CALAIS – Tim Cooper, manager of the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, announced Monday that approximately 205 acres of forest will be available for timber harvest this fall and winter.

Timber harvesting is conducted as part of the refuge’s ongoing forest management program. Six units, totaling 135 acres, are located on the Baring Division, near Calais, and five units, totaling 70 acres, are located on the Edmunds Division of the refuge, near Dennysville. Most harvesting will be done in 5-acre blocks and 100-foot-wide strips.

Timber harvesters must possess the equipment necessary to cut timber in a timely fashion, have a contract with a woods products company, and be able to meet all requirements listed in the special condition for timber harvesting permits.

The purpose of the forest management program is to improve the refuge’s forested habitats to benefit a wide variety of wildlife species. American woodcock, ruffed grouse, many songbirds, white-tailed deer, moose and snowshoe hare are among the species that use the openings and young hardwood sprouts that result from the timber harvest.

Any timber harvester interested in applying for a permit to harvest wood on the refuge should contact the Moosehorn office at 454-7161 for a packet of information. Permits will be awarded using a lottery system. A public drawing to select permits will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, in the conference room at the refuge headquarters building.