AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has extended the deadline for Moose Lottery Permit paper applications by a month to May 1.

Persons who submit a paper application for the 2009 Moose Permit Lottery must have their entries postmarked by May 1 or deliver their applications to IF&W’s Augusta office by 5 p.m. on May 1.

This year, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife moved its Moose Lottery application process online. Applicants are finding the online system – at www.mefishwildlife.com – convenient and easy to use.

For people applying online, IF&W is extending the deadline for applications by six weeks. This year’s online moose lottery application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on May 15.

Because the application process was moved online, the Department did not print or mail paper applications in an effort to save costs.

Hunters still may request a printed copy of the application through the mail.