MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont will be issuing 20 percent fewer moose hunting permits for the regular season this fall, based on estimated population densities and moose management goals.

Hunters can now apply online on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website for a permit for the Oct. 18-Oct. 23 season. Printed applications are expected to be available in early May from Vermont license agents. The deadline to apply is June 10.

The state will be issuing 285 permits this year, down from 355 permits last year.

“We recommended a reduction in permits this year based on the biological data we have collected on Vermont's moose and our calculated population estimates indicating moose densities are below management goals in some areas,” biologist Cedric Alexander said. “It's the intent of this proposal to allow slow population growth in some regions while continuing to stabilize moose numbers elsewhere.”

Some wildlife management unit boundaries also have changed to reflect wildlife populations and habitat conditions, he said.

Vermont has an estimated 2,500 moose statewide with the highest concentration in the Northeast Kingdom, Alexander said. Hunters are expected to take nearly 150 moose during the regular season.

Another 50 permits will be issued for the Oct. 1-7 archery moose season, in which another 15 moose are expected to be harvested.

The lottery applications cost $10 for Vermont residents and $25 for out-of-staters. Lottery winners will pay for hunting permits, which are $100 for Vermont residents and $350 for nonresidents, the department said. Hunters can also bid on five moose hunting permits in an auction, which will be announced at a later date.

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Online: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website: http//www.vtfishandwildlife.com