Lawmakers in Montpelier are considering a bill that would set aside five moose-hunting permits a year for veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

State Representative Margaret Cheney, says giving vets first dibs on some of the thousand or so moose permits issued each year by the state would be a nice gesture to reward returning troops for their sacrifice.

About 12,000 people apply for permits every year.

The bill was introduced after Congressman Peter Welch met with Specialist Clinton Holt, a Vermont National Guardsman, during a trip to Iraq. Holt told Welch what he'd really like is a moose hunting permit when he gets back to the states.

Welch, in turn, relayed the information to Cheney, who introduced the bill.

She says it has broad bipartisan support.