BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
[email protected]
UNITY — State officials announced this week that they will release 51 permits for the upcoming statewide moose hunting season, keeping permit levels the same the 2017 season.
During the New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game’s annual permit-setting process, biologists said that the state’s moose populations remain consistent with the previous year. The number of permits issued each season reflect population growth or decline, with no permits issued in regions where moose are struggling.
“Hunting season recommendations are science-based; they maximize hunting opportunity while safeguarding the broad ecological, recreational, and economic values that wildlife represents to our diverse citizenry, consistent with long-term wildlife population goals and objectives spelled out in the Department’s existing game management plan,” Fish and Game’s announcement said.
The 2018 moose hunt will take place from Oct. 20 to Oct. 28. Permit winners are slated to be announced on June 15.
Competition for a coveted moose hunting permit is fierce as permits are drawn by lottery. Each applicant is allowed to enter the lottery once yearly, translating to a single point for the drawing. For each consecutive year that unsuccessful applicants enter the lottery, they are awarded an additional bonus point that rolls into the following year. Bonus points accrue over time, giving multiple-time applicants better chances at being drawn.
Of the 6,850 people who entered the lottery last year, 51 permits were drawn, giving applicants a one in 134 chance of winning. The first moose hunt was held in 1988, when 75 permits were drawn.
Populations of the animal have seen a steady decline as a result of disease, loss of habitat and historical overhunting. In 1996, moose populations hit a peak at an estimated 7,600 moose statewide.
The state’s central region – including Sullivan County — is still among the state’s healthiest moose populations. Central region moose hunters in 2017 measured a perfect success rate, the only region in the state since at least 2007 to measure better than a 91 percent success rate. A single moose was taken in the H1 sub-region, covering Claremont and the surrounding towns.
With deer populations increasing across much of the state, Fish and Game also announced that they will increase permit issuance in 11 of the state’s 20 sub-regions. Deer overpopulation is associated with the spread of disease and ticks to moose populations.
In areas where deer populations are greater than the natural carrying capacity, overfeeding can place high burdens on the species.
“In a nutshell, the regulations give the Department the authority to regulate deer feeding when evidence indicates that said feeding is causing deer mortality or is threatening public safety,” the report said.
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