State to stage ‘virtual’ moose permit lottery due to pandemic
Maine’s annual moose permit lottery, which was to have been staged live in front of a large crowd in Jackman in June, has been switched to a ‘virtual’ format instead due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced on April 16 that the lottery will be broadcast live on June 13 at 1 p.m.
“We’re still working on finding the best format [for the broadcast] to include as many people as possible and will release more information about the broadcast after we work those details out,” said DIF&W communications director Mark Latti.
Original plans had the event being staged at Unity College’s Sky Lodge in Jackman. Moose permit lotteries typically draw several hundred spectators who show up to learn if their names will be drawn.
According to the DIF&W news release, the names of the lucky hunters — 3,135 permits have been proposed to be allotted — will be drawn, and special presentations will be offered by department biologists and wardens. Those presentations will focus on moose biology, management and hunting techniques.
Jackman will host the moose permit lottery in 2021, according to the department.
— Sept. 28-Oct. 3 in Wildlife Management Districts 1-6, 10, 11, 18, 19 and 27/28, with 936 bull permits.
— Oct. 12-17, in WMDs 1-14, 17, 18, 19 and 27/28, with 1,414 bull permits.
— Oct. 26-31 in WMDs 1-6 with 745 cow permits.
— Nov. 2-28 in WMDs 15 and 16, with 40 any-moose permits.
The deadline to register for the permit lottery is May 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Maine’s modern moose hunt was first held in 1980, on an experimental basis. After a one-year hiatus, it returned in 1982 and has been staged annually ever since.