Sunday hunting regulations finalized

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne today announced that, effective immediately, the hunting of game with a firearm on Sundays in the Labrador portion of the province will be permitted until April 30 or the close of the season for the species which is being hunted, whichever comes first. "Government announced its intent to make changes to the Wildlife Regulations to permit hunting on Sunday for a specific period during hunting seasons. We now have that revised legislation in place," said Minister Osborne.

"The regulations and annual Hunting Orders have been amended and will allow Sunday hunting on the first Sunday after October 31 up to the conclusion of the moose or caribou big game seasons," said Minister Osborne. "On the island, big game seasons are over for this hunting season. Therefore, Sunday hunting will not be permitted on the island for the remainder of the 2005-06 season."

Minister Osborne stated that, in Labrador, the latest caribou season extends to April 30 and, as a result, Sunday hunting will be permitted throughout Labrador from now until this time. "During that period, licensed hunters will be permitted to hunt on Sunday all game species for which they have a valid licence and the season is open."

Minister Osborne also noted that the 2006-07 Hunting and Trapping Guide and associated applications for next fall�s big game hunt are currently being prepared for distribution in the coming weeks. "The annual Hunting and Trapping Guide contains detailed information concerning next year�s game management plans and will include specific information related to Sunday hunting regulations for the 2006-07 season."

For more information on Sunday hunting, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env or contact John Blake, Manager of Conservation Services, Wildlife Division at (709) 637-2354.

Media contact: Tina Coffey, Communications, (709) 729-5783, 728-8650

2006 02 10                                 2:10 p.m.