From left, are 2023 Pure Michigan Hunt winners Robert E. Beaudry, Richard Austin and Nathan Whitmore with their prize packages. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo)

LANSING — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognized the 2023 Pure Michigan Hunt winners — Richard Austin and Nathan Whitmore from southwest Michigan and Robert E. Beaudry of Kingsford– during Thursday’s meeting of the Natural Resources Commission at Lansing Community College’s west campus.

The trio each will receive licenses to hunt elk, bear, spring and fall turkey, and antlerless deer, and will have the first pick at a managed waterfowl area for a reserved hunt.

The winners collected their prize packages, made possible by sponsors Ducks Unlimited-Michigan Chapter; National Wild Turkey Federation; National Deer Association; Michigan United Conservation Clubs; Michigan Duck Hunters Association; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Michigan Outdoor News; Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers; Bear Creek Hunt Club; Hearing Life; Saginaw Field & Stream Club; St. Clair Flats Waterfowlers Inc.; Buck Baits; Commemorative Bucks of Michigan; Hangry Brand; and Holland Doctors of Audiology.

In addition to record revenue generated for wildlife, this year’s competition was noteworthy for Beaudry being the first-ever winner from the Upper Peninsula.

“We set two new records during the 2022 sales year, with more than 27,000 applicants purchasing nearly 77,000 applications,” said Pure Michigan Hunt program lead Eric Hilliard.

Applications for the January 2024 drawing are on sale through Dec. 31. Applications are $5 each. More information is available at Michigan.gov/PMH.