Hunters can apply for the 2015 Maine Moose Permit Lottery at: bit.ly/mainemooselottery.

The deadline for online applications is May 14, 2015. 

If you applied for a moose permit last year or the year before, all of your information is pre-filled into this year's online application.

To start, type in your first name, last name and date of birth the same way as in 2014 or 2013. The computer will look up your information. Please review your personal data and make any necessary changes.

Once you've filled out and paid for your application, you'll be able to print out a confirmation page. An email confirmation will also be sent to you.

Bonus points are awarded for each consecutive year the applicant has applied for the lottery since 1998 without being selected and each bonus point gives the applicant an additional chance in the drawing.

Bonus points are earned at the rate of one per year for years one to five, two per year for years six to 10, three per year for years 11 to 15 and 10 per year for years 16 and beyond.

Applicants can skip a year and not lose their bonus points. So if you applied in 2013 but not in 2014, you still have your points if you apply in 2015.

The moose permit drawing drawing will take place on June 13, 2015 at the Moose Festival in Bethel. To learn more about the three-day festival, please visit www.bethelmainemoosefest.com.