newsminer.com

Hunters who want to get a permit for the popular “any moose” hunt on the Minto Flats should mark Aug. 7 on their calendars.

That’s the date the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be issuing 120 permits in Fairbanks, Minto and Nenana.

Of course, if you want a permit, you’d be wise to arrive a day or so early with your sleeping bag.

“In general in Fairbanks, there’s people in line 24 hours before” the department starts issuing permits, Fairbanks area management biologist Don Young said.

There will be 48 permits issued at the Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks, 43 at the Lakeview Lodge in Minto and 29 at the Nenana Native Council office in Nenana.

The department also will be issuing 20 antlerless moose permits for the western Tanana Flats on the same day in Nenana.

Permits will be issued beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 7.

Only Alaska residents qualify for the permits, which are limited to one per household.

Hunters must have a 2008 hunting license to get a permit.

The department increased the number of permits for the fall hunt by 20 this year, Young said.

“We issued a few more permits for the fall hunt, and we’ll make adjustments for the winter hunt based on what the harvest is in the fall hunt.”

The hunt is popular because of a high success rate.

Last year, 69 percent of hunters who participated in the fall hunt bagged a moose.

The department issued 100 permits, 91 hunters reported hunting and 63 got a moose.

In the winter hunt, which runs from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28, the success rate was slightly lower at 59 percent.