Hunters Reminded to Follow the Rules for Big Game Season

The Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division of the Department of Justice is asking big game hunters to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the Wild Life Act now that big game hunting season is underway. The act is in place to conserve the province’s wildlife resources so that they can be enjoyed by future generations in addition to ensuring hunters understand and follow safe hunting techniques.

Last weekend, the start of big game hunting season, fish and wildlife enforcement officers identified 27 wildlife offences, 14 fisheries charges and 11 ATV violations. Some of these offences included illegal hunting, illegal possession of big game, loaded firearm in a vehicle and exceeding the bag limit for trout.

Individuals convicted of big game offences can receive fines in excess of $1,000, be prohibited for five years from big game hunting of moose or caribou and have items forfeited including vehicles, firearms, and big game.

Fish and wildlife enforcement officers will continue to conduct patrols, wildlife check stations, respond to complaints and carry out investigations of alleged violations during this big game season. In addition, the division has an ongoing partnership with other enforcement agencies that may include joint patrols during this hunting season. Officers will also investigate and lay charges for inland fish offences during big game hunting season.

Big game hunters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Wild Life Act and Regulations and the 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide. It is important to understand the regulations, safe hunting techniques and know the dates for the various hunting seasons and bag limits. The Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division also encourages hunters to wear blaze orange while hunting.

Copies of the 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/hunting/hunttrap.pdf

Copies of the Wild Life Act and Regulations can be found at www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/w08.htm 

In addition, for information concerning wildlife enforcement, nuisance wildlife and nuisance wildlife permits, hunters are asked to contact the Department of Justice:

• Eastern Newfoundland Region: 709-729-8377 (including the northeast coast, the Burin, Bonavista and Avalon peninsulas , and areas east of the Baie d’Espoir and Botwood highways)
• Western Newfoundland Region: 709-637-4068 (including the Baie d’Espoir and Botwood highways, the Connaigre, Baie Verte and Northern Peninsulas, and the southwest coast)
• Labrador Region: 709-282-3433

Hunters are encouraged to report suspected poaching activity anonymously by calling toll-free 1-877-820-0999 (24 hours, seven days a week) or by visiting www.stoppoaching.ca.

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Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca 

2011 09 16                                      11:45 a.m.