September 9, 1997
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

1997/98 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting Guide

Kevin Aylward, minister responsible for wildlife, announced today the release of the 1997/98 Hunting Guide. "I would strongly advise hunters to consult the Hunting Guide carefully," said Mr. Aylward. "The province is divided into various management zones with different opening and closing dates, so it is important for each and every hunter to be sure of the all information for their area before heading out this season. However, at this time I would like to highlight some key changes for this year."

As announced earlier this year, there is an increase of 2,580 moose licences for the 1997/98 hunting season for a total quota of 28,340. The increase is possible based on the results of a major winter census survey program conducted over the last three years. Completed in the winter of 1997, this inventory provided more accurate moose and caribou population estimates. Prior to this new survey and inventory update, some important areas had not been surveyed since the late 1970s and 1980s. Increases in moose populations were found especially in the Portland Creek and Conche areas, and on the central west coast, particularly South Brook. Increases are found all along the Northeast coast, Twin Lakes, Lewisporte and Gambo areas, as well as the Bellevue and Bay de Verde areas.

As well, there is an increase of 1,415 caribou licences for the 1997 hunting season for a total quota of 5,940. The results of the three year survey found increases for many caribou herds on the island to varying degrees. Reductions were only warranted on the Grey Islands. The South West coast populations, LaPoile and Grey River herds appear to be stabilizing, and therefore, no changes were recommended to the 1997 quotas.

Ptarmigan and grouse seasons for the island will remain consistent with the 1996/97 hunting season and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closings. In Labrador, the shooting and snaring seasons for ptarmigan, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare, and arctic hare will now have common annual opening and closing dates. This initiative was brought about in response to local support for this change to season dates.

"As part of my department's commitment to protect the American marten, locally known as the Newfoundland Pine marten, I would like to request hunters to use a modified snare in the Northwest Grand Lake area beginning this hunting season," said Mr. Aylward. "If successful, use of this snare will prevent the accidental capture of pine marten, and avoid the necessity of closing key habitat areas completely." The minister further noted that Glover Island in Grand Lake, the Loggers School Road/Stag Lake study area, and the Main River Study area near Sop's Arm, will continue to be closed to snaring of all small game in order to prevent the possibility of accidental capture of endangered pine marten.

The minister would also like to alert hunters of the new federal requirement for the use of non-toxic shot (steel shot) for hunting all migratory game birds in Canada by September 1997. "I would like to point out," said the minister, "that non-toxic shot will not be required to hunt murres or provincial small game including ptarmigan, grouse and hares." At present, the most widely available non-toxic shot alternative is steel shot. Whereas steel shot has different ballistic properties than lead shot, proposed new regulations under the Wildlife Act will allow hunters to possess non-toxic shotgun ammunition suitable for hunting waterfowl. For more information on non-toxic shot alternatives, contact the nearest Forestry/Wildlife Office.

Hunters, when hunting game with a firearm, are reminded that it is mandatory to carry their Outdoor Identification Card that they received at the completion of the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course. This identifies that the individual has met the provincial requirement to hunt. A person does not need to possess the Outdoor Identification Card in order to snare small game, however, a small game licence is still required.

"I would remind hunters in Labrador that they have a one season extension to complete the course. Several areas of Labrador are encountering a high level of participation in the Firearm Safety / Hunter Education Course," stated the Minister. "In some cases, through no fault of their own, persons may not be able to avail of the course prior to the start of this hunting season. I have advised my staff that, for this hunting season only, persons living in Labrador who are legitimately registered for the course may proceed to hunt this fall, if they have the appropriate hunting licence."

"Our province's wildlife resources are one of our most valuable possessions," said Mr. Aylward. "We all have a responsibility to ensure that they are used in a wise manner. Next season (1998), I hope to announce the implementation of the Conservation and Stewardship Stamp program which will allow for hunters to directly contribute to enhancing fish and wildlife populations. In the meantime, I would wish everyone a safe, enjoyable and successful hunting season."

Contact: John Blake/Chris Baldwin, (709) 729-3509, or Anna Buffinga, Communications, (709) 729-3750.

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Summary of Changes for 1997-98 Big Game Season:

(a) Increase in harvest in Moose Management Areas 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 15A, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 31, 34, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, and 47 and a reduction in Moose Management Areas 8, 20, 24, 29, 32, and 37.

(b) One boundary modification that affects area 26 and area 28 in the Norseman's Pond area.

(C) The elimination of the winter season in Area 3A and 39A with the exception of Great Harbour Deep residents who hold a valid big game licence for area 3A. Only Great Harbour Deep residents who hold a valid licence for area 3A will be able to hunt in this area during the additional two week season which runs from Feb. 7/98 to Feb. 21/98.

(d) An increase in harvest for Caribou Management Areas 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 77, and a new Caribou Management Area, Hampton Downs - Area 78, on the Baie Verte Peninsula.

(e) Moose/Black Bear Management Area 24 has been reopened for bear hunting for the 1997/98 hunting season.

(f) The expansion of the pre-season bow hunt in all moose management areas and a number of caribou and black bear management areas on the island. See guide for details.

(j) A decrease in harvest for Labrador Moose Management Area 58.

(k) A reduction in the hunting season for areas 57 and 58. Also the type of licence awarded for these areas has been changed from either-sex to male-only or calf licences.

(l) Common fixed season dates for Torngat Mountains and George River Caribou Management Zones. These new dates do not reflect Saturday openings and closings as in the past.

(m) Common fixed dates for fall and spring Labrador black bear management areas. These new dates do not reflect Saturday openings and closings as in the past

A Summary of the Hunting Seasons:

Moose - Newfoundland

Areas 1 to 13, 15 to 22A, 24 to 27, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43 & 45

Sept. 13, 1997 to Dec. 13, 1997

Areas 14, 23, 28 to 36, 38, 41, 44, & 47

Oct. 4, 1997 to Jan. 3, 1998

 

Moose - Labrador

Areas 48, 51 to 53A, 57 & 58

Sept. 13, 1997 to Dec. 20, 1997

Areas 49, 50, 54 to 56

Sept. 13, 1997 to Mar. 21, 1998

Areas 59 & 60

Sept. 6, 1997 to Mar. 21, 1998

Caribou - Newfoundland

Areas 61 to 69, 77 & 78

Sept. 13, 1997 to Dec. 13, 1997

Area 70

Sept. 13, 1997 to Sept. 27, 1997

Area 71

Sept. 6, 1997 to Nov. 8, 1997

Area 72

Sept. 6, 1997 to Oct. 4, 1997

Caribou - Labrador

The caribou season for the Torngat Mountains and George River Zone runs from August 10 to April 30. All other Zones will open and close as caribou move in and out of them.

Black Bear - Newfoundland

Area 2, 5 & 6

Aug. 30, 1997 to Sept. 13, 1997

Areas 3, 4, 7 to 22, 25 to 27, 37, & 39 to 42

Sept. 13, 1997 to Nov. 1, 1997

Areas 23 & 28 to 30

Sept. 13, 1997 to Oct. 4, 1997

Black Bear - Labrador

Torngat Mountains & George River Zones

Aug. 10 to Nov. 30

Labrador South Zones

Sept. 1 to Nov. 30

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SMALL GAME - Changes and Seasons

Newfoundland

Ptarmigan & Grouse

Ptarmigan and Grouse seasons for the island will remain consistent with the 1996/97 hunting season and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closings. The shooting season for ptarmigan on the Avalon and Burin areas will run from September 20, 1997 to October 2, 1997. The shooting season for the remainder of the island will open on September 20, 1997 and close on December 6, 1997 with the exception of the Topsails area which will open on September 20, 1997 and close on November 22, 1997. The Burin area will remain closed to ptarmigan snaring. All other areas will open on October 11, 1997 and close on February 14, 1998 for ptarmigan snaring. The Fairhaven area will remain closed to ptarmigan shooting and snaring.

Spruce and ruffed grouse shooting seasons for the island will open on September 20, 1997 and close on December 20, 1997. The snaring season will run from October 11, 1997 to February 14, 1998.

Snowshoe Hare

The shooting and snaring season for snowshoe hare will open on October 11, 1997 and close on February 14, 1998 with the exception of Great Island which closes on December 27, 1997 and Little Bay Islands which closes on November 1,1997

American (Pine) Marten

Efforts to enhance the recovery of the endangered American Marten, otherwise known as the Newfoundland Pine Marten, have resulted in the identification of three new key habitat and dispersal areas: Northwest Grand Lake, Red Indian Lake and Terra Nova. As an alternative to closing areas to small game snaring, hunters are requested to use a modified snare in the Northwest Grand Lake area beginning this hunting season. Using the modified snare helps to reduce the potential for accidental capture of Pine Marten. Pending a review of the effectiveness of this type of snare in the Northwest Grand Lake area, similar or other alternative restrictions may apply to the Red Indian Lake and Terra Nova area in the 1998/99 hunting season.

Glover Island in Grand Lake will continue to be closed to snaring of all small game to eliminate the possibility of accidental captures of endangered pine marten. The Loggers School Road/Stag Lake Study Area will remain closed to small game shooting and snaring of all small game due to ongoing research. Also, a the newly established Main River Study Area near Sop's Arm will be closed to snaring of all small game to eliminate the possibility of accidental captures of pine marten.

Labrador

Beginning this hunting season, shooting and snaring seasons for ptarmigan, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare and arctic hare in Labrador will reflect common annual openings and closings and have been supported by local staff and residents in the Labrador region. The shooting season for these species will open on October 1, 1997 and close on April 20, 1998. Snaring seasons will open on October 1, 1997 and close on March 31, 1998. These season dates will remain the same in each year and do not reflect Saturday openings and closings as in the past.