I just saw a news blurb a couple of days old that indicated draw odds for a Vermont moose permit was almost 10% this year.  Now, that is the general draw odds and actual non-resident draw odds could be much worse…even as low as 2-4%.  But, even those aren’t horrendous considering some of the once-in-a-lifetime hunts in the Rocky Mountain states for Shiras moose.

Now, I know how beautiful Vermont is having vacationed there 6 or 7 years ago with family near Smuggler’s Notch, and I can only imagine having a moose permit to explore that same territory with a firearm in hand.

If you’ve explored opportunities to hunt moose in the Lower 48, your eyes should perk up at the sight of 10% draw odds.  Add in the fact that fees are only $25 for non residents and not a huge temporary deposit of $1000+ are huge factors that will probably lead me to start applying for a Vermont moose permit of my own.

Just a couple of days ago, 1,230 people were drawn to receive moose permits from the 14,000 that applied.  Biologists expect that half of those successful applicants will successfully tag a moose.

Word to the wise, don’t start applying for a Vermont moose permit until you are serious about going moose hunting.  Why?  A bonus point is awarded every year to unsuccessful applicants.  However, you must apply every year to sustain your bonus point accumulation total.  If you forget one year or decide this year isn’t good for a moose hunt, you lose all your hard earned work.

Visit the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department for more information.