February 26, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Minister announces 1999/2000 big game licence seasons and quotas

Kevin Aylward, minister responsible for inland fish and wildlife, announced today that applications for the 1999 moose and caribou draw and black bear licences are now being mailed out to all of the province's qualified big game hunters.

Minister Aylward said: "It is important that hunters read the Big Game Licence - 1999 - Resident Application Guide before completing their applications. This guide provides pertinent information on regulations, boundary changes, application deadlines and hunter education and safety."

"On the island, a total of 28,220 moose licences and 6,795 caribou licences are available for the 1999/2000 hunting season, for both resident and non-resident hunters. This represents a slight decrease of 100 moose licences and an increase of 805 caribou licences from the 1998 hunting season. In Labrador, 175 moose licences are available for the 1999/2000 hunting season. This represents no change to the overall quota from the previous hunting season," said the minister.

As previously announced in April 1998, opportunities now exist for hunters with certain types of disabilities, to acquire a licence in the big game licence draw process. This is also outlined in the application guide.

To become eligible for the 1999/2000 Big Game Licence Draw, new hunters must be 18 years of age or older by August 31, 1999 and have completed the province's Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course before November 30, 1998. Applications for the big game licence draw and spring black bear applications must reach the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division Office in St. John's before the close of business hours on March 26, 1999. Applications for fall black bear licences for the island must be received by the close of business hours on June 25, 1999.

1999/2000 SEASONS

Moose - Newfoundland
Areas 1 to 13, 15 to 27, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43 & 45     Sept. 11, 1999 to Dec. 11, 1999
Areas 14, 28 to 36, 38, 41, 44 & 47                      Oct. 2, 1999 to Jan. 1, 2000

Moose - Labrador
Areas 48, 51 to 53A, 57 & 58                              Sept. 11, 1999 to Jan. 8, 2000
Areas 49 to 50, 54 to 56 & 85                              Sept. 11, 1999 to Mar. 18, 2000
Areas 59 & 60                                                    Sept. 4, 1999 to Mar. 18, 2000

Caribou - Newfoundland
Areas 61 to 69, 76 to 79                                       Sept. 11, 1999 to Dec. 11, 1999
Area 70                                                              Sept. 11, 1999 to Sept. 26, 1999
Area 71                                                              Sept. 4, 1999 to Nov. 6, 1999
Area 72                                                              Sept. 11, 1999 to Oct. 9, 1999

Black Bear - Newfoundland
Areas 2, 5 & 6                                                    Aug. 28, 1999 to Sept. 11, 1999
Areas 3, 4, 7 to 27, 37, 39 to 42                             Sept. 11, 1999 to Oct. 30, 1999
Areas 28 to 30                                                     Sept. 11, 1999 to Oct. 2, 1999
Spring Seasons - All open areas                            April 24, 1999 to June 26, 1999

For further information, please contact: 
John Blake, or Chris Baldwin, (709) 729-3509
jblake@wild.dnr.gov.nf.ca or cbaldwin@wild.dnr.gov.nf.ca

HIGHLIGHTS - BIG GAME LICENCES - 1999

Moose - Newfoundland

• Increases have occurred to the licence quotas in six moose management areas and are as follows: Area 1 (+50), Area 4 (+240), Area 23(+100), Area 42 (+50), Area 43 (+40) and Area 45 (+150). Quotas in six moose management areas have decreased and include: Area 9 (-130), Area 13 (-50), Area 14 (-240), Area 15 (-200), Area 21 (-100) and Area 38 (-10). Changes to the quotas in other moose management areas may occur as a result of census work scheduled to be carried out during the winter of 1999.

• Moose management subarea 15A will be discontinued. Subarea 15A was once difficult to access and was originally formed to focus hunter effort on high moose densities in order to maintain sustainable populations. This area now has considerable access and a separate management area is no longer warranted. The new revised quota for Area 15 is 1,700 licences (850 either-sex and 850 male-only).

• The boundary line between Moose/Black Bear Management Areas 4 and 14 has been changed in response to public opinion over the previous years boundary modifications. The quotas for Area 4 and Area 14 have also been readjusted to reflect boundary modifications and moose densities in these areas. Area 4 has a total of 1,200 licences (600 either-sex and 600 male only or calf) while Area 14 has a quota of 760 licences (380 either-sex and 380 male-only or calf).

• A slight modification has occurred between the boundary line separating Moose/Black Bear Management Areaa 40 and 45. These changes are noted in the 1999 Big Game Licence Application Guide and will also be indicated in the Big Game Hunting Area Maps for these areas.

• The seasons for moose management areas on the island will remain consistent with the revised 1998/99 seasons announced in October 1998 and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closures.

Caribou-Newfoundland

• Increases have occurred to the licence quotas in eight management areas and are as follows: Area 61 (+50), Area 63 (+150), Area 64 (+250), Area 66 (+50), Area 67 (+50), Area 69 (+75), Area 76 (+150) and Area 79 (+80).

• A further decrease of 50 licences will occur in Area 65. Dr. Murray Lancaster from Lakehead University is presently in the area to collect samples relating to the brainworm in the Avalon caribou herd. Pending the results of census work planned for 1999, the current quota of 100 either-sex licences in Area 65 may be adjusted, in whole or in part, to a new antlerless licence type.

• The seasons for caribou management areas on the island will remain consistent with the revised season dates announced in October 1998 and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closures.

Boundary Changes - Newfoundland

• A significant boundary modification to the boundary line between Moose/Black Bear Management Areas 4 and 14 has occurred and will be reflected in the Big Game Hunting Area Maps for the 1999/2000 hunting season. As well, a slight boundary change has occurred for Moose/Black Bear Management Areas 40 and 45. Hunters applying for a licence in any of these areas should note these changes in the Big Game Licence Application Guide prior to completing their application.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183.

1999 02 26 11:10 a.m.