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Moose permits cut again

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The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department issued just 71 moose hunting permits this year.  Ten years ago the state allowed almost ten times as many permits.

The reduction in permits reflects a shrinking moose population.  The department is in the middle of a study of moose mortality.  So far they have found that a booming tick population is to blame, with many moose dying from anemia due to ticks.

Some hunters argue that moose are in such dire straits, the state shouldn’t issue any hunting permits.

“I think the hunt should be suspended,” said hunter David Fontaine of Gorham. “I’d like to be able to hunt moose in the future and if they keep not letting them propagate, I think they are going to die off. It’s a big money-maker for Fish and Game, so they keep it going.” 

Kristine Rines, Moose Project Leader for the department, argues that global warming is to blame for shorter winters and more ticks.  That means even if the state stops all hunting, the moose population would still suffer.

“We are faced with a changing climate, which, in turn, is changing the species composition of our wild world,” wrote Rines. “Will we care enough to address the factors that are causing climate change? If we do not, we must be prepared for a New Hampshire with far fewer moose, shrimp and purple finch, to name a few species that are currently in decline.” 

A fundraising auction for this year’s last two moose hunting permits ends August 5.

How do you think the state should address the moose population? Let us know in the comments.

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