AUGUSTA — More moose hunters will be allowed into the northern Maine woods in the fall of 1994 under a bill given final approval by the Senate on Monday. The vote was 29-6.

The bill enacted by the Legislature gradually increases the number of allowable moose-hunting permits from up to 1,000 in 1993 to up to 1,500 in 1996. The commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife could grant up to 1,200 moose-hunting permits for the 1994 hunting season; up to 1,400 permits in 1995; and up to 1,500 permits in 1996.

The commissioner also would establish the moose hunting districts and zones, something that is now established in law.

Expanding the moose hunt has been tried numerous times in the Legislature but has failed every year until now. The proposed expansions, like the establishment of the modern hunt a decade ago, have proven controversial.

This year was no exception, and several senators vigorously opposed the bill approved on Monday.

“I kind of like living in a state where once in a while a moose wanders into the city,” said Sen. Michael D. Pearson, D-Enfield. “I think it’s good for tourism. I’ve never ever tired of seeing a moose.”

Sen. Gerard P. Conley Jr., D-Portland, a leading moose advocate, called Maine’s moose “the most majestic animal in all of North America.”

Conley said the 90 percent success rate of moose hunters in bagging “a docile animal” proved “that (it) is not really hunting.”

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Dorothy Rotondi, D-Athens.

A co-sponsor, Sen. M. Ida Luther, D-Mexico, said biologists have said an expanded moose hunt will do no harm to the Maine herd.

Luther said in certain parts of the state moose are a dangerous nuisance that make driving after dark risky business.

She said there were 591 moose-vehicle collisions in 1991.

“That’s 591 totaled cars,” said Luther. “There is nothing quaint about moose when they come up over your car and smash through the windshield.”

Sen. Stephen Hall, R-Guilford, a former game warden, said, “Moose is a renewable resource. If we did not have a season on them now, then I don’t think you would have as many moose because of health reasons.”

Sen. Ruth S. Foster, R-Ellsworth, tried to stop the moose-hunt bill, but her effort was defeated on a 29-6 vote.