Concerned over a declining moose population in northeastern Minnesota, state officials said Monday they will cut in half the number of moose hunting permits available this year.

The Department of Natural Resources will issue 105 licenses this fall, down from 213 last year. Wildlife officials figure hunters will kill about 50 moose. Only bull moose can be hunted. The reduction in permits should increase the proportion of bulls in the population in comparison to previous years. The DNR's new moose management and research plan recommends using bull-cow ratios as a measure to determine whether the hunt should continue.

Last year, hunters killed 109 moose, a success rate of 51 percent. Officials estimate the northeast population at about 4,900. Hunting permits are issued in a random drawing, and hunters only get one permit in a lifetime. The season is Oct. 1-Oct. 16.

DOUG SMITH