Moose lottery set for Saturday

AUGUSTA — Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in conjunction with the City of Augusta will hold the annual moose lottery at Mill Park this Saturday, June 10. Starting at 2 p.m., the names of the winners will be read.

“The Maine Moose Hunt is known as the hunt of a lifetime, and every year, hunters from all over the east coast join us in hopes of being selected and hearing their name called out,” said Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso. “We are excited to host this year’s festival in Maine’s Capital City, along the shores of the Kennebec, and hope you can join us for the fun and events planned for Mill Park.”

Since 1999, the Department has rotated the lottery location throughout the state. Prior to 1999, it was always held in Augusta. In more recent years, lotteries have been held in Skowhegan, Greenville, Presque Isle, Bethel, Kittery, and Jackman. Next year’s moose hunting permit lottery location will be announced at this year’s lottery.

The City of Augusta is planning a variety of events starting at 10 a.m. for those attending the lottery, including Moose Maine-iah Monster Truck, vendors, kids’ games, live music by Pat Colwell Band, corn hole tournament, and food trucks. To learn more or to sign up to be a vendor at the event, visit augustamaine.gov/departments/community_services/moose_lottery.php

At 2 on June 10, the moose permit lottery drawing will commence. There is no charge to attend the lottery and the reading of names is expected to last three hours.

This year, 4,105 permits will be drawn in the random chance lottery from a pool of over 72,000 applicants.

Maine’s moose hunt is designed to manage the moose population. By modifying the number and type of moose permits available to hunters, the department can manage the moose population to provide for hunting and viewing opportunities, maintain a healthy moose population, and limit the number of moose/vehicle accidents.

For those prospective moose hunters who can’t make it to the lottery drawing, the names of permit winners will be posted on the Department’s website by 6 p.m. on the day of the event. Visit mefishwildlife.com to access the list once it has been posted.

For more information on moose hunting in Maine, visit mefishwildlife.com/moosehunt.