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February 17, 1997
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

 

1997/98 Big Game Licence Season and Quotas

Beaton Tulk, minister responsible for inland fish and wildlife, announced today that applications for the 1997/98 moose and caribou licence draw and black bear licences are now being mailed out to all of the province's qualified big game hunters. The minister advises that before completing an application, hunters should thoroughly read the 1997 Big Game Licence Application Guide enclosed with the application.

1997 LICENCE QUOTAS

On the island, 27,730 moose licences and 5,715 caribou licences are available for the 1997/98 hunting season. This represents an increase of 1,970 moose licences and 1,190 caribou licences from the 1996/97 hunt. These numbers are likely to increase after the completion of this winter's big game surveys.

In Labrador, there are 175 moose licences available for the 1997/98 hunting season. This represents a slight decrease from the 1996/97 hunt.

The minister noted that the caribou quota for 1997-1998 is the highest in the history of Newfoundland and moose quota is the third highest. The minister extended congratulations to the wildlife staff and hunters for excellent management of the big game populations which is now allowing us to reap financial benefits.

HIGHLIGHTS

Moose - Newfoundland

Increases in the licence quotas for 13 moose management areas have occurred and are as follows: Area 1(+50), Area 2 (+400), Area 5 (+100), Area 6 (+100), Area 7 (+200), Area 15 (+350), Area 15A (+100), Area 22 (+400), Area 23 (+100), Area 25 (+80), Area 31 (+70), Area 39 (+100), Area 40 (+250). Decreases in licence quotas have occurred in five moose management areas and are as follows: Area 8 (-130), Area 12 (-30), Area 20 (-20), Area 29 (-100) and Area 37 (-50). Changes to the quotas in moose management areas 3, 4, 10, 11, 13, 14, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 41, 42, 44 and 47 may occur as a result of census work scheduled to be carried out during the winter of 1997.

The additional two week winter season for Area 3A and 39A has been discontinued with the exception of Great Harbour Deep residents who hold a valid big game licence for Area 3A. Hunters who are residents of Great Harbour Deep and are awarded a licence for Area 3A will be entitled to an additional two week season which occurs from February 7-21, 1998.

Caribou - Newfoundland

Increases in the licence quotas for seven caribou management areas have occurred. Increases to these areas are as follows: Area 62 (+300), Area 64 (+300), Area 65 (+200), Area 66 (+65), Area 67 (+100), Area 69 (+145), Area 77 (+30). Also a new caribou management area has been opened, Hampden Downs, Area 78 with a quota of 50 licences.

Black Bear - Newfoundland

Black bear management area 24 will be re-opened for the 1997/98 hunting season. The black bear study in this area has concluded.

Bowhunting- Newfoundland

An early bow hunt season of two weeks in advance of the regularly scheduled season dates for moose, caribou and black bear on the island will be introduced for the 1997/98 hunting season with the exception of caribou management areas 70, 71, 72 and black bear management areas 2, 5, and 6 where early seasons were already in existence.

Boundary Changes - Newfoundland

A slight boundary modification that will affect moose and black bear management areas 26 and 28 has occurred in the Norseman's Pond area and will be reflected in the Big Game Hunting Area Maps for those areas for the 1997/98 season. Hunters applying for a licence in those areas should check the map in the Application Guide before completing their application.

Moose - Labrador

A decrease of five licences has occurred for moose management area 58. The season dates for moose management areas 57 and 58 have been changed and will run from September 13 to December 20, 1998. Also the types of licences awarded in Area 57 and 58 have changed to Male only or calf licences. The season dates for Area 49 and 50 have been extended and will run from September 13, 1997 to March 21, 1998.

1997/98 SEASONS


Moose - Newfoundland

Areas 1 to 13, 15 to 27, 37, 39 to 40,       Sept. 13, 1997 - Dec. 13, 1997
42, 43 & 45     

Areas 14, 28 to 36, 38, 41, 44 & 47          Oct. 4, 1997 - Jan. 3, 1998


Moose - Labrador

Areas 48, 51 to 53A, 57 & 58                 Sept. 13, 1997 - Dec. 20, 1997


Areas 49, 50, 54 to 56                       Sept. 13. 1997 - Mar. 21, 1998


Areas 59 & 60                                Sept. 6, 1997 - Mar. 21, 1998


Caribou - Newfoundland

Areas 61 to 69, 77 & 78                      Sept. 13, 1997 - Dec. 13, 1997

Area 70                                      Sept. 13, 1997 - Sept. 27,1997

Area 71                                      Sept. 6, 1997 - Nov. 8, 1997

Area 72                                      Sept. 6, 1997 - Oct. 4, 1997


Black Bear - Newfoundland

Areas 2, 5 & 6                               Aug. 30, 1997 - Sept. 13, 1997

Areas 3, 4, 7 to 27, 37 & 39 to 42           Sept. 13, 1997 - Nov. 1, 1997

Areas 28 to 30                               Sept. 13, 1997 - Oct. 4, 1997 


Spring 1998 - All open areas                 Apr. 25, 1998 - June 27, 1998



HUNTING REQUIREMENTS

To become eligible for the 1997/98 big game licence draw, new hunters must have completed the Provinces Firearm Safety / Hunter Education Course by December 31, 1996. Only those persons who are 18 years of age by August 31, 1997 will be eligible for the draw.

Labrador residents are reminded that the new Firearm Safety / Hunter Education Course will become mandatory in April 1997. The course applies only to those individuals who have not completed any previous hunter training. Those who have completed the Hunter Capability Test or the Canadian Firearm Safety Course before April 1996 are not required to do any further training in order to hunt.

SUMMARY

The minister recommends that hunters should make sure they consult the 1997 Big Game Licence Application Guide before filling out their application. The minister also wishes to remind hunters that the provinces's wildlife resources are one of our most valuable assets and that we each share the responsibility to use it in a wise and sustainable manner.

Contact: Chris Baldwin or John Blake, Wildlife Division, (709) 729- 3509.

1997 02 17 1:50 p.m.

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