1996/97 Big Game Licence Applications Mailed

Rex Gibbons, Minister Responsible for Wildlife, announced today that applications for the 1996 moose and caribou licence draw, and black bear hunting licences are now being mailed out to all the province's qualified big game hunters. The minister advises that prior to completing the application, hunters should thoroughly read the 1996 Big Game Licence Application Guide which accompanies their application. 1996 LICENCE QUOTAS On the island, 25,410 moose licences and 4,225 caribou licences are available for the 1996/97 hunt. This represents a decrease of 340 moose licences and an increase of 395 caribou licences from the 1995/96 hunting season.

In Labrador, there are 180 moose licences available for the 1996/97 hunt. This represents an increase of 15 moose licences from the 1995/96 hunting season. DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF APPLICATIONS . The deadlines for the return of applications are: Newfoundland moose and caribou, April 8, 1996, Labrador moose April 8, 1996 , Newfoundland spring black bear, March 29, 1996 Newfoundland fall black bear, June 28, 1996 , Labrador caribou and black bear hunters may purchase licences directly from licensed vendors. LICENCE FEES Moose and caribou hunters are not required to submit licence fees with their applications. Hunters who are successful in the draw will be notified at a later date with information on how to make payment. Black bear hunters must submit $27.75 (GST included) with their applications. Applications for black bear hunting must be submitted separate from the moose and caribou applications.

HIGHLIGHTS MOOSE - NEWFOUNDLAND

Areas 14 and 41 have a later opening and closing date for the 1996/97 hunt. The season in these areas opens on October 5, 1996 and closes on January 4, 1997. Area 16A and Area 23A have been discontinued for the 1996 hunting season and are now part of Area 16 and Area 23. As well, all moose management areas on the island have a one week longer hunting season for 1996/97.

CARIBOU - NEWFOUNDLAND

The boundary for Area 69 on the Northern Peninsula has been expanded to better reflect the range and distribution of caribou in that area. A new caribou management area on the Cape Shore (Area 77) has been introduced for the 1996/97 hunting season. Only residents of surrounding communities are eligible to apply for Area 77 for the next five hunting seasons. A list of these communities is included in the 1996 application guide. Also, caribou management areas 61�69 and 77 have a one week longer season as compared to the 1995 hunting season.

MOOSE - LABRADOR

A new moose management area, Area 48, has been introduced for the 1996/97 hunting season. Area 53A which has been closed in previous years has been opened for the 1996/97 hunt. Also, beginning in the 1996/97 hunting season, all Labrador moose management areas will have either-sex and/or male-only or calf licenses.

1995/96 HUNTING SEASONS

MOOSE - NEWFOUNDLAND Areas 1 to 13, 15 to 22A, 24 to 27, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43 and 45, September 14, 1996 - December 14, 1996 Areas 14, 23, 28 to 36, 38, 41, 44 and 47, October 5, 1996 - January 4, 1997 Areas 3A and 39 February 1, 1997 - February 15, 1997

MOOSE - LABRADOR Areas 48, 51 to 53A, September 14, 1996 to December 21, 1996 Areas 49 and 50, September 7, 1996 to December 21, 1996 Areas 54 to 58 September 14, 1996 to March 22, 1996 Areas 59 and 60, September 7, 1996 to March 22, 1997 CARIBOU - NEWFOUNDLAND Areas 61- 69 and September 14, 1996 to December 21, 1996 Area 70, September 14, 1996 to September 28, 1996 Area 71, September 7, 1996 to November 9, 1996 Area 72, September 7, 1996 to October 5, 1996 BLACK BEAR Fall 1996 Areas 2, 5 and 6, August 31, 1996 to September 14, 1996 Areas 3, 4, 7 to 22, 25 to 27, 37 and 39 to 42, September 14, 1996 to November 2, 1996 Areas 23 and 28 to 30, September 14, 1996 to October 5, 1996 Spring 1996 All open areas, April 27, 1996 to June 29, 1996

REQUIREMENT FOR NEW HUNTERS

April 1996 marks the inception of a new mandatory Firearms Safety / Hunter Education Program for island residents who wish to hunt game (big game and small game). This program must be completed by persons who have not previously completed the Hunter Capability Test or the Canadian Firearms Safety Course prior to April. Those who have completed the Hunter Capability Test or the Canadian Firearms Safety Course will not be required to complete any further testing to become eligible to hunt. The Firearms Safety / Hunter Education course will be mandatory for Labrador residents in April 1997.

SUMMARY : Dr. Gibbons recommends that qualified persons receiving an application to be sure to consult the 1996 Big Game Application Guide prior to filling out the application. The minister also wishes to remind hunters that the province's wildlife resources are one of our most valuable assets for which we all share an equal responsibility.

Contact: Jim Hancock, Director, Wildlife Division, (709) 729-2816; or Anna Buffinga, (709) 729-3750.

1996 02 26 2:45 p.m.