April 11, 2014
Public Advisory: Hunting and Trapping Guide, Big Game Licence Applications Now Available
The Department of Environment and Conservation wishes to advise the public that the 2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game licence applications are now available online and have been mailed out to all qualified, eligible resident hunters.
All qualified resident hunters who submit a big game licence application online before the deadline dates will become eligible to win prizes in three categories. Hunters should refer to this year’s Hunting and Trapping Guide available online - www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/pdf/HuntingGuide2014-15lowres.pdf
Application Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of moose/caribou applications (by mail or online) for the 2014 big game licence draw is the close of business on Friday, May 2. To receive a black bear licence prior to the opening of the Island spring season on May 3, applications and payments must be received by the close of business on Friday, April 25. To ensure receipt of a black bear licence prior to the opening of the Island fall season on September 13, applications and payments must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 27. Note that black bear applications/payments must be mailed separately from moose/caribou applications.
Non-Profit/Charitable Moose Licence Applications
The deadline for registered non-profit and charitable moose licence applications is the close of business on Friday, May 2. Applications and additional information about this program is available from the Wildlife Division or by visiting www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/permits/nfpapplication.pdf
Hunting on a Sunday
Sunday hunting is permitted between October 5, 2014, and April 30, 2015, throughout all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, to those with a valid licence and provided the season for the game being hunted is open.
Coyote Shooting Licence
The season for holders of a coyote shooting licence is September 13, 2014, to July 4, 2015. Holders of this licence type are permitted to use center-fire rifles up to and including a .225 calibre or a shotgun using shot size #2 or larger (slugs are not permitted).
Small Game
The 2014-15 snowshoe hare shooting and snaring season for the remainder of the Island has been extended by two weeks. Snarers are reminded that only 22 gauge brass or six strand picture cord is permitted for small game areas that are open on the Island of Newfoundland.
Ptarmigan Seasons (Island of Newfoundland)
| Ptarmigan Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Avalon/Swift Current | September 20 to November 9, 2014 | October 11, 2014 to February 22, 2015 |
| Burin | September 20 to November 9, 2014 | CLOSED |
| The Topsails | September 20 to November 16, 2014 | September 20 to November 9, 2014 |
| Bell Island | September 20 to November 9, 2014 | CLOSED |
| Remainder of Island | September 20 to December 7, 2014 | October 11, 2014 to February 22, 2015 |
| Labrador | October 1, 2014 to April 20, 2015 | October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 |
| Grouse Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Island | September 20 to December 28, 2014 | October 11, 2014 to February 22, 2015 |
| Bell Island | September 20 to December 28 2014 | CLOSED |
| Labrador | October 1, 2014 to April 20, 2015 | October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 |
| Snowshoe Hare Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Great Island | October 11 to December 28, 2014 | October 11 to December 28, 2014 |
| Little BayIslands | October 11 to November 2, 2014 | October 11 to November 2, 2014 |
| Bell Island | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Remainder of Island | October 11, 2014 to March 8, 2015 | October 11, 2014 to March 8, 2015 |
| Labrador | October 1, 2014 to April 20, 2015 | October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 |
| Arctic Hare Season | Shooting | Snaring |
| Island | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Labrador | October 1, 2014 to April 20, 2015 | October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 |
| Porcupine | Shooting | |
| Labrador Only | October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | N/A |
Moose (Island)
On the Island, increases have been made to licence quotas in provincial Moose Management Areas (MMAs) 12 (25), 19 (50), 30 (50), 37 (50), 38 (50) while decreases have been made in MMAs 1 (-100), 17 (-50), 21 (-100), 25 (-100), 32 (-100), 40 (-50), 42 (-50) and 43 (-50).
Three-hundred-five moose licences are available to charitable and not-for-profit organizations (NFP); 50 of the 305 NFP licences are administered through Gros Morne Park and another five are administered by Terra Nova Park.
| Moose Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Area 1 to 2B, 3 to 27, 37, 39 to 43 and 45 | September 13 to December 28, 2014 |
| Area 28, 29 to 36, 38, 44 and 47 | October 4, 2014 to January 25, 2015 |
| Gros MorneNational Park Area 2E Zone 1 | September 13, 2014 to February 1, 2015 |
| Gros MorneNational Park Area 2E Zone 2 | October 14, 2014 to February 1, 2015 |
| Gros MorneNational Park Area 2E Zone 3 | November 1, 2013 to February 1, 2015 |
| Gros MorneNational Park Area 2E Zone 4 | Four smaller areas with variable dates |
| Terra Nova National Park Area 28A Zone 1 | October 14, 2014 to January 25, 2015 |
| Terra Nova National Park Area 28A Zone 2 | October 27, 2014 to January 25, 2015 |
| For more information about hunting moose in Gros Morne and TerraNovaNational Parks visit www.pc.gc.ca/foresthealth | |
Caribou (Island of Newfoundland)
On the Island of Newfoundland, licence quotas for caribou will remain the same as the 2013 hunting season at 740 animals consisting of 390 either-sex and 350 male-only licences.
An update on the province’s Newfoundland Caribou Strategy is contained in the 2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Guide and outlines progress to date and an understanding of the current health and status of caribou populations on the Island.
| Caribou Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Area 61, 62, 64, 66 to 69 and 76 to 79 | September 13 to December 7, 2014 |
| Area 70 | September 20 to October 5, 2014 |
| Area 71 | September 20 to November 2, 2014 |
| Area 72 | September 13 to October 12, 2014 |
Moose (Labrador)
In Labrador, two new MMAs were added; Churchill Falls North MMA 95 and Bibikwasin MMA 96 with quotas of five licences respectively. The total quota is 275 accounting for an increase of 10 licences. All licences are either-sex licences.
Moose licences issued to the Nunatsiavut Government are not issued through the big game licence draw. These include licences in MMA’s 88, 89, 91 and 92. For more information, please contact the Nunatsiavut Government, Department of Lands and Natural Resources at 709-896-8582 or visit their website at www.nunatsiavut.com.
| Moose Seasons – Labrador | |
| All Areas | September 13, 2014 to March 8, 2015 |
Black Bear (Island of Newfoundland)
Slight adjustments have been made to management area boundaries between Area’s 1 and 45, and area’s 4 and 41. Seasons remain consistent with previous years.
| Black Bear Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Spring 2014 (All Open Areas) | May 3 to July 5, 2014 |
| Fall 2014 (All Open Areas) | September 13 to November 2, 2014 |
| Spring 2015 (All Open Areas) | May 2 to July 4, 2015 |
| Black Bear Seasons – Labrador | |
| Spring 2013 (All Open Areas) | April 1 to July 13, 2013 |
| Fall 2014 (George River Zone) | August 10 to November 30, 2014 |
| Fall 2014 (Labrador South Zone) | September 1 to November 30, 2014 |
| Spring 2015 (All Open Areas) | April 1 to July 13, 2015 |
Caribou (Labrador)
The previously announced closure to hunting George River caribou remains in effect. An update on the status and health of this herd is contained in the 2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Furbearer Trapping
All Island furbearer trapping seasons now open on November 1 (excluding beaver). Beaver trapping has been extended by two weeks on the Island and now closes on April 15, 2015.
Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island of Newfoundland must be received on or before October 15. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.
Marten caught accidently on the Island must be immediately turned over to the nearest Department of Natural Resources office.
Trappers must surrender all lynx (pelt and carcass) trapped accidentally to a Wildlife office or Department of Natural Resources office within seven days of the time of capture. Trappers will be paid $25 for lynx taken this way.
In Labrador, licensed trappers are asked to voluntarily submit lynx carcasses to the nearest Wildlife office or 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.
Only licensed trappers may participate in trapping activities. A person who completes the trapper education course after August 29 is not guaranteed to receive a trapper’s licence in the 2014-15 season. Contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Trapper’s Association about available courses, www.nltrappers.com or email chp.trap@hotmail.ca
New traps have been added to the list of those certified for harvest and control of furbearers. For more information please visit //www.fur.ca/TRS_index.php.
Furbearer Seasons (Island of Newfoundland)
| Species | Season Dates |
| Beaver | October 20, 2014 to April15, 2015 |
| Muskrat | November 1, 2014 to March 15, 2015 |
| Otter | November 1, 2014 to March 15, 2015 |
| Mink | November 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015 |
| Coyote | November 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015 |
| Fox, Coloured | November 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015 |
| Fox, White | November 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015 |
| Lynx | December 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (Zone A Only) |
| Ermine (Weasel) | November 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015 |
| Squirrel | November 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015 |
Furbearer Seasons (Labrador)
| Species | Labrador North | Labrador South |
| Beaver | October 15, 2014 to May 31, 2015 | October 15, 2014 to May 31, 2015 |
| Muskrat | October 5, 2014 to May 31, 2015 | October 15, 2014 to May 31, 2015 |
| Otter | October 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | October 15, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Mink | November 1, 2014 to March 1, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Coyote | October 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Fox, Coloured | October 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Fox, White | October 15, 2014 to May 31, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Lynx | October 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Wolf | October 15, 2014 to April 30, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 |
| Ermine (Weasel) | October 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Squirrel | October 15, 2014 to March 1, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Marten | October 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015 | November 1, 2014 to March 20, 2015 |
| Fisher | No Open Season | No Open Season |
| Wolverine | No Open Season | No Open Season |
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Media contact:Deborah Thomas
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 728-8092
deborahthomas@gov.nl.ca
2014 04 11 1:10 p.m.