Looks like the Biologists are getting the last word.
From the Maine Dept IF&G
quote: "Reduction In Moose Permits Impacts Availability Of
Hunting Lodge Permits
Due to a peak year for winter ticks and their impac
t on the moose population this winter,
the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is
reducing the overall number of moose
permits available to hunters this fall.
On May 9, The IFW?s advisory council accepted the d
epartment's recommendation to
reduce the number of moose permits available for th
e 2014 season. This fall, the
department will issue 3095 permits statewide, down
from the 4,110 that were available
last year.
?Based upon the research of our biologists, I feel
it is prudent to decrease the number of
female moose permits available,? said IFW Commissio
ner Chandler Woodcock.
?Decreasing the amount of permits will help lessen
the impact of winter tick on the
state?s moose population.?
In particular, the department decreased the number
of antlerless only permits that are
available to hunters. Antlerless only permits were
decreased in wildlife management
districts 1-5, 7-9 and 12-13. This is the northern
and northwestern part of Maine
including northern the northern portions of Oxford,
Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis,
Penobscot and Aroostook counties.
Under a new law that was passed in 2014, if the num
ber of moose permits available was
over 3,140, 10% of the number in excess of 3,140 wo
uld be available to hunting lodges if
they met certain criteria.
The 3,095 permits that are now available is under t
he threshold of 3,140 permits, and
unfortunately the department will be unable to issu
e any permits to hunting lodges this
year."
The preceding news release from the ME IF&W :
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/aboutus/news_events/pressreleases/single.shtml?id=620095