State wildlife staff outline proposal to split moose seasons; local guides and residents largely supportive

State moose biologist Lee Canton and regional staff met with local officials and residents to explain a proposal to split moose permits between separate September and October seasons in several hunting units. Canton said the agency is considering rulemaking that would divide existing permit totals roughly in half between the two seasons in affected units and that any change would be implemented only after the formal, multi-step rulemaking process. Why it matters: splitting permits into two shorter seasons is intended to reduce on-the-ground conflicts among hunters and with other recreational users, and to provide outfitter businesses with more opportunities spread across two separate weeks. Canton described the history of moose-season rulemaking, noting that since about 2000 the agency has managed seasons via rulemaking with an advisory council and public input. He said some eastern units had run split seasons for several years without receiving substantial complaints and that, for many units, splitting a total (for example a unit with 125 permits) into roughly two parts (e.g., 65 in September and 60 in October) would keep the total permit number unchanged while spreading hunting pressure. Local responses were largely favorable. James Cody, identified as executive director of the Maine Professional Guides Association, said the guides’ association supports the proposal because splitting permits keeps total opportunity steady while easing crowding and competitive pressure in confined areas; a local guide and other commenters said split seasons would help businesses and reduce conflict in the woods. A public commenter who identified as a guide said splitting would “take pressure off us in the woods” and increase guide opportunities. Canton and others emphasized weather-driven variability in success rates and told the board the agency had conducted professional surveys (by Responsive Management and university partners) to gather broader public input. Timing and process: Canton said there was no formal proposal on the table at the time of the meeting; if the department moved ahead with rulemaking in the fall, any permits arising from that rulemaking would be for the 2026 season. Canton said the department’s director asked staff to discuss the proposal with towns and stakeholders ahead of a potential rulemaking to give guides and local businesses more lead time. Discussion versus action: this presentation and the public comments were informational; the board did not take a formal vote on the moose-season proposal. Canton indicated he would report the local response back to his director and staff involved in the statewide review.