AUGUSTA – Moose hunters get their chance at a trophy starting on Monday, Sept. 26, when the first week of the two-week moose hunting season begins in northern and eastern portions of the state. The second week of the split season begins Monday, Oct. 10, in the northern two-thirds of the state.

“The moose hunt is the hunt of a lifetime for those lucky enough to get a permit,” said R. Dan Martin, commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “It is (also) a vital tool for the department in managing the state’s moose population.”

A total of 2,895 permits were issued for portions of the two-week season out of 68,841 applicants.

Almost 50,000 of the applicants were Maine residents.

The permittees were chosen in June at the annual lottery, which took place at Mountain Valley High School.