AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is reducing the number of moose permits by 90 because of the impact of winter ticks.

The department's advisory council on Friday accepted a recommendation to issue 3,095 permits, down from a previously projected 4,085. The department also changed the mix by reducing the number of permits for antlerless moose because of high female mortality blamed on ticks.

Commissioner Chandler Woodcock said reducing the number of hunting permits will help the moose population after a tough winter.

Winter ticks have been documented in Maine since the 1930s. In some years, their numbers are higher than others.

Last season, Maine's moose hunters set a record for the second consecutive year. Officials said 2,971 moose were taken out of 4,110 hunting permits.