MWLOA seeking lacrosse officials

BRUNSWICK — The Maine Women’s Lacrosse Officials’ Association is offering official classes for adults who want to officiate girls’ lacrosse this spring. All prospective officials are required to attend a series of classes which are taught by U.S. Lacrosse-certified trainers.

Classes will be held in four different locations for four or two consecutive weeks depending on the class location. New officials must attend a minimum of three classes to qualify for the 2016 season.

The cost of the course for new officials is $55 and is non-refundable. This covers the cost of class materials and a 2016 US Lacrosse Rule Book. This also covers 2016 MWLOA dues.

All newly trained officials will receive instructions on how to register with U.S. Lacrosse during the last session of their four-week course. All officials MUST be members of U.S. Lacrosse before officiating a game. The annual membership dues to U.S. Lacrosse is $50. All officials MUST complete a background check through U.S. Lacrosse or the Maine State CHRC before being assigned games.

Classes will be held at Thornton Academy on March 7, 14, 21 and 28 (6 to 8 p.m.), Falmouth High School on March 3, 10, 17, 24 (6-8 p.m.), Thomas College in Waterville on March 28 and April 4 ( 6-8 p.m.) and Husson College in Bangor on March 24, 31 (5-8 p.m.). Final two hours for Husson and Thomas recruits will correspond with on-field training at the Maine Lax Challenge play day on April 8, afternoon/evening, at Thomas College in Waterville.

April through June officiating opportunities are typically six days a week, with some Sunday youth games. Middle school games usually start at 3:30 pm weekdays, with junior  games beginning at 4 p.m. and later.

MWLOA is also training high school teens to be junior officials. Teens must attend one training clinic. Clinics will occur on a weekend day and last five hours. The first clinic is scheduled for March 6 at Cony High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two other clinics (one in the Brunswick to Falmouth area and one in Portland or further south) are in development.

Adult and teen candidates are asked to pre-register for classes through the MWLOA website to ensure enough rule books and materials are available. Note that registration for junior officials and adult officials are placed on different subpages. For more information, and to register, go to www.mainewloa.com, email Barbara Snapp, trainee coordinator at mwloatraining4umps@gmail.com, or call Barbara Snapp at 721-0708.

Moose permit online application process now open

AUGUSTA — Hunters who dream about the hunt of a lifetime will be happy to know that Maine moose permit online application process is now open, as the 2016 Moose Permit Lottery is accepting applications.

Theapplication process is fast and simple and you receive instant confirmation that you have successfully entered the lottery. To apply, please visit www.mefishwildlife.com. The deadline for online applications is 11:59 p.m. on May 16.

Paper applications are available by contacting the Department at (207) 287-8000 or from our website at www.mefishwildlife.com. Completed paper applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2016 or delivered to 284 State St., Augusta, Maine by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2016.

Maine residents are awarded bonus points for each consecutive year the applicant has applied for the lottery since 1998 without being selected and each bonus point gives the applicant an additional chance in the drawing.

For Maine residents, bonus points are earned at the rate of one per year for years one to five, two per year for years six to 10, three per year for years 11 to 15 and 10 per year for years 16 and beyond.

Since 2011, applicants can skip a year and not lose their bonus points. So if they applied in 2014 but not in 2015, they still have their points available if they apply in 2016.

The moose permit drawing will take place on June 11, 2016 at Kittery Trading Post in Kittery.

For more information about moose hunting in Maine and the moose permit lottery, please visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/lotteries/moose/index.htm