AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine wildlife biologists say the state should cut back moose hunting permits by nearly a quarter to meet public demand to view the animals in the wild.
The Portland Press Herald reports that state biologists made the proposal to cut the coveted permits by 24 percent on Wednesday.
Maine Wildlife Division Director Judy Camuso says the statewide herd appears healthier than in recent years when moose have struggled with parasites. But she says cutting the permits would help meet the objective of allowing more people to view them.
Under the proposal, the number of permits given out this year would drop to 2,140. The cuts would take place in five of the state's 29 wildlife districts.
The permits are subject to a lottery that attracts tens of thousands of applicants.