MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont's annual auction of five moose hunting permits closed on August 14, with $32,494.50 taken in from the five winning bids. The auction helps fund Fish & Wildlife Department educational programs, such as the Green Mountain Conservation Camps for youths.

Bids do not include the cost of a hunting license ($25 for residents and $100 for nonresidents) and a moose hunting permit fee ($100 for residents and $350 for nonresidents). Winning bidders can choose to hunt in any one of Vermont's Wildlife Management Units open for moose hunting.

Auction winners were as follows:
Shane Brady, New Hampshire, $9,100.00
A. James Szabo, Pennsylvania, $6,541.50
Marcus Hampers, New Hampshire, $6,001.00
Matthew Boyer, New Hampshire, $5,651.00
Jesse Moore, Indiana, $5,201.00

The Fish & Wildlife Department held a lottery July 17, when 335 moose hunting permit winners were drawn from the more than 11,600 people who applied.

Hunters are expected to take close to 200 moose during Vermont's moose hunting seasons. Archery moose season is October 1-7. Regular moose season is October 18-23. Wildlife biologists estimate Vermont has 2,500 moose statewide.

"Our management goal is to keep Vermont's moose herd in balance with available habitat," said Cedric Alexander, Vermont's moose project leader. "Carefully constructed hunting regulations enable us to enjoy having moose in Vermont on a sustainable basis, while their numbers are maintained at levels that fit habitat capacity and the needs of people."

Media Contacts: Mark Scott 802-777-4217; Cedric Alexander 802-751-0105