Applications for the 2009-10 moose and caribou draw have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in the province. Included also were the latest edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide and an application for the 2009 island spring or fall black bear hunt.

"The annual Hunting and Trapping Guide contains information pertaining to this year�s wildlife management plan for provincial game and furbearer species," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "It is a valuable resource and reference for all hunters and trappers in Newfoundland and Labrador. The guide contains information such as season dates and bag limits, as well as new information and regulations which hunters and trappers need to be aware of before they embark upon the 2009-10 hunting and trapping season."

On the island of Newfoundland, there are a total of 27,855 moose licences available for the 2009-10 hunting season, representing an overall increase of 570 licences from the 2008-09 season. The island caribou quota for the 2009 hunting season is 880 licences, a decrease of 355 licences from the 2008 season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2009-10 hunting season.

The Hunting and Trapping Guide also contains tables for island moose and caribou which outline both non-resident and resident licence allocations for each management area. This will aid resident big game hunters in making more informed decisions when applying for licences in preferred management areas.

"We continue to move forward with activities associated with our five-year caribou strategy," said Minister Johnson. "The latest edition of the Hunting and Trapping Guide contains important information on the advancements that have been made toward key objectives of this strategy. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders and the public to address concerns relating to the decline of island woodland caribou populations. Our management actions are vital to the sustainability of caribou and all wildlife, and must be supported by current scientific knowledge."

Copies of the 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Guide are available at the Wildlife Division Headquarters located at 117 Riverside Drive, Corner Brook; Wildlife Division offices in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. John�s; and all Department of Natural Resources offices. The guide is also available in electronic format at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/publications.htm

For more information, please contact Chris Baldwin at chrisbaldwin@gov.nl.ca or Jason Foster at jasonfoster@gov.nl.ca, or call 709-637-2006.

Hunting on a Sunday
For 2009-10, hunting on a Sunday is permitted between October 4 and April 30, 2010 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.

Small Game Snaring (Island)
Snarers may only use 22 gauge brass wire or six-strand picture cord attached to a firm anchor to snare showshoe hare (rabbits), grouse or ptarmigan in all areas open to snaring on the island portion of the province. Using stainless steel wire, including its use with a modified coil device, is no longer permitted. These changes 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.

Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program
To recognize and encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick have endorsed the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2009. 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 2008 and June 2009. More details are outlined in this year�s Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Moose (Island)
On the island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in Moose Management Area (MMA) 6 (+50), MMA 8 (+50), MMA 10 (+50), MMA 19 (+100), MMA 20 (+25), MMA 25 (+50), MMA 28 (+25), MMA 35 (+50), MMA 36 (+100), MMA 38 (+20) and MMA 45 (+100), while a decrease has occurred in MMA 34 (-50).

Caribou (Island)
On the island, decreases to licence quotas have occurred in Caribou Management Areas (CMA) 61 (-30), CMA 64 (-10), CMA 66 (-5), CMA 67(-10), CMA 69 (-10), CMA 76 (-110), CMA 77 (-100), CMA 78 (-25) and CMA 79 (-55).

Caribou (Labrador)
Fixed dates apply to a number of caribou management areas and are subject to immediate closure if it is confirmed by the department that threatened woodland caribou populations are occupying the zone(s).

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.

The lynx season for the entire Island is now closed due to low populations. Trappers must surrender all lynx trapped accidentally (pelt and carcass) to a Department of Natural Resources office within seven days after the time of capture.

In Labrador, licensed trappers are asked to voluntarily submit lynx carcasses to the nearest Department of Natural Resources office no later than seven days after the date of capture. The Wildlife Division will pay $50 to Labrador trappers for lynx carcass submissions.

Trapping zones in Labrador, formerly known as the Western and Eastern zones, have been combined into one zone known as the Labrador South zone.