Why Is Maine’s Moose Lottery and Hunt Disappearing? – DownEast.Com
July 1, 2010
By George Smith
You’d have to conclude that hunters are losing interest in Maine’s moose hunt, judging by the huge decline in applicants in the state’s once-popular moose lottery.
Since lottery applications peaked in 1994 at 94,532, applications from residents have declined by 50 percent and from nonresidents by 37 percent.
In the last two years alone, applications have decreased by a stunning 23 percent.
The number of applications this year was the lowest in the twenty-eight years of the state’s modern moose hunt. A total of 49,729 hunters applied this year for moose hunting permits, including 37,012 residents and 12,717 nonresidents.
More than 60,000 resident and nonresident hunters applied for permits in the first regular moose hunting season in 1982. An initial “experimental” season held in 1980 attracted 36,636 applicants. That lottery was closed to nonresidents.
Department leaders said that the recession, high cost of the hunt, and lost interest on the part of hunters who have never won a permit are the reasons for the decline in sales.
They continue to deny that their decision in 2009 to stop printing and mailing applications to previous lottery participants, and instead to go to an online application process only, has made any difference. Clearly, it has. Click link below for full story!
N.H. moose hunt lottery deadline is May 28 | SeacoastOnline.com
May 24, 2010
CONCORD — Want a chance to hunt moose in New Hampshire this fall? Then you better get moving! The deadline for entering the 2010 New Hampshire Moose Hunt Lottery is Friday, May 28, 2010. You may be one of 395 lucky hunters who will be drawn for New Hampshire moose hunting permits – a chance for the adventure of a lifetime.It’s easy to enter. Visit http://www.huntnh.com to apply online or print a mail-in application, or pick up a lottery application from any license agent. The entry fee is $15 for New Hampshire residents and $25 for nonresidents nonrefundable. Each applicant can enter the moose hunt lottery once each year. You don’t need a current hunting license to enter.Related Stories Wild turkey season gets under way in Maine N.H. opens moose hunt lotteryA word to the wise: If possible, do apply online; it greatly reduces the chance of leaving information off or making a mistake. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply; every year we hear from disappointed people who missed out on the lottery because they ran into problems with their computer or Internet connection.Applications submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight, May 28, 2010, to be eligible for the lottery. If submitting a paper application by mail on May 28, take it to the post office and try to have it postmarked while you are there; just dropping it in a mailbox does not ensure that it will be postmarked by the deadline.Take advantage of the bonus point system to improve your chance of winning. Unsuccessful applicants build up a point each year they apply. Don’t miss a year, or you’ll lose your points!New Hampshire continues to have some of the best odds in the nation for drawing a moose hunt permit. The overall odds of being selected in last year’s lottery were 1 in 22 for New Hampshire residents and 1 in 63 for nonresidents.Winners will be selected through a computerized random drawing on June 18, 2010.New Hampshire’s 2010 moose hunt runs from October 16 to 24. Find out more about moose hunting in New Hampshire, at http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_moose.htm.
via N.H. moose hunt lottery deadline is May 28 | SeacoastOnline.com.
Take time to enter lottery for moose hunt – Bangor Daily News
January 27, 2010
By John Holyoke
BDN Staff
Take time to enter lottery for Sometime in June, hundreds of prospective moose hunters will head to L.L. Bean in Freeport to find out if this is finally the year they get to enjoy the hunt of a lifetime.
Of course, if you want to be included on the list of lucky hunters, you’ve got to enter the state-run permit lottery. And there’s no time like the present to take care of those simple logistics.
I know, I know. You’ve got plenty of time between now and then. You’ll get around to entering the lottery eventually.
Unfortunately, I’ve heard that before. Several times, in fact. Truth be told, three close acquaintances, two of whom I’ve actually gone moose hunting with, have missed out on past lotteries because … well … they just never got around to entering.
Believe me: You don’t want that to happen to you. Think of how sad you’ll be. Or, if that doesn’t work, think of how much grief your hunting buddies will give you. (If you want proof, I’ve got a couple of hunting buddies who can provide it).
This year a total of 3,140 moose permits will be allotted to hunters. No more than 10 percent of those permits will go to non-residents. The rest are for Mainers.
This year’s two primary moose seasons will run from Sept. 27 through Oct. 2 and from Oct. 11 through Oct. 16.
Additional hunts with fewer permits outstanding will be staged from Nov. 1 through 6 in Wildlife Management Districts 2, 3, 6 and 11, and from Nov. 1-27 in WMDs 15, 16, 23 and 26. A Maine hunt for Maine residents will be staged on Oct. 30, preceding the monthlong November season, in WMDs 15, 16, 23 and 26.
The simplest way to register for the permit lottery is to go to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Web site — www.mefishwildlife.com — and use the MOSES system.
Since the state has moved toward on-line lottery registration, and has stopped mailing out application forms to those who registered in past years, a number of people have voiced frustration with the process.
And while the DIF&W wants as many people as possible to register via the Internet, it understands that some folks just don’t have Internet access.
For those, there are a couple of options. First, the state will accept paper applications that you print off a computer and mail to them.
If that’s not an option, you can visit the DIF&W office in Augusta and fill out an application.
Finally, the DIF&W will send you an application if you send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to them at this address: Moose Permit Application Request, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 41 State House Station, 284 State –Street, Augusta, 04333-0041.
The deadline for entry via the Internet is 11:59 p.m. on May 14. Paper applications must be postmarked by April 1 or delivered personally to the DIF&W before 5 p.m. on April 1.
For Maine residents, one chance in the lottery will cost you $7, three chances cost $12 and six chances cost $22. Non-resident fees: $15 for one chance, $25 for three, $35 for six, or $55 for 10. Non-residents are allowed to purchase multiples of 10 chances at $55 each. Maine residents may only purchase seven or fewer chances.
Resident hunters who are selected in the lottery will then be required to pay a $52 permit fee before their hunt. Non-residents pay a $484 permit fee.
via Take time to enter lottery for moose hunt – Bangor Daily News.
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