May 24, 2016

IFW News -- Kittery Trading Post Hosting Maine Moose Permit Lottery on June 11

The annual lottery event attracts hundreds of hopeful hunters, anxious to see if they will be one of 2,140 selected from a pool of over 55,000 people who will get the chance at the hunt of a lifetime.

AUGUSTA, Maine ? The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is pleased to announce that the drawing for Maine?s moose permit lottery will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, Maine.

This year, 2,140 names will be drawn in the random chance lottery from a pool of over 55,000 applicants.

The event will be held under a tent at Kittery Trading Post. Festivities kick off at 9:00 a.m. Food will be available from Kittery Trading Post?s new ?Lobster Pot? restaurant located on the patio and over one dozen local vendors will be on site offering everything from guided hunting trips to handmade crafts and goods. Staff from the Department including local biologists and game wardens will be on hand at the event as well.

?At 2:00 p.m., we will commence the drawing and announce the name of the first hunter fortunate enough to be selected,? said Commissioner Chandler Woodcock.

Since 1999, the Department has rotated the lottery throughout the state. Prior to 1999, it was always held in Augusta. In more recent years, lotteries have been held in Scarborough, Oquossoc, Greenville, Presque Isle, and Bethel.

"We hold the drawing in different areas of the state so that people can have the opportunity to be part of it first hand," stated Commissioner Woodcock. "Nothing pleases us more than to have members in the audience react to being selected," he said.

For those prospective moose hunters who can?t make it to the lottery drawing, the names of permit winners will be posted on the Department?s web site starting at 6:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Visit www.mefishwildlife.com to access the list once it has been posted.

There is no charge to attend the event at Kittery Trading Post. In the past, the reading of names has lasted approximately 3-4 hours. Kittery Trading Post is located at 301 U.S. Route One, Kittery, Maine.

For more information on moose hunting in Maine, visit www.mefishwildlife.com