WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. Moose Hunt Starts Saturday

Vt. Moose Hunt Starts Saturday

Waterbury, Vermont - October 16, 2009

Vermont's six-day moose hunt starts Saturday morning.

The state issued about 1,200 permits this year. They had to hold a lottery because the permits are so popular. Hunters can take moose of either gender.

Fish and Wildlife officials use the hunt as a way to control the moose population. The animals have been involved in dangerous accidents and been found in suburban areas in recent years.

"We have been trying to reduce the moose population in the Northeast Kingdom. The success rate of hunters has been dropping, which is what we'd expect. It will be interesting to see if the permit numbers we've put out there are actually having the impact we want in terms of reducing the population in that area," says Vt. Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne LaRoche.

In December the state will conduct an aerial survey using infrared technology to track the moose population and see if control efforts have been effective.

Vermont has a second moose hunt for antlerless animals at the end of the month.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News