Waterbury, Vermont - The winners of Vermont's 2009 moose hunting permits were determined July 09 at a lottery drawing in Montpelier. Governor Jim Douglas started the computer-generated selection process that randomly picked 1,230 winners among more than 14,000 people who applied this year.

The drawing is done by a random sort of applications that were submitted by a June 2nd deadline. Lottery applications were $10.00 for residents and $25.00 for nonresidents.

People who applied last year and didn't get a permit were given a bonus point, increasing their odds of winning a permit in future moose permit lotteries.

In addition to the regular lottery drawing, a "special priority drawing" was held for five permits to go to applicants who have received, or are eligible to receive, a Campaign Ribbon for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan). Valid applications were received from 106 people. These five permits were drawn first. The unsuccessful applicants from the Iraqi-Afghanistan drawing were included in the larger regular drawing that followed. All applicants for both drawings who did not receive a permit were awarded a bonus point to improve their chances in future moose permit lotteries.

Governor Douglas and Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche spoke about the importance of moose hunting in Vermont.

"Vermont's moose population has prospered due to good wildlife management by our Fish & Wildlife Department," said Governor Douglas. "This will be Vermont's 17thmoose hunt in modern times. I want to congratulate all the winners in today's moose drawing, including the five people who received permits in the special priority drawing for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan military operations."

"Today's lottery drawing helps celebrate one of Vermont's successes in science-based wildlife management," said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche. "Vermont's moose management program has worked well since the first hunt in 1993, when 25 moose were taken with 30 permits issued. We expect about 600 moose will be taken this fall in a carefully regulated hunt."

Winners of this year's moose hunting permits are posted in a searchable database on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on "Hunting and Trapping" and then on "Lottery Applications and Winners."

Those who didn't win in the lottery may bid in a sealed-bid auction for five moose hunting permits. To receive a 2009 Moose permit bid kit, contact the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05651-0501. Telephone 802-241-3700 or email (fwinformation@state.vt.us). The deadline for bids is August 4.

Vermont law prohibits anyone who has held a Vermont moose hunting permit within any of the previous three calendar years from applying for a moose hunting permit or a bonus point in the current year. This includes permits awarded through the auction bid process.