George River Caribou Hunting Season Delayed in Labrador

The George River caribou hunting season in Labrador, scheduled for opening on August 10, will be delayed as the result of preliminary information and ongoing analysis regarding the herd. In July, a post-calving census was conducted in partnership with the Government of Quebec, Laval University, the Nunatsiavut Government, Torngat Plant and Wildlife Co-Management Board and the Institute for Environmental Monitoring and Research.

"While the final results of the census will not be available until later this fall, preliminary results confirm a continued and serious decline in the population of the George River caribou herd," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "Whenever we feel that any of our wildlife populations are being compromised, we apply a precautionary approach to their management and delay hunting activities while we undertake a review of current harvest management strategies."

In July 2009, the Provincial Government announced plans to conduct a census in the summer of 2010 to determine the current status and health of the George River caribou herd, and review caribou harvest management strategies in light of the census results. To date, work has involved collaring as many as 80 caribou from the George River herd, both males and females, as well as a post-calving aggregation photo-census of the herd. A public advisory was published in the 2010-11 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide indicating that current harvest management approaches and methods may be reviewed pending the results of the 2010 census.

The George River caribou herd is the migratory forest-tundra ecotype of the woodland caribou which migrates between forest and tundra in both Quebec and Labrador.

"It is our government's responsibility to ensure appropriate management measures for the George River caribou are being taken, based on the recent preliminary results of the population census," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "We must work collaboratively with all stakeholders to help ensure the future of this important herd and its place in the lives of Labradorians."

An update on the harvest management plan for the George River Caribou is anticipated in early September. Until that time, hunting opportunities for all non-Aboriginal peoples will be suspended.

For more information on wildlife, including the opening and closing dates for hunting seasons, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/index.html 

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2010 08 09                                                    2:55 p.m.