N.H. Moose Lottery Underway

Is this the year you're finally going to hunt your moose?

Feeling lucky?

Now is the time to enter the New Hampshire moose hunt lottery. The cost to enter the lottery is $15 for residents and $25 for nonresidents and is nonrefundable.

The deadline for entering is May 30. The moose season runs Oct. 18-26.

"New Hampshire offers a variety of quality moose hunting opportunities," said Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for New Hampshire Fish and Game in a news release. "Whether you're looking for a trophy bull, a wilderness hunting adventure or simply filling your freezer with meat, you can expect the moose hunt to fill your expectations."

Most permits are either-sex permits.

With an estimated moose herd of 6,000 animals. Last year more than 16,700 applicants tried their luck for a permit. The number of permits available is capped based on the prior year's sales of nonresident licenses, recently about 15 percent to 17 percent of the total. The odds of being drawn last year was 1 in 18 for residents and 1 in 57 for nonresidents, according to the release.

Success rates as high as 91 percent were seen in some Wildlife Management Units. Statewide, the success rate was 71 percent. The largest bull killed weighed 900 pounds dressed out. The largest spread was 65 inches. The average adult bull was 736 pounds and 5 1/2 years old with an average spread of 52.8 inches. The largest cow dressed out at 750 pounds.

"Don't wait until the last minute to apply," Rines said . "If paper applications are incomplete or not filled out properly prior to the deadline, they are returned and you may have an opportunity to correct and resubmit the application before the deadline."

Lucky hunters will be selected through a computerized random drawing June 20.

If selected, a license is $150 for a resident and $500 for a nonresident on top of the cost of a New Hampshire hunting license.

For more information on moose hunting in New Hampshire, visit the Fish and Game Web site.