Another New Caribou Hunting Zone Established and Opened in Labrador

Dr. Rex Gibbons, minister responsible for wildlife, announced today that another new caribou zone (Nipishish Lake Caribou Zone) has been established and is opened for hunting effective immediately. The minister stated that this new zone, generally, is bounded in the south, by the newly created Grand Lake caribou zone; the Nauskapi River and Pocket Knife Lake in the west; the Kaipokok River in the north and White Bear Lake in the east. Hunters are advised to obtain a detailed description of the zone from the regional wildlife office in Happy Valley/Goose Bay, (709) 896-2732, before engaging in the hunt.

Dr. Gibbons further stated that both the Grand Lake and Nipishish Lake caribou zones were established in response to an apparent shift this winter in distribution of the George River caribou herd. A segment of the herd now occupies both of these zones, well south and east of the herd's normal wintering range. The caribou zones opened for hunting this winter are: Orma North, Orma South, Michikimau East, Bay of Islands, Grand Lake and now, Nipishish Lake, Dr. Gibbons noted.

Wildlife staff will continue to monitor the movement of the George River caribou herd and hunters are advised that more zones may be created and/or opened as the herd migration continues. As well, with the migration from a zone, the zone may be closed.

Contact: Derek Leboubon, Regional Wildlife Manager, Happy Valley/Goose Bay, (709) 896-2732; or Oscar Forsey, Wildlife Biologist, Gander, (709) 451-2055.