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Moose Permit FAQ
Helpful Information
Three year waiting period. Anyone receiving a Maine moose hunting permit must wait three years before being eligible to win another permit. If you received a permit in 2021, 2022, or 2023, you will not be eligible to win in 2024, but you may apply for Bonus Points Only.
Bonus points are awarded for each consecutive year the applicant has applied since 1998 and was not selected for a moose permit. Each bonus point accumulated gives the individual an additional chance in the drawing. Bonus points are accumulated as follows:
0 to 5 years = one point per year
5 to 10 years = two points per year
11 to 15 years = three points per year
16+ years = 10 points per year
Skip a year and not lose your bonus points. You can skip one year and keep your bonus points. However, you will lose your bonus points if you fail to apply or purchase bonus points in any 2 consecutive years.
Change or add subpermittee. A moose permit winner is allowed to change their subpermittee or their alternate subpermittee until 30 days prior to the start of the moose season. It is now illegal to sell a subpermittee or alternate subpermittee designation.
Residents can only buy one chance for $15.
Nonresident permit fee is $585. Nonresident options for purchasing chances have not changed. Nonresidents are still allocated 8% of the permits issued in each district.
If you have additional questions not answered below or need assistance regarding a moose permit or moose hunting, please contact us at: ifw.moosepermit@maine.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When is the deadline to submit a moose permit application?
A. The 2024 moose permit lottery application period was April 1, 2024 until 11:59 pm on May 15, 2024.
Q. The application says I only have 9 points, but I should have a lot more points by now as I have been applying for many years and purchase many chances each year.
A. The bonus point system started in 1998. If you have been applying every year since 1998, the most bonus points you can have in 2024 would be 140 points. Bonus points are awarded per the following: 0 - 5 years = one point per year, 6 - 10 years = 2 points per year, 11 - 15 years = 3 points per year, 16+ years = 10 points per year.
Q. Do I need to provide my hunting license when I apply?
A. No, you do not need to purchase a hunting license until you are drawn to receive a permit.
Q. When is the drawing and how will I know if I was drawn for a permit?
A. The 2024 moose permit drawing was conducted on June 15, 2024, and the results are available online. All winners will be notified approximately 2 weeks after the drawing by mail and email.
Q. Do I need to provide my hunting license when I apply?
A. No, you do not need to purchase a hunting license until you are drawn to receive a permit.
Q. I'm not sure which wildlife management district I'm in. How would I find that information?
A. Check out the interactive WMD map or download and print a PDF description or map.
Q. What happens if I skip a year in applying?
A. You will keep your bonus points. If you skip two consecutive years, you will lose your bonus points.
Q. What is the age limit for applying for a permit?
A. Persons under 10 years of age on the opening day of the open moose season are eligible to apply for a bonus point only to build bonus points but cannot win a permit.
Q. I submitted my application but did not receive a confirmation. How do I know that you received my application?
A. If you applied online and did not receive a confirmation, you can email ifw.moosepermit@maine.gov or call us at (207) 287-8000.
Q. Can I edit my application after I submit it?
A. Yes. To edit your application, go back to the lottery application page and reenter your information. After you hit continue you will be asked for your confirmation number which you received when you submitted your application initially. Then you can edit your application and will receive a new confirmation email.
Note: If you incorrectly entered your contact information on the first page, you will need to email us at ifw.moosepermit@maine.gov or call us at (207) 287-8000.
Q. I don't remember if I have submitted my moose permit application for this year. Can you tell me if you have received my application?
A. If you applied online, you can go back to the online application and enter your name and date of birth again. If you have already applied online, the system will indicate that you have already submitted an application.
Q. My last name has changed; how do I update my name without losing my bonus points?
A. First you will need to apply to the lottery with your previous name, then email us at ifw.moosepermit@maine.gov to have the system updated with your new name. Please know that if you have updated your last name in the MOSES system for your hunting or fishing license, you still need to update your last name for the moose lottery as it is a separate system.
Q. What is a subpermittee and alternate subpermittee?
A. The subpermittee is a person who can hunt with the permittee and either the permittee or the subpermittee can kill the moose. Only one moose can be killed per permit, so the permittee and subpermittee must be physically in the presence of each other without the aid of radios or similar devices so that you don't both kill a moose.
Upon application to the Department, the permittee may change that person's subpermittee or alternate subpermittee until 30 days prior to the start of the moose hunting season for which the permit was issued.
If the subpermittee cannot go on the hunt, you have up to 5 business days to switch your alternate subpermittee to be your subpermittee. The permittee must always be present - the subpermittee cannot hunt alone.
Q. I was a subpermittee on a permit last year. Can I apply this year myself?
A. Yes, you can apply this year.
Q. Can I be a subpermittee on more than one application?
A. Yes, you can be listed as a subpermittee on as many applications as you wish and can serve as the subpermittee. You cannot harvest more than the bag limit for the year.
Q. I harvested a moose the previous year as the permit holder, may I be a subpermittee this year?
A. Yes, you may be a subpermittee the following year after you were a permittee, and harvest a moose. You cannot win a permit for three years after the year of being drawn.
Q. I am a resident of Maine. Can I list a nonresident to be my subpermittee or alternate (or vice versa)?
A. Yes, you can list a person from another state to be your subpermittee or alternate subpermittee. It doesn't matter whether the subpermittee or alternate subpermittee is a resident or a nonresident. The permittee will be the one purchasing the permit.
Q. I believe I should have a lot more points than I do since I have been applying for many years and purchase many chances each year.
A. The bonus point system started in 1998. If you have been applying every year since 1998, the most bonus points you can have in 2024 would be 140 points. Bonus points are awarded per the following: 0 - 5 years = one point per year, 6 - 10 years = 2 points per year, 11 - 15 years = 3 points per year, 16+ years = 10 points per year.
Q. Is there any certain number of bonus points that will guarantee me a permit?
A. No. Your bonus points accumulate until you are drawn (as long as you apply yearly), and each point puts your name into the drawing an extra time (in addition to your chances purchased), so your odds increase as your bonus points accumulate. However Maine residents that are 65 years of age or older with 30 bonus points are guaranteed a permit.
Q. I was one of the ten highest bidders for the moose auction last year. Can I apply for the auction and lottery again this year?
A. You can apply every year for the auction even if you receive an auction permit the year before. Also, winning the bid for an auction permit does not restrict you from applying for a permit in the regular permit drawing the next year.
Q. I am a resident of Maine. Can I purchase additional chances in the lottery?
A. No, you cannot. Only nonresidents can purchase additional chances. The fact that nonresidents can purchase additional chances does not hurt your chances to be drawn for a permit. We set aside 8% of all permits for nonresidents and the remainder of the permits go to residents. The resident and nonresident drawings are held separately.
Q. If I list 10 choices for districts, will I get my first choice if it's available?
A. When your name is drawn, we will give you your first choice if it is available. If not, we will give you your second choice, or third, etc.
Q. Do I have to put down all 10 choices for Wildlife Management Districts?
A. No, but you do have to put down at least one WMD choice.
Q. What is the adaptive unit moose hunt, and how does it differ from a standard moose permit?
A. Learn more about the adaptive unit hunt.
Q. If I check the box that says I do not want to be considered for an antlerless only permit, does that affect my chances of being drawn?
A. When the drawing is held, if you indicated that you do not want an antlerless-only permit, the computer will pass over your name when the antlerless only permits are being drawn and not select you for that permit. You will not lose your points, and it will not affect your chances of being drawn for a bull-only permit.
Q. I prefer a "bull only" permit but would take an "antlerless only" permit if that was all that was available when my name is drawn. What should I check on my application?
A. Check the "yes" box in the section that states "I will accept an antlerless only permit if that is the only permit available at the time you are drawn." We draw the "bull only" permits first. If you are drawn for the "antlerless only" permit then you know that there were not any "bull only" permits left by the time your name was drawn.
Q. When will I receive my permit?
A. Your moose permit will be mailed to you approximately 2 weeks before the season begins.
Q. Can I transfer my permit to someone else if I can't use it?
A. In most cases, moose permits are non-transferable. However, in exceptional, extenuating circumstances there may be cases when the Commissioner determines that the holder of a valid moose permit may transfer that permit to a family member who meets specific requirements in law. The family member must be either the transferor's spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, grandparent, stepparent, brother, sister, half-sister, half-brother or adopted child. A transferor and transferee are both subject to the elimination of any accumulated bonus points and the 3-year waiting period.
Q. I was drawn for a moose permit but will be unable to hunt this year. Can my subpermittee hunt by him or herself? Will I lose my points? Will I be able to hunt again next year?
A. The permittee must be present at all times. The subpermittee cannot hunt on their own without the permittee You can refuse your permit, but you will lose all bonus points that you have accumulated, and you will be required to wait three years before you can apply for a permit again. You can apply for points only during the three-year waiting period.