2002-2003 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game licence applications mailed

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and minister responsible for inland fish and wildlife, announced today that applications for the 2002-2003 moose and caribou draw and black bear licences are now being mailed to all qualified big game hunters in the province.

The minister advises that before completing an application, hunters should thoroughly read the 2002-2003 Hunting and Trapping Guide enclosed with the application. The guide contains detailed information on this year's wildlife management plan for provincial game and furbearer species including opening and closing dates, hunting and non-hunting zones, and other changes related to big game and small game hunting and trapping.

In this year�s management plan, 27,820 moose licences and 7,730 caribou licences are available on the island for the 2002-2003 hunting season. This represents an overall decrease of 170 moose licences and no change to caribou licences compared to the 2001-2002 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2002-2003 hunting season.

Applications for the big game draw must be returned to the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division in St. John�s before the close of business on Friday, April 5. Applications for spring black bear licences for the island must be received by the close of business on Friday, April 5. Applications for the fall black bear licences for the island must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 21. Applicants should note that at least two weeks are required for the processing of black bear licences.

"The heritage of hunting and trapping in Newfoundland and Labrador is a tradition that is long standing and an important part of the lifestyles of our communities and our economy," said Minister Aylward. "Our wildlife resources must continue to be used in a wise and responsible manner. To do this, hunters and trappers and the general public have an obligation to pass along the value of proper management of our resources to our children so that they may enjoy the same opportunities in their future. I encourage each and every one of you to become involved in the outdoors and I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable hunting and trapping season."

Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications (709) 729-0857.

HIGHLIGHTS

Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program
To encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island have endorsed another Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2002. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the opportunity to be considered for the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program is open to all residents between the ages of 12 and 17 who complete a Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course between July 2001 and June 2002. Only one person will be selected and he/she will be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The winner, along with a parent or guardian, will travel to Prince Edward Island to experience a waterfowl hunt during October 2002. Travel arrangements, meals, accommodations and other outdoor items for the winner, including a parent or guardian, are being supplied and supported by local sponsors in each jurisdiction. More details are outlined in this year�s Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Online Access - Big Game Licence Draw Results
Starting this year, big game licence applicants will be able to view their licence draw results via the internet. The results will be available only after the draw is complete. Each big game application will include online access code information specific to each individual application. Hunters are advised to keep this information in a secure location. In future, big game applicants will be able to use this same system to apply for a big game licence online as well.

Coyote Hunting Program
Starting this year, hunters who hold a valid big game or small game licence will be permitted to shoot coyotes during the open season and during the period in which the licence is valid. For licenced big game hunters, coyotes may only be harvested within their big game management area where the licence is valid and up until the big game licence is filled. Firearms and ammunition used for big game hunting may be used to harvest coyote. For licenced small game hunters, coyotes may be harvested in areas open to small game hunting and during the open season. For the purposes of harvesting coyotes, small game hunters must use shotgun ammunition, shot size # 2 or larger (ie. BB), or they may use a .22 rimfire rifle as is currently permitted for small game hunting. All big game hunters and small game hunters must report the numbers of coyotes taken and must submit coyote carcasses to their nearest DFRA office. Hunters may offer coyote pelts for market. Fur export permits may be required for hunters shipping furs out of province that are not handled through a fur agent.

NEW CLOSED AREA - Corduroy Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor
A new NO SHOOTING area is in effect for the Corduroy Brook Development Complex near Grand Falls-Windsor. Hunters are advised that hunting with firearms is prohibited within this zone. For complete information on area boundary description, please contact your nearest DFRA office.

White Moose Protection, MMA 43
Special protection has been provided for a rare and interesting white moose that currently resides on the Port au Port Peninsula, MMA 43. Sightings of this particular moose are common and local residents have assumed a stewardship responsibility towards this unique animal. Hunters who hold a valid moose hunting licence for MMA 43 should be aware that these licences are not valid to shoot moose that are predominately white in color.

Moose and Caribou(Island) Draw / Island Black Bear Applications
Hunters who are successful in the 2002 big game licence draw or apply for a spring or fall black bear licence (Island) are advised that payment for licences must be received through the mail, at the Cashiers Office or Government Services Centers by the deadline indicated on the bear application or moose/caribou draw notification in order to receive your licence and tags in time for the opening of the hunting season. Hunters can expect a minimum ten-day processing period from the date payment is received for payments made after the deadline date specified on the draw notice. Hunters are also reminded that they cannot make payments and/or pick up their licences and tags at the Wildlife Division Office in St. John�s or Corner Brook.

Moose
On the island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in three Moose Management Areas (MMA) - MMA 2 (+100), MMA 20 (+30) and MMA 45 (+100), while decreases have occurred in four MMAs, MMA 3 (-200), MMA 13 (-50), MMA 33 (-50) and MMA 42 (-100).

The season for MMA 14 and 41 have been adjusted to reflect an earlier opening and closure (September 14/2002 to December 14/2002) and is now consistent with other MMAs in the central region of the province.

Caribou
On the island, increases have occurred to Caribou Management Areas (CMA) - CMA 61 (+50) and CMA 63 (+50). CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will be closed to caribou hunting starting this season pending a review of the Avalon herd�s status during the winter/spring of 2002 with a possibility of a hunt being established for 2003. It is believed that the stag (male) component of the Avalon herd is low and must be addressed before a new harvest strategy is determined.

Black Bear (Labrador)
Beginning in 2002, the spring black bear season in Labrador has been extended and will have a new fixed closing date, July 13, 2002.

Moose - Newfoundland
Areas 1 to 13, 14,15 to 27, 37, 39 to 40 to 43 and 45 Sept. 14, 2002 to Dec. 14, 2002
Areas 28 to 36, 38, 44 and 47 Oct. 5, 2002 to Jan. 4, 2003
Area 3A *Feb. 1, 2003 to Feb. 15, 2003

*Open to Harbour Deep residents (and members of a party licence for Area 3A) only who hold a valid big game licence for Area 3A

Moose - Labrador
Areas 48, 51 to 53, 57 and 58 Sept. 14, 2002 to Jan. 4, 2003
Areas 49, 50, 53A to 56 and 85 Sept. 14, 2002 to Mar. 15, 2003
Areas 59 and 60 Sept. 7, 2002 to Mar. 15, 2003

Caribou - Newfoundland
Areas 61 to 64, 66 to 69, 76 to 79 Sept. 14, 2002 to Dec. 14, 2002
Area 70 Sept. 14, 2002 to Sept. 28, 2002
Area 71 Sept. 7, 2002 to Nov. 9, 2002
Area 72 Sept. 14, 2002 to Oct. 12, 2002

BIG GAME SEASONS (CONT.)

Caribou - Labrador
Torngat Mountains Aug. 10, 2002 to April 30, 2003
George River Aug. 10, 2002 to April 30, 2003
Other zones To be announced

Black Bear - Newfoundland
Spring (2002) - All open areas May 11, 2002 to July 13, 2002
Fall (2002) - All open areas Sept.14, 2002 to Nov. 2, 2002
Spring (2003) - All open areas May 10, 2003 to July 12, 2003

Black Bear - Labrador
Spring (2002) All open areas April 1, 2002 to Julu13, 2002
Fall (2002) Torngat Mountains and George River Aug 10, 2002 to Nov. 30, 2002
Fall (2002) Labrador South Sept. 1, 2002 to Nov. 30, 2002
Spring (2003) All open areas April 1, 2003 to June July 13, 2003

On the Island, the opening and closing of ptarmigan shooting seasons have been adjusted in response to the general opinions and preferences of a majority of hunters in the province to have a later opening for ptarmigan hunting. The overall season length in each of these zones has been unchanged (see season dates below).

New daily/field bag limits, 6 daily and 12 field bag, are in effect for ptarmigan shooting and snaring in the Topsails area (Island) starting this season.

Ptarmigan Shooting Snaring

Grouse Shooting Snaring

SMALL GAME SEASONS (CONT.)

Snowshoe Hare Shooting Snaring

Arctic Hare Shooting Snaring

Trapping seasons for Island furbearer species remain unchanged compared to last year, except the Lynx season for Zone C, which now opens Oct. 20, 2002 and closes Feb. 1, 2003. Licenced trappers are advised that compulsory lynx registration and carcass submission is required for the Island. The deadline for lynx registration is the close of business hours on Friday, February 7, 2003. Lynx carcass submission for licenced trappers in Labrador is voluntary.

Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island must be received on or before Oct. 15, 2002. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.

In Labrador, boundaries and season dates remain consistent with those announced in a news release by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on Oct. 3, 2001. Revisions were made at that time which included the creation of the Labrador North and Labrador South Zone and adjustments to trapping season dates for each of these new zones.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Baldwin, (709) 637-2020
John Blake, (709) 637-2354

2002 03 19                                3:05 p.m.