Text Size
Bookmark and Share

Environment and Conservation
April 7, 2011

Additional Moose Licences Among Changes Made
to the 2011-12 Hunting Season

The 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game applications have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Changes for the hunting season this year include an increase of 5,020 licences for moose and a one-week extension to the hunting season, both pertaining to moose on the island portion of the province in established hunting zones. This extension is in addition to the three-week extension announced in 2010. Of the 5,020 additional licences, 4,610 are either sex licences in target management areas that border the Trans Canada Highway and major trunk roads of the island.

“We have increased the number of licences in the province this year by more than 5,000, with the majority focused along the Trans Canada Highway and major trunk roads, in an attempt to counteract the number of moose-vehicle incidents that are occurring,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “While we have steadily increased the number of moose licences for the past six years, this is the largest increase to date, as we work toward trying to address the moose-vehicle accident rate in the province.”

On the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, the overall quota for moose in 2011-12 is 33,440. Included in this total are 50 new non-profit moose licences, for a total of 250 licences available to registered non-profit and charitable organizations. As a result of a new moose management harvest regime established by Parks Canada involving both the Gros Morne National Park and Terra Nova National Park, an additional 530 licences are available in the province’s resident big game draw program. Furthermore, Charlottetown Enclave, located adjacent to and within Terra Nova National Park, is now included within the current moose management area 28.

There are no changes to the seasons or quota for island caribou which will remain the same as 2010-11 at 740 licences.

In Labrador, there is an increase of 20 licences in the moose quota, for a total of 205 licences. Changes have also been made to existing moose management area boundaries, including the creation of seven new management areas. Hunters are advised to review these changes carefully before applying for a licence.

Eligible big game hunters may participate in the province’s moose and island’s caribou draw for a licence or pool advancement by submitting an application in the mail or by going online and visiting www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca.  The deadline for receipt of moose and caribou applications is the close of business on May 6, 2011, while the deadline for spring bear applications is April 29, 2011 and fall bear applications is June 24, 2011. Black bear applications can be found within the Hunting and Trapping Guide. Additional copies of the 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide are available by contacting a wildlife division office. It is also available at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/publications.htm.  Highlights of the guide can be found in the backgrounder below.

The public is also advised that the Wildlife Division office formerly located at Building 810 in Pleasantville, St. John’s, has been moved to the Provincial Agriculture Building on Brookfield Road.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Highlights of the 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide

Application Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of moose/caribou applications or applying online in the 2011 draw is the close of business on Friday, May 6, 2011. Spring black bear applications and payments must be submitted or completed online by the close of business on April 29, 2011. Fall black bear applications must be submitted or completed online by the close of business on June 24, 2011. Please note that black bear applications/payments must be mailed separately from moose/caribou applications.

Non-Profit Moose Licence Applications
The deadline for registered non-profit moose licence applications is the close of business hours on May 6, 2011. Applications and additional information about this program are available at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/permits/index.html.

Hunting on a Sunday
For 2011-12, hunting on a Sunday is permitted between October 2, 2011 and April 30, 2012 throughout all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, provided that a person is in possession of a valid hunting 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
Snarers are required to use only 22-gauge brass wire or six-strand picture cord attached to a firm anchor to snare snowshoe hare (rabbits), grouse or ptarmigan in all areas open to snaring on the island of Newfoundland. Using stainless steel wire, including its use with a modified coil device, is prohibited. This assists with ongoing efforts to mitigate the accidental capture of the threatened Newfoundland marten and helping reduce accidental capture of other non-target species.

The Wildlife Division is continuing its ptarmigan wing tip collection program, in order to assess age structure of the harvest and aid in developing population trends of ptarmigan. Ptarmigan hunters are asked to submit the wing tips of harvested birds.
For further information please call 709-637-2067.

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 Nova Scotia have once again endorsed the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2011. 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 Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course between July 2010 and June 2011. More details are outlined in this year’s Hunting and Trapping Guide.


Big Game Highlights


Moose (Newfoundland)
The total quota for 2011-12 is 33,440, for an overall total increase of 5,020 licences compared to 2010-11 season. Of the 33,440 licences, 20,295 are either-sex, 12,645 are male-only or calf and 500 are female-only or calf. For residents, 29,515 of these licences are available and 3,925 are available to non-residents.

Caribou (Newfoundland)
On the Island, licence quotas for caribou will remain the same as the 2010 hunting season at 740 animals, consisting of 390 either-sex and 350 male-only licences. Of these licences, 474 are available to residents and 266 to non-residents.

Moose (Labrador)
Significant changes have occurred to MMAs within Labrador and include the creation of new MMAs, boundary and quota adjustments, as well as zone name and number sequence changes. The overall quota has been increased by 20 licences for a total of 205 either-sex licences.

Caribou (Labrador)

Big Game Seasons 2011-12


Moose – Newfoundland
Area 1 to 27, 37, 39 to 43 and 45 September 10, 2011 to January 8, 2012
Area 28 to 36, 38, 44 and 47 October 1, 2011 to January 29, 2012
National Park MMAs October 11, 2011 to January 8, 2012

Moose – Labrador
 
All Areas September 10, 2011 to March 11, 2012
Caribou – Newfoundland
Area 61, 62, 64, 66 to 69 and 76 to 79 September 10, 2011 to December 11, 2011
Area 70 September 10, 2011 to October 2, 2011
Area 71 September 3, 2011 to November 6, 2011
Area 72 September 10, 2011 to October 9, 2011
Caribou – Labrador  
George River, Bay of Islands, Big River August 10, 2011 to April 30, 2012
Seal Lake, Nipishish Lake, Grand Lake, Mulligan River, Double Mer Barrens, Orma South, Orma North, Michikamau East, Michikamau West, Twin Falls, Colville Lake, Sawbill Lake, Milner Lake, McPhayden River, Lac Virot To Be Determined

Black Bear – Newfoundland
Spring 2011 (All Open Areas) May 7, 2011 to July 9, 2011
Fall 2011 (All Open Areas) September 10, 2011 to November 6, 2011
Spring 2012 (All Open Areas) May 5, 2012 to July 7, 2012
   
Black Bear – Labrador  
Spring 2011 (All Open Areas) April 1, 2011 to July 13, 2011
Fall 2011 (George River Zone) August 10, 2011 to November 30, 2011
Fall 2011 (Labrador South Zone) September 1, 2011 to November 30, 2011
Spring 2012 (All Open Areas) April 1, 2012 to July 13, 2012

 

Coyote Shooting Season 2011-12

Province-wide September 10, 2011 to July 7, 2012

Small Game Seasons 2011-12

Ptarmigan Shooting Snaring
Avalon/Swift Current September 17, 2011 to November 13, 2011 October 8, 2011 to February 26, 2012
Burin September 17, 2011 to November 13, 2011 CLOSED
The Topsails September 17, 2011 to November 27, 2011 October 8, 2011 to February 26, 2012
Bell Island September 17, 2011 to November 13, 2011 CLOSED
Remainder of Island September 17, 2011 to December 11, 2011 October 8, 2011 to February 26, 2012
Labrador October 1, 2011 to April 20, 2012 October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012
     
Grouse Shooting Snaring
Island September 17, 2011 to December 25, 2011 October 8, 2011 to February 26, 2012
Bell Island September 17, 2011 to December 25, 2011 CLOSED
Labrador October 1, 2011 to April 20, 2012 October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012
     
Snowshoe Hare Shooting Snaring
Great Island October 8, 2011 to December 25, 2011 October 8, 2011 to December 25, 2011
Little Bay Islands October 8, 2011 to November 6, 2011 October 8, 2011 to November 6, 2011
Bell Island CLOSED CLOSED
Remainder of Island October 8, 2011 to February 26, 2012 October 8, 2011 to February 26, 2012
Labrador October 1, 2011 to April 20, 2012 October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012
     
Arctic Hare Shooting Snaring
Island CLOSED CLOSED
Labrador October 1, 2011 to April 20, 2012 October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012

Trapping Highlights

Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island must be received on or before October 15, 2011. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.

The lynx season on the Island has been reopened for Zone A only. Trappers must surrender all lynx (pelt and carcass) trapped accidentally 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 not later than seven days after the date of capture. The Wildlife Division will pay $50 to Labrador trappers for lynx carcass submissions.

Trapping Seasons 2011-12

Newfoundland

Species Season Dates
Beaver October 20, 2011 - March 15, 2012
Muskrat October 20, 2011 - March 15, 2012
Otter October 20, 2011 - March 15, 2012
Mink November 1, 2011 - February 28, 2012
Coyote October 20, 2011- February 1, 2012
Fox, Coloured October 20, 2011- February 1, 2012
Fox, White October 20, 2011- February 1, 2012
Lynx November 5, 2011 – December 4, 2011 (Zone A Only)
Ermine (Weasel) October 20, 2011 - February 28, 2012
Squirrel October 20, 2011- February 28, 2012

 

Labrador

Species Labrador North Labrador South
Beaver October 15, 2011 - May 31, 2012 October 15, 2011 - May 31, 2012
Muskrat October 5, 2011 - May 31, 2012 October 15, 2011 - May 31, 2012
Otter October 15, 2011 - March 31, 2012 October 15, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Mink November 1, 2011 - March 1, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Coyote October 15, 2011 - March 31, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Fox, Coloured October 15, 2011 - March 31, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Fox, White October 15, 2011 - May 31, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Lynx October 15, 2011 - March 31, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Wolf October 15, 2011 - April 30, 2012 November 1, 2011 - April 30, 2012
Ermine (Weasel) October 15, 2011 - March 31, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Squirrel October 15, 2011 - March 1, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Marten October 15, 2011 - March 31, 2012 November 1, 2011 - March 20, 2012
Fisher No Open Season No Open Season
Wolverine No Open Season No Open Season
 

2011 04 07                                                                                12:50 p.m.

 

 
Last Updated:
This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved.