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MOOSE HUNT: Success Rate for Hunters at 71 percent

November 12, 2007 - AUGUSTA -- The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's preliminary numbers are in from this fall's moose hunt, and more than 2,000 hunters were successful in their quest for a moose this year.

The department issued 2,880 permits with 2,052 reporting success -- a preliminary rate for hunters in 2007 or 71 percent.

Moose season ended Oct. 13.

"Moose hunting in Maine is the opportunity of a lifetime for many hunters," said DIF&W commissioner Roland Martin, "so it is always pleasing to see so many hunters having success in the field."

In 2006, 2,329 out of 2,825 hunters were successful in getting their moose, for a success rate of 82 percent. In 2005, 76 percent of the hunters were successful.

Unseasonably warm weather hampered hunters during this past September season. High temperatures in the 80s during the day kept moose from moving and kept hunters searching.

The moose season is a split season comprised of two weeks. This year there were 1,133 permits issued in the September season, and 1,747 permits issued in October. There were 2,100 antlered or bull permits issued and 780 antlerless or cow permits issued.

Permit holders are assigned to a wildlife management district in which to hunt moose. The WMDs have helped the department adjust hunting pressure within these districts. The number of moose permits and what type of permit that are assigned to each district is based upon moose population goals and objectives.

The department is looking to decrease the number of moose in northeastern Aroostook County, increase the moose population in the Moosehead Lake area and stabilize the population in other parts of the state.

SOURCE: Kennebec Journal

DATE: 11-10-2007



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