AUGUSTA – Sunshine and temperatures into the low 70s were expected today as 2,585 moose permit holders prepared for the dawn start of Maine’s split two-week season in northern and eastern parts of the state.

The second six-day portion of the season begins Monday, Oct. 13, in the remaining hunting zones in western parts of the state.

Maine’s total moose population is estimated at 29,000.

Karen Morris, state moose biologist, said the moose are in prime physical shape this time of the year as they begin their mating season. Bull moose typically lose 10 percent to 20 percent of their body weight during the mating season, also known as the “rut.”

Hoping to more closely regulate the moose harvest, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is issuing bull-only and antlerless-only moose permits for this season.

In northeastern, eastern and southern Aroostook County, antlerless-only permits increase by 45 percent to remove females and decrease the moose population in those areas.

In western Aroostook, Piscataquis, northern Penobscot, northern Franklin and northern Somerset counties, the number of permits is lower to allow the moose population to increase.

The number of permits will remain the same in eastern and southern Aroostook, Oxford, southern Franklin, southern Penobscot and Washington counties.