2004-05 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game licence applications mailed

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today that applications for the 2004-05 moose and caribou draw and black bear licences are now being mailed to all qualified big game hunters in the province. Enclosed with the applications is the 2004-05 Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Before completing their application, hunters are advised to thoroughly read the 2004-05 Hunting and Trapping Guide. 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 6,590 caribou licences are available on the island for the 2004-05 hunting season. This represents an overall provincial increase of 200 moose licences and a decrease of 590 caribou licences compared to the 2003-04 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2004-05 hunting season. Hunters are advised that aerial surveys of moose management areas 15, 21, 22, 40, 42 and 45 and caribou management area 61 are being conducted and analyzed. In light of these surveys, changes may occur to licence quotas in these areas before the draw is complete.

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 Friday, April 16. Applications for the fall black bear licences for the island must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 20. Applicants should note that at least two weeks are required for the processing of black bear licences.

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 https//www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca. Minister Osborne said that over 14,000 eligible hunters used government’s online services in the 2003 draw and it is becoming more popular. He 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 a computer.

Minister Osborne said that hunters and trappers who spend a great deal of time outdoors play an important role in helping to manage and conserve our wildlife resources in the best possible way. "Participation in responsible hunting and trapping contributes significantly to the overall success of our wildlife programs and we appreciate the involvement by our hunters and trappers," said the minister. "I encourage everyone to become involved in the outdoors and I wish all those involved a safe and enjoyable hunting and trapping season."

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575.

HIGHLIGHTS

Online Access - Big Game Licence Draw Results
Resident big game licence draw applicants for moose and island caribou can 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 2004-05 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide.

The Inland Fish and Wildlife Division is updating individual files for all residents on our Wildlife Information Management System. Hunters, trappers and guides will be required to provide a photo identification number or driver licence number from the Department of Government Services, Motor Registration Division. For more information on obtaining a photo identification number please visit: //www.gov.nl.ca/gs/gs/mr/dl.stm

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 2004. 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 2003 and June 2004. 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 2004. 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.

HIGHLIGHTS - BIG GAME

Moose (Island)
On the island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in seven Moose Management Areas (MMA) - MMA 1 (+100)), MMA 2 (+100), MMA 29 (+100), MMA 32 (+50), MMA 33 (+50), MMA 36 (+50) and MMA 45(+100), while decreases have occurred in four MMAs, MMA 15 (-100), MMA 22 (-100), MMA 22A (-50) and MMA 42 (-100).

A boundary change has occurred in the northeastern region of MMA 39 that replaces a straight-line boundary with physical land features. The change also slightly affects adjacent boundaries of MMA 40 and 45. Hunters are advised that MMAs and Black Bear Management Areas (BMA) are the same, except that subareas do not apply to BMAs. Boundary changes to MMAs also apply to BMAs.

Caribou (Island)
On the Island, decreases to the licence quota have occurred in five Caribou Management Areas (CMA) - CMA 62 (-50), CMA 63 (-200), CMA 64 (-250), CMA 66 (-40) and CMA 67(-50).

CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will 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.

BIG GAME SEASONS 2004-05

SMALL GAME SEASONS 2004-05

 HIGHLIGHTS - TRAPPING

Trapping seasons for island furbearer species remain unchanged compared to last year, except lynx which now opens November 1 and closes December 31 for the entire island.

Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the island must be received on or before October 15. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.

On the island, trappers must submit and register lynx taken during the season. Skins must be stamped and all lynx carcass must be given to a Department of Natural Resources office at the time of registration. The deadline for registration of lynx will be the close of business hours on Friday, January 7. (Note that the date, February 4, for lynx submission published in the Hunting and Trapping Guide is incorrect).

In Labrador, licensed trappers are asked to voluntarily submit lynx carcasses to the nearest Department of Natural Resources office not later than seven days after the date of capture. The Inland Fish and Wildlife Division will pay $50 for lynx carcass submissions. 

TRAPPING SEASONS 2004-05

For further information, please contact Chris Baldwin, (709) 637-2020 or John Blake, (709) 637-2354.

2004 03 19                                        11:55 a.m.