AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be conducting a controlled moose hunt in Aroostook County in response to farmers' concerns about crop depredation and to address the increasing incidence of moose/vehicle collisions along Routes 1 and 161. The controlled hunt, which will occur between August 17 and September 19, 2009, was approved by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council on Wednesday, April 29. "With a solid plan in place that was written by our biologists, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is implementing this controlled moose hunt to alleviate the negative impacts caused by moose in parts of eastern Aroostook County," according to Commissioner Roland "Danny" Martin. "Broccoli and cauliflower crops are being damaged by moose, and the number of moose/vehicle collisions, which can prove fatal to humans, remains high. Our intention with this year's controlled moose hunt is to reduce or alleviate problems in this area where recreational hunting could not." For several years, IF&W has increased the number of moose permits during the annual fall recreational hunt to respond to the landowners' concerns for crop damage and communities' requests for safer roads. With the controlled hunt, IF&W has greater flexibility to effectively manage moose in areas that may have limited access or are in "non-traditional" habitats, such as an agricultural-woodland mix, that may not be attractive to hunters. The controlled hunt is NOT open to all hunters. Persons eligible to participate include:
To avoid confusion with the recreational moose hunt, applications for this controlled hunt WILL NOT be available on the Department's website until Monday, May 18. The online application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on June 14, 2009. A random chance drawing will be held on June 15. The winners' names will be posted on IF&W's website. Selections are final. Selected landowners and Guides may hunt during the entire five-week period (excluding Sundays). There is no application charge. Permit fees are $52 for residents and $477 for nonresidents. The permits will be allocated as follows:
Additional information about the controlled moose hunt is available on IF&W's website or call (207) 287-8000. |
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