Minn. DNR Likely To Cut Moose Hunt Permits In Half

BEMIDJI (AP) - Officials of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say they likely will cut the number of moose hunting permits in half for this fall's moose season.

That follows the latest moose population survey, which shows moose numbers continuing to decline in northeast Minnesota.

Last year, 212 permits were issued for the bulls-only moose season. The DNR is expected to reduce that to a little more than 100 permits for the season that starts in October.

DNR area wildlife manager Tom Rusch in Tower says there is no clear answer why the moose population is declining.

Rusch says he also doesn't expect reducing the number of hunting permits will have much impact on the decline.

The DNR says final moose permit numbers are not confirmed yet.