I am pleased to rise today to inform this honourable house that applications for the 2007-08 moose and caribou draws, and black bear licences have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador. Enclosed with each application is a copy of the 2007-08 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide.

The hunting and trapping guide is a valuable tool that contains information on wildlife management plans 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.

This year's management plan includes 26,725 moose and 2,760 caribou licences available on the island. This represents an overall increase of 570 moose licences and a decrease of 1,325 caribou licences compared to last season. In Labrador, the number of moose licences available remains unchanged at 185.

I would like to highlight a couple of changes found in the Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Last year, my department introduced restricted Sunday hunting provisions. This year, I am pleased to say that Sunday hunting will be permitted from November 4 through to April 30, 2008 in all areas throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. We feel this change will improve consistency and awareness of regulations while providing an opportunity to hunt game in all areas of the province where hunting seasons are open. As this is still a new proposal, my department will closely monitor the coming season to determine what we will do in future seasons.

This year also marks the final year of a five-year management plan for ptarmigan seasons on the island. Officials from my department will evaluate information concerning preferences for opening and closing dates for ptarmigan before the 2008 season.

In 2006, a woodland caribou health monitoring project was implemented and the department sought participation from caribou hunters to provide specific samples from their caribou kill. Again in 2007, we will be asking caribou hunters to participate in our program. The data collected from this program, along with ongoing research and monitoring initiatives, will help us better understand the factors that might be contributing to the decline in the caribou populations, and therefore enable us to make the best management decisions possible.

Responsible hunting and trapping is important to the overall success of the fur and game management programs in our province. I encourage all hunters and trappers to keep conservation in mind as you have a safe and enjoyable season.

• Big Game Applications and Hunting and Trapping Guide Mailed