NLIS 1
April 3, 2003
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping
Guide and big game licence applications mailed
Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation, announced today that applications for the 2003-2004 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 2003-2004 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, 27,220
moose licences and 7,680 caribou licences are available on the island for
the 2003-2004 hunting season. This represents an overall decrease of 600
moose licences and a decrease of 50 caribou licences compared to the
2002-2003 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for
the 2003-2004 hunting season.
Applications for the big game draw and spring
black bear licences for the island must be returned to the Inland Fish and
Wildlife Division in Corner Brook before the close of business on Tuesday,
April 22, 2003. The original date published in this year�s Hunting Guide
(April 18, 2003) is incorrect. However, hunters are advised to submit their
applications well in advance of the April 22 deadline.
This year, all eligible resident big game
hunters have the option of applying in the moose and caribou (Island) draw
for a licence or pool advancement on the Internet by visiting
http//www.wildlife.gov.nf.ca.
The minister said she is pleased this option is available to hunters in the
province. She added that big game hunters who prefer to use the mail-in
application process can still do so if they don�t have access to
computers.
Applications for the fall black bear licences
for the island must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 20,
2003. Applicants should note that at least two weeks are required for the
processing of black bear licences.
Wildlife resources remain an important part
of our province�s riches. Together, we share responsibility for making
sure we sustain these resources for the benefit of future generations,"
said Minister Bettney. "I encourage everyone to become involved in the
outdoors and I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable hunting and trapping
season."
Media contact: Melony O�Neill,
Communications, (709) 729-0928.
BACKGROUNDER
HIGHLIGHTS
Online Access - Big Game Licence Draw Results
This year, resident big game licence draw applicants for moose and island
caribou will be able to apply and view their licence draw results via the
Internet. The results will be available only after the draw is complete. Big
game applications mailed out to all eligible resident big game hunters will
include online access code information specific to each individual
application. Hunters are advised to keep this information in a secure
location. Specific information regarding the online big game licence
application process is included in the 2003-2004 Newfoundland and Labrador
Hunting and Trapping Guide.
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 2003. 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 2002 and June 2003. 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 2003. 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.
Areas Re-Opened to Hunting and Trapping -
Emberley and Jude Island, Placentia Bay
The prohibition order which restricted hunting and trapping on Emberley and
Jude Island, Placentia Bay has been removed. Small game shooting, snaring
and trapping is now open on these islands. Season dates and bag limits for
ptarmigan are consistent with the Avalon/Swift Current zone for the 2003
season. Snowshoe hare and grouse season dates and bag limits are consistent
with the Remainder of the Island seasons and bag limits. Trapping seasons
are consistent with seasons outlined for fur species for the Island and are
outlined in the 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide and this news release.
New Moose and Caribou Tags
A review of the current tags being used for moose and caribou hunters is
ongoing and plans to implement a new tag system is expected be in place
during the fall of 2003. More details on the type of tag and how to use them
will be provided to hunters who receive a big game licence through the draw
process or purchase caribou licences through vendors in Labrador.
New Provisions - Dog Field Trials/Training
New provisions will begin in April 2003 that will allow individuals to
participate in dog field trials/training in designated areas only during the
period April 1 to May 7 and August 15 to August 31. For a complete list of
designated areas and their boundary descriptions, please contact your
nearest Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods office or the Inland
Fish and Wildlife Division. Dog field trials/training is also permitted
during the period September 1 to March 31 in all areas throughout the
province where running of dogs is authorized.
Important Message About Rabies
It has been confirmed by the Provincial Veternarian that laboratory test
results of several collected fox and one domestic animal were infected with
the rabies virus on the Northern Peninsula. The general public including
hunters and trappers are advised to take all necessary precautions when
handling or coming in contact with wildlife or domestic animals that are
suspected of having rabies. The public are also asked to report any animal
that is suspected of being rabid immediately to your local authorities. For
more information, please visit //www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/her&rab/RabiesFront.htm
or contact your local Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods office or
Inland Fish and Wildlife Division.
HIGHLIGHTS - BIG GAME
Moose (Island)
On the Island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in three Moose
Management Areas (MMA) - MMA 29 (+50), MMA 32 (+50) and MMA 45 (+100), while
decreases have occurred in 10 MMAs, MMA 4 (-100), MMA 15 (-100), MMA 17
(-150), MMA 18 (-50), MMA 22 (-100), MMA 22A (-50), MMA 23 (-100), MMA 24
(-50), MMA 25 (-50) and MMA 27(-50).
The additional two week season for MMA 3A
which occurred in February in prior years has been discontinued. Previously,
only residents of Great Harbour Deep could hunt moose in MMA 3A during
February. Now that the community has resettled, this two week season will no
longer apply.
Moose (Labrador)
No changes have occurred to the overall quota for moose in Labrador.
However, all licences available in MMA�s 49, 50, 54 and 85 have been
converted to either-sex to reduce the chance of hunters harvesting a female
moose on a male-only licence during late winter when male moose shed their
antlers.
Caribou (Island)
On the Island, a decrease of 50 licences has occurred in CMA 67. Caribou
quotas in all other CMA�s for the Island are unchanged.
CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will be remain
closed to caribou hunting in order to collect sufficient data on the general
health and status of the herd as a result of the outbreak of brainworm
Boundary changes have occurred in CMA 63, 67
and 69 and were made to improve hunting area map reference points. For
complete boundary area descriptions, please refer to Big Game Hunting Area
maps that are issued to licence holders or visit our website at //www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/wildlife
Black Bear (Island)
Beginning in the fall 2003, BMA 1 and 45 will be open to black bear hunting.
The open season for BMA 1 and 45 for the fall (2003) and spring (2004) black
bear hunt is consistent with season dates for all other BMA�s on the
Island. Fall seasons for all BMA�s have been extended by one week and will
open September 13, 2003 and close November 8, 2003.
BIG GAME SEASONS 2003-04
Moose - Newfoundland |
|
Areas 1 to 27, 37, 39 to 43 and
45 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Dec. 13, 2003 |
Areas 28 to 36, 38, 44 and
47 |
Oct. 4, 2003 to Jan. 3, 2004 |
|
|
Moose - Labrador
|
|
Areas 48, 51 to 53, 57 and
58 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Jan. 3, 2004 |
Areas 49, 50, 53A to 56 and
85 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Mar. 20, 2004 |
Areas 59 and
60 |
Sept. 6, 2003 to Mar. 20, 2004 |
|
|
Caribou - Newfoundland
|
|
Areas 61 to 64, 66 to 69, 76 to
79 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Dec. 13, 2003 |
Area
70 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Sept. 27, 2003 |
Area
71 |
Sept. 6, 2003 to Nov. 8, 2003 |
Area
72 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Oct. 11, 2002 |
|
|
Caribou - Labrador
|
|
Torngat
Mountains |
Aug. 10, 2003 to April 30, 2004 |
George
River |
Aug. 10, 2003 to April 30, 2004 |
Other
zones |
To be announced |
|
|
Black Bear - Newfoundland
|
|
Spring (2003) - All open
areas |
May 10, 2003 to July 12, 2003 |
Fall (2003) - All open
areas |
Sept.13, 2003 to Nov. 8, 2003 |
Spring (2004) - All open
areas |
May 8, 2004 to July 10, 2004 |
|
|
Black Bear - Labrador
|
|
Spring (2003) All open
areas |
April 1, 2003 to July13, 2003 |
Fall (2003 Torngat Mountains and George
River |
Aug 10, 2003 to Nov. 30, 2003 |
Fall (2003) Labrador
South |
Sept. 1, 2003 to Nov. 30, 2003 |
Spring (2004) All open
areas |
April 1, 2004 to July 13, 2004 |
HIGHLIGHTS - SMALL GAME
The Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation has received considerable input from various interest groups and
hunters regarding the opening of the ptarmigan season for the Island. As a
result, opening seasons for ptarmigan shooting have been established for the
next five years and are as follows: 2003-September 20, 2004-September 18,
2005-September 17, 2006-September 23 and 2007-September 22. The season
length for ptarmigan shooting for the next five years will remain the same
and will be adjusted annually for Saturday closures.
SMALL GAME SEASONS 2003-04
Ptarmigan |
Shooting |
Snaring |
Avalon/Swift Current |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Burin |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
CLOSED |
The Topsails |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Nov. 22, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Remainder of Island |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Dec. 6, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
Grouse
|
Shooting
|
Snaring
|
Island |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Dec. 27, 2004 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
Snowshoe Hare |
Shooting |
Snaring |
Great Island |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Dec. 27, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Dec. 27, 2003 |
Little Bay Islands |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
Bell Island |
CLOSED |
CLOSED |
Remainder of island |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
Arctic
Hare
|
Shooting
|
Snaring
|
Island |
CLOSED |
CLOSED |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
HIGHLIGHTS - TRAPPING
Trapping seasons for Island furbearer species
remain unchanged compared to last year, except lynx which now opens Oct. 20,
2003 and closes Feb. 4, 2004 for the entire Island. However, because lynx
are tied almost exclusively to the fluctuating populations of snowshoe hare,
the trapping season dates for lynx will be subject to a mid season review.
Renewal applications for beaver trapline
licences on the Island must be received on or before Oct. 15, 2003. Failure
to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.
In Labrador, boundaries and season dates for
furbearer species in the Southern Zone have occurred as a result of input
from trappers and Departmental staff in that region. The southern section
has been divided into Labrador West Zone and Labrador East Zone. Season
dates are also adjusted in these new zones (see tables below).
TRAPPING SEASONS 2003-04
Newfoundland
SPECIES |
SEASON DATE |
Beaver |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar
15, 2004 |
Ermine |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar
15, 2004 |
Fox-colored |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Fox - White |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Coyote |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Lynx |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Marten |
No Open Season |
Mink |
Nov 1, 2003 - Feb 28,
2004 |
Muskrat |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar
15, 2004 |
Otter |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar15,
2004 |
Squirrel |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb
28, 2004 |
Wolf |
No Open Season |
Fisher |
No Open Season |
Wolverine |
No Open Season |
Labrador
SPECIES |
LABRADOR NORTH |
LABRADOR EAST |
LABRADOR WEST |
Beaver |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15/2003 - May 31/2004 |
Ermine |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Fox-colored |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Fox - White |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Coyote |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Lynx |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Marten |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Mink |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Muskrat |
Oct. 5, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31, 2004 |
Otter |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20, 2004 |
Squirrel |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Wolf |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Apr. 30,
2004 |
Oct. 25/2003 - Apr.
30/2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Apr. 30/2004 |
Fisher |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
Wolverine |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
For further information, please
contact Chris Baldwin, (709) 637-2020 or John Blake, (709) 637-2354.
2003 04
03
9:05 a.m.
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