Some Minnesota hunters' long waits to bag a moose will get longer after BWCA fire

pioneer press ^ | 9-29-11 | dave orrick

[WOBBLY BOB]

In the long term, the Pagami Creek fire still burning east of Ely, Minn., should improve moose habitat, clearing the bramble to make way for saplings and berries that the animals love to munch on.

But for now, the forest fire is proving problematic for moose hunters, many of whom have been unable to access the territory they are permitted to hunt starting Saturday. The situation has led the state Department of Natural Resources to offer refunds for the cost of permits.

Those permits, for what is often known as "the hunt of a lifetime," are a coveted commodity that hunters wait years to come by. Some 6,000 hunters entered a state lottery for moose-hunt permits this year; only 105 were issued.

[WOBBLY BOB]

The reason for the drop in moose numbers isn't fully understood. According to rules proposed by the DNR, if certain population markers don't improve over the next two years, 2013 will be the last year moose hunting is allowed in Minnesota, at least until the population turns around.

[AlmaKing]

Title doesn’t make sense.

[QBFimi]

The drop in moose numbers could be because the animals are incredibly stupid. Attack a locomotive? Try copulating with a brass statue? Think you can win a standoff with an 18-wheeler? Duh.

[cicero2k]

Title doesn’t make sense.

+1

It could have said something about disappointed permit holders, due to forest fire etc.

[WOBBLY BOB]

resize don’t belong