A Rare Honor for a Late Racing Icon
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced the winners of the 2026 Moose Permit Lottery, revealing that Kyle Busch, the late NASCAR driver, had been selected to hunt antlered moose in Wildlife Management District No. 5. The announcement came amid a lottery that attracted 28,151 non‑resident applicants, of whom only 1.4 percent received permits.
Scarcity Defines the Lottery
Applicants must hold eligibility for a Maine big‑game hunting license, and the state reserves at least 90 percent of permits for residents, up to 8 percent for non‑residents, and a small share for hunting lodges. In 2026, just 393 of the 28,151 non‑resident applicants — roughly 1.4 percent — were granted a permit.
Busch, a two‑time Cup Series champion celebrated for his dominance across NASCAR’s three national series, maintained a lakefront estate in Denver, North Carolina, and was a familiar presence at the Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine. He died on May 21, 2026, after being hospitalized in Charlotte, leaving his permit subject to the state’s rule that allows transfer to a family member if the holder dies before or during the hunting season.
Permits carry a $52 fee for Maine residents and $585 for non‑residents, and each hunter may harvest only one moose per year regardless of how many permits they may be listed on. Winners must purchase their permits by July 16, 2026, after which the allocated quotas become final.
Costs and Constraints
The limited allocation for non‑residents reflects Maine’s effort to prioritize local hunters while still offering opportunities for out‑of‑state enthusiasts. Should a permit holder pass away, the transfer provision ensures that the hunting privilege can continue within the family, preserving the legacy of a driver who, despite his passing, remains intertwined with Maine’s hunting community.