August 20, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)
1999/2000 Big Game Licence Seasons and Quotas
Kevin Aylward, minister responsible for inland fish and wildlife,
announced today the release of the 1999-2000 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting Guide. The
guide contains detailed information on this year's wildlife management plan for provincial
game species including the opening and closing dates, hunting and non-hunting zones and
other changes related to big game and small game hunting. The guide is being distributed
throughout the province at all Government Service Centers and vendor outlets or can be
picked up at any office of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. While the
following is a summary of this year's seasons and changes, the minister wishes to stress
that because the province is divided into various management zones with different opening
and closing dates, hunters are strongly advised to consult the Hunting Guide for precise
information on each species.
The minister added that a copy of "Our Smiling Land - Government's
Vision for the Protection and Use of Newfoundland and Labrador's Outdoor Resources"
is included with this year's Hunting Guide. This report was developed following public
consultations held last fall and outlines governments commitment to the people of this
province through a "Declaration of Rights" to deal with outdoor issues such as
ATV use and river specific licences.
LICENCE QUOTAS
On the island, 28,220 moose licences and 6,795 caribou licences are
available for the 1999-2000 hunting season. This represents a decrease of 100 moose
licences and an increase of 805 caribou licences from the 1998-99 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.
Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-6183.
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HIGHLIGHTS - BIG GAME
MOOSE - NEWFOUNDLAND
Changes to the quotas in moose management areas were published in the
1999 Big Game Licence Application Guide. No further changes have occurred since that time.
Moose management sub area 15A has been discontinued. The quota for Area
15 was adjusted to reflect this change and includes the area previously known as 15A.
The either-sex licence type and male-only or calf licence type was
adjusted in Area 44 to help reach target male:female ratios. However, no changes have
occurred to the overall quota for that area.
The female-only or calf licence type in Area 31 has been discontinued.
The overall quota of 600 licences (now 300 either-sex and 300 male-only or calf) remains
unchanged from last year.
A significant modification has been made to the boundary line separating
moose/black bear management areas 4 and 14 in response to public opinion over the 1998/99
boundary change. The quotas in these areas were also readjusted to reflect the change.
A slight modification to the boundary line between Area 40 and 45 has
been made that now uses forest access roads instead of a straight line boundary. Hunters
are advised to consult the Big Game Hunting Area Map that accompanies the licence for
these areas.
CARIBOU-NEWFOUNDLAND
Changes to island caribou licence quotas were published in the 1999 Big
Game Licence Application Guide. No further changes to the overall quota have occurred
since that time.
Spring classification surveys for Area 65 have resulted in a change to
the types of licence awarded in that area. The original quota of 100 either-sex licences
has been changed to 25 either-sex and 75 anterless licences. A manual public draw held on
July 15, 1999 helped to determine which hunters who applied and were successful in the
computer licence draw held in May/99 would actually receive the antlerless licences and
either-sex licences. The adjustment will help improve the adult male component of the
herd. Hunters who hold an antlerless licence will be permitted to shoot a caribou that
does not display any antler development at all. In most cases, on the Avalon Peninsula,
female or juvenile male caribou do not display antlers.
BLACK BEAR - NEWFOUNDLAND
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BIG GAME SEASONS
MOOSE - NEWFOUNDLAND
Areas 1 to 13, 15 to 27, 37, 39 to
40, 42,43 & 45 |
Sept. 11, 1999 to Dec. 11, 1999
|
Area 3A (Harbour Deep residents
only who hold a valid licence) |
Feb. 5 -19, 2000
|
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. 25, 1999 |
Area 71 |
Sept. 4, 1999 to Nov. 6, 1999 |
Area 72 |
Sept. 11, 1999 to Oct. 9, 1999 |
CARIBOU - LABRADOR
Torngat Mountains Zone |
Aug. 10, 1998 to April 30, 2000 |
George River Zone |
Aug. 10, 1999 to April 30, 2000 |
Other Zones |
To be announced |
BLACK BEAR - NEWFOUNDLAND
Areas 2, 5 and 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 2000 - All open areas |
April 22, 2000 to June 24, 2000 |
BLACK BEAR - LABRADOR
Torngat Mtns. and George River Zones |
Aug. 10, 1999 to Nov. 30, 1999 |
Labrador South Zone |
Sept. 1, 1999 to Nov. 30, 1999 |
Spring Seasons 1999 - All open areas |
April 1, 2000 to June 30, 2000 |
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HIGHLIGHTS - SMALL GAME
PTARMIGAN - NEWFOUNDLAND
The shooting season for ptarmigan on the Avalon/Swift Current Area
(previously known as the Avalon/Burin Area) and Burin area will open on Sept. 18, 1999 and
close Oct. 30, 1999. The snaring season for ptarmigan on the island has been extended by
one week and will open Oct. 9, 1999 and close Feb. 26, 2000 for those areas where
ptarmigan snaring is permitted. Other shooting seasons for ptarmigan on the island are
consistent with last year and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closures.
GROUSE - NEWFOUNDLAND
The shooting season for grouse for all open areas on the island has been
extended by one week and will open on Sept. 18, 1999 and close Dec. 25, 1999. The snaring
season has also been extended by one week which opens on Oct. 9, 1999 and closes Feb. 26,
2000.
SNOWSHOE HARE
The shooting and snaring season for snowshoe hare for most open areas on
the island, except Little Bay Islands and Great Island, has been extended by one
additional week and will now open October 9, 1999 and close February 26, 2000.
MODIFIED SNARING
Efforts to enhance the recovery of the endangered Newfoundland Pine Marten
continue in the Northwest Grand Lake area, Red Indian Lake area and Terra Nova area. In
the Northwest Grand Lake area and Terra Nova area, mandatory use of the modified snare is
required. The Red Indian Lake area will remain open to traditional snaring methods.
Snarers in the Terra Nova Area are advised that a boundary adjustment has been made which
excludes the area north of Gambo Pond and Riverhead Brook from the original modified
snaring boundary. A detailed description of the revised Terra Nova area is provided in the
1999-2000 Hunting Guide.
PREVIOUSLY CLOSED AREAS RE-OPENED TO HUNTING
The Loggers School Road/Stag Lake Study Area near Corner Brook and Birchy
Island and Sivier Island, Bay of Exploits has been re-opened to small game shooting and
snaring. Seasons for these areas are consistent with small game seasons titled island and
remainder of island in the 1999-2000 Hunting Guide.
Long Island, Placentia Bay has also been re-opened to small game shooting
and snaring and has seasons that are consistent with the areas titled Avalon/Swift Current
area and island.
The Department of Tourism Culture and Recreations, Parks and Natural Area
Division advises that the provisions which have previously prohibited hunting in the Red
Fir Lake Ecological Reserve in western Labrador are now removed. Hunters may hunt game in
that area during the open season in which they have a valid game licence.
CUT OFF FOR FIREARM SAFETY/HUNTER EDUCATION COURSES
To qualify for the 2000 Big Game Licence Draw, new hunters must complete
the Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course before Nov. 30, 1999. To register for a
course, contact a College of the North Atlantic campus near you. For more information,
please contact a local Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods office.
CRIME STOPPERS
The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods recently joined forces
with the Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers toll-free hotline. Calls are anonymous
and callers may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to the conviction
of any person charged with illegal hunting, fishing or forestry activity. Poaching is
stealing.
Call 1-800-363-TIPS.
FEDERAL FIREARMS LEGISLATION
Effective December 1998, new regulations under the Firearms Act require
licencing of all gun owners and registration of firearms. As these new regulations replace
previous firearms laws, hunters of all ages may be affected. For more information about
the new federal firearms regulations, please contact:
Canadian Firearms Centre
1-800-731-4000
Web Site at www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca
MINORS
Newfoundland Wild Life Regulations permit small game and waterfowl hunting
starting at age 16 and after graduation from a Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course. To
possess a non-restricted firearm for the purpose of hunting small game or waterfowl, the
Firearms Act also requires a person under the age of 18 to:
be under direct or immediate supervision of a person who can lawfully
possess a non-restricted firearm (ie. the supervisor is over 18 years of age and can him
or herself legally possess firearms).
OR
be in possession of a Minors Licence, available from the Canadian
Firearm Centre's toll-free number (1-800-731-4000). All licences are subject to conditions
which may include supervision.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS
Effective Sept. 1, 1999, Environment Canada regulations require hunters to
use non-toxic shot for hunting most migratory birds in ALL areas of Canada. Subject to
these regulations, no person shall possess or use shot other than non-toxic shot for the
purpose of hunting a migratory game bird, except murres (turrs). Non-toxic shot
regulations do not apply to provincial small game including: snowshoe hare, arctic hare
(Labrador), ptarmigan or grouse.
SUMMARY
The minister strongly encourages all hunters to consult the 1999-2000
Hunting Guide before the beginning of this year's hunting season. The minster added that
his department is committed to ensuring that opportunities for hunting and outdoor use
continue to exist for the people of this province. "Our province has one of the
highest hunter participation rates in Canada and we all have a responsibility to ensure
that harvesting wildlife is done in a wise and sustainable manner." He further added
his wishes that hunters have a safe and enjoyable hunting season.
For further information, please contact:
John Blake or Chris Baldwin
(709) 729-3509
jblake@wild.dnr.gov.nf.ca
cbaldwin@wild.dnr.gov.nf.ca
1999 08 20 3:55 p.m.
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