From the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
 
-- The winners of Vermont’s 2009 moose hunting permits were determined July 9 at a lottery drawing in Montpelier.  The computer-generated selection process randomly selected 1,230 winners from more than 14,000 applicants. 

People who applied last year and didn’t get a permit were given a bonus point, increasing their odds of winning a permit in future moose permit lotteries.       
 
A special priority drawing was held for five permits to go to applicants who have received, or are eligible to receive, a Campaign Ribbon for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan).  Valid applications were received from 106 people.  These five permits were drawn first.  Unsuccessful applicants from the Iraqi-Afghanistan drawing were included in the larger regular drawing that followed. All applicants for both drawings who did not receive a permit were awarded a bonus point to improve their chances in future moose permit lotteries.
  
Winners of this year’s moose hunting permits are posted in a searchable database on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com).  Click on “Hunting and Trapping” and then on “Lottery Applications and Winners.”
 
Those who didn’t win in the lottery may bid in a sealed-bid auction for five moose hunting permits.  To receive a 2009 Moose permit bid kit, contact the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT  05651-0501.  Telephone 802-241-3700 or email (fwinformation@state.vt.us).  The deadline for bids is August 4. 
 
Vermont law prohibits anyone who has held a Vermont moose hunting permit within any of the previous three calendar years from applying for a moose hunting permit or a bonus point in the current year.  This includes permits awarded through the auction bid process.