Caribou hunting zone in Labrador to close

Dr. Rex Gibbons, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today that the Grand Lake caribou zone will be closed to caribou hunting, effective January 29, 1996. The minister said that wildlife staff of his department, in monitoring the movement of the George River herd, have determined that animals from this herd have largely vacated this caribou zone. Closing the season in this zone is necessary for the protection of the smaller resident caribou population of the Red Wine herd.

Dr. Gibbons reminded hunters that hunting is permitted in Orma North, Orma South, Michikimau East, Michikimau West, Bay of Islands, Nipishish and McPhadyen River. "Monitoring of the movement of the George River herd will continue and other zones may be closed and/or opened as the herd migration continues", said the minister.

Contact: Derek Leboubon, Regional Wildlife Manager, Gander, (709) 896-2732, or Oscar Forsey, Wildlife Biologist, Happy Valley/Goose Bay, (709) 651-2055 .