The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today that applications for the 2008-09 moose and caribou draw have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in the province. Enclosed with the applications is the 2008-2009 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide which includes an application for the 2008 spring or fall black bear hunt.

The guide contains 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, 27,235 moose licences and 1,235 caribou licences are available on the island for the 2008-09 hunting season. This represents an overall increase of 360 moose licences and a decrease of 1,550 caribou licences compared to the 2007-08 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2008-09 hunting season.

"The Island woodland caribou populations have declined between 40-60 per cent during the past decade," said Minister Johnson. "We recently announced a $15.3 million investment into a five-year strategy to help understand the current decline and the role of predators in this decline. This effort will contribute to a better understanding of the precise mechanisms driving this decline and enable the appropriate intervention where possible and practical."

The minister also said that efforts over the coming years will include continued population monitoring, enhanced public and resource-user education, and an evaluation of habitat quality and quantity issues. Furthermore, the action-oriented strategy will attempt to encourage the legal harvesting of predators and quantify its resulting effects on caribou populations. This strategy is consistent with the Provincial Government�s commitment to sustainable development and science-based decision making.

Hunters are advised that aerial surveys of several moose management and caribou management areas in the province are currently in progress. In light of these surveys, changes may occur to licence quotas in some areas without notice before the draw takes place.

Eligible resident big game hunters may also participate in the provincial moose and island caribou draw for a licence, or pool advancement, by going online and visiting www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca. Last year, more than 30,000 residents used this site to apply for the draw for moose and caribou licences.

"Responsible hunting and trapping is important to the overall success of our fur and game management programs," said the minister. "I trust all hunters and trappers will keep conservation in mind during the season, and will also help limit the environmental footprint that is left behind in our wilderness areas. I wish all hunters and trappers a safe and enjoyable season."

Copies of the 2008-09 Hunting and Trapping Guide are also available at the Wildlife Division located at 177 Riverside Drive, Corner Brook and all Department of Natural Resources offices. The electronic format is available at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/publications.htm

For more information, please call (709) 637-2020, or e-mail chrisbaldwin@gov.nl.ca

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Media contact:
Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications (Acting)
709-729-2575; 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca

The deadline for mailing moose/caribou applications or applying online in the 2008 draw is the close of business on Friday, May 9, 2008. Spring black bear applications and payments must also be submitted or completed online by Friday May 9, 2008. Fall black bear applications must be submitted or completed online by the close of business on Friday, June 27, 2008. Note that black bear applications/payments must be mailed separately from moose/caribou applications.

Beginning November 2, 2008, hunting on a Sunday is permitted up to and including the last Sunday in April 2009 throughout all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador provided that a person is in possession of a valid licence and that the season for the game being hunted is open. The hunting of game on a Sunday is permitted throughout all inland and coastal areas of Newfoundland and Labrador during this period. This is consistent with the 2007-08 Sunday hunting provisions.

Beginning in the 2008-09 hunting and trapping season, stainless steel wire will no longer be permitted for small game snaring on the Island. Instead, snarers shall only use approved snare wire, which includes 22 gauge brass or 6-strand picture cord, for snaring on the island, except in areas closed to snaring. The changes will assist with ongoing efforts to mitigate the accidental capture of the threatened Newfoundland marten and also help reduce accidental capture of other non-target species.

The Wildlife Division is seeking the help of caribou hunters to assess the condition of woodland caribou on the Island. Samples of caribou taken during the 2008 hunt will be used to determine the body conditions of caribou. More information on how to participate are outlined in the 2008- 09 Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Beginning in 2008, holders of a general trappers licence will be permitted to shoot fox, lynx and coyote on the island of Newfoundland and during the open season for furbearers using a .22 centre rifle not greater than .225 or a shotgun using shot size #2 or larger, excluding slugs.

To recognize and encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have endorsed the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2008. 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 2007 and June 2008. More details are outlined in this year�s Hunting and Trapping Guide.