Big game licence draw completed

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Culture, today announced that the 2002 Big Game Draw for moose and caribou licences has been completed.

Notifications have been mailed to applicants advising them as to whether or not they were successful in receiving a licence for the 2002-2003 big game hunting season. Hunters who have not received a notice in the mail can call the headquarters office of the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division in Corner Brook or St. John�s or one of the Forest Resources and Agrifoods regional offices located in Gander, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay to obtain information about the outcome of the draw. The telephone numbers are:

Inland Fish and Wildlife:

• Corner Brook (709) 637-2025 Fax (709) 637-2033
• St. John�s (709) 729-4203

Forest Resources and Agrifoods:

• Gander 709) 256-1460
• Corner Brook (709) 637-2409
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay (709) 896-2732

This year, hunters can electronically obtain information regarding their draw results and priority status. "Recent enhancements to the department�s computer network allow us to make the results of the Big Game Licence Draw information available on the World Wide Web for the first time," said Minister Bettney. "This will improve the level of services available for hunters."

Resident big game hunters were provided with their login id and password on the bottom of the 2002-2003 application form for access to this site (https://www.wildlife.gov.nf.ca). Requests for the replacement of this information must be made in writing/fax to the Inland Fish and Wildlife office in Corner Brook.

This year, the department received 56,503 applications involving 69,442 hunters. As well, in excess of 20,000 other hunters submitted applications indicating that they only wished to advance their priority status for next year.

Successful applicants should submit their licence fee of $46 by July 5, 2002 if they wish to receive their licences and tags before the opening of the big game hunting season. Hunters are reminded that the deadline for receipt of fall black bear applications for the island is July 5, 2002 as well. Licence fees must be remitted to the Central Cashier�s Office at the Confederation Building.

"Participation rates in hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador are among the highest in the country,"said Minister Bettney. "I wish all hunters a safe and enjoyable experience when they go afield this fall."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-0928

2002 06 20                              10:25 a.m.