PORTLAND (AP) — Maine’s annual moose hunting season is underway in the northern reaches of the state, with fewer hunters participating this year because of the impact of ticks.

Maine’s moose season started Monday in eight of the state’s 29 wildlife management districts. The state cut down its number of moose permits from 4,110 last year to 3,095 this year. State officials say winter ticks are among the factors that have culled the moose herd from 76,000 in 2012 to closer to 65,000 now. More than 50,000 people applied for the permits.

The first moose hunting session in the eight northern districts closes Sept. 27. Other parts of the season run from Oct. 13 to 18, Nov. 3 to Nov. 8, and Nov. 3 to Nov. 29 in different parts of the state.