Minn. DNR cuts moose hunting permits in half

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirms it will issue half the number of moose permits in 2011 that it did last year.

The DNR said Monday it will issue 105 bull moose permits for the two-week hunt in October. That's down from 213 permits in 2010.

A recent survey finds the moose population continues to decline in northeastern Minnesota, for reasons that are not entirely clear.

According to the Duluth News Tribune, DNR wildlife managers figure about half the hunting parties will kill a moose. Officials say the reduction in hunter harvest is needed to help slow the decline of moose - especially in restoring the balance of bulls to cows.

In 2010, licensed hunters in Minnesota harvested 109 bull moose, for a party success rate of 51 percent.

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune

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