenses through June 1.

There will be 330 elk and 12,993 bear hunting licenses available for the 2008 hunting seasons.

Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. Bear licenses are available for both residents and non-residents; however, no more than two percent of licenses in any bear management unit will be issued to non-residents. Hunters may apply online at www.michigan.gov/dnr, at any authorized license agent, or at a DNR Operations Service Center. A nonrefundable $4 fee is charged at the time of application.

Applicants may call 517-373-1263 prior to June 1 for assistance with their application and may check the drawing results online at the DNR Web site beginning June 23 for elk and June 30 for bear. See the 2008 Michigan Elk and Bear Hunting Guides for more details about the application processes.