Environment and Conservation
April 6, 2015
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 2015-16 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game licence applications are now available online and are being 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 at //www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/pdf/HuntingGuide2015_16.pdf 
Application Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of moose/caribou applications (by mail or online) for the 2015 big game licence draw is the close of business, 4:30 pm NST, on Friday, May 8. To receive a black bear licence prior to the opening of the Island spring season on May 2, applications and payments must be received by the close of business on Friday, April 24. To ensure receipt of a black bear licence prior to the opening of the Island fall season on September 12, applications and payments must be received by the close of business, 4:30 NST on Friday, June 26. Note that black bear applications/payments must be mailed separately from moose/caribou applications. Note: The deadline date has been extended from May 1, which appears in the printed guide.
Grey Islands Caribou
As noted in the Hunting and Trapping Guide (page 28), "as new information is gathered herd quota allocations may be subject to change." Winter surveys conducted after the printing of the 2015/16 Hunting and Trapping Guide suggest a substantial decline in caribou numbers on Grey Island, and as a result, the current allocation of 10 either sex licences will be withdrawn and the area closed to hunting.
Fee Changes
There have been increases to some licence fees for 2015-16. The new fees are noted below.
| Licence Type | Fee |
| Moose Licence | |
| Resident | $52.00 |
| Resident (Senior) | $33.80 |
| Non-Resident | $502.00 |
| Caribou Licence (Newfoundland) | |
| Resident | $52.00 |
| Resident (Senior) | $33.80 |
| Non-Resident | $675.00 |
| Black Bear Licence | |
| Resident (Labrador) | $35.10 |
| Resident (Labrador) (Senior) | $22.80 |
| Resident (Application) | $39.00 |
| Resident (Application) (Senior) | $25.35 |
| Non-Resident | $150.00 |
| Small Game (Ptarmigan/Grouse/Hare) & Coyote Licence | |
| Resident Small Game/Coyote (Combined) | $10.00 |
| Resident Small Game/Coyote (Senior) | $6.50 |
| Non-Resident Small Game/Coyote (Canadian) | $50.00 |
| Non-Resident Small Game/Coyote (Alien) | $100.00 |
| Trapper�s Licence | |
| General Trapper�s Licence | $15.00 |
| General Trapper�s Licence (Senior) | $9.75 |
| Beaver Trapline Licence (Island) | $15.00 |
| Beaver Trapline Licence (Island) (Senior) | $9.75 |
Non-Profit/Charitable Moose Licence Applications
The deadline for registered non-profit and charitable moose licence applications is the close of business, 4:30 pm NST on Friday, May 8. Note: The deadline date has been extended from May 1, which appears in the printed guide. 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 4, 2015, and April 29, 2016 throughout all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, for those with a valid licence, provided the season for the game being hunted is open.
Small Game and Coyote
For the 2015-16 season, the small game and coyote shooting licences have been combined into a single licence fee. Hunters and trappers are advised that previous conditions involving firearms and ammunition permitted for small game hunting and coyote still apply. Small game 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.
Small Game Seasons
| Ptarmigan Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Avalon/Swift Current | September 19 to November 8, 2015 | October 10, 2015 to March 13, 2016 |
| Burin | September 19 to November 8, 2015 | CLOSED |
| The Topsails | September 19 to November 15, 2015 | October 10, 2015 to March 13, 2016 |
| Bell Island | September 19 to November 8, 2015 | CLOSED |
| Remainder of Island | September 19 to December 6, 2015 | October 10, 2015 to March 13, 2016 |
| Labrador | October 1, 2015 to April 20, 2016 | October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 |
| Grouse Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Island | September 19 to December 27, 2015 | October 10, 2015 to March 13, 2016 |
| Bell Island | September 19 to December 27, 2015 | CLOSED |
| Labrador | October 1, 2015 to April 20, 2016 | October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 |
| Snowshoe Hare Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Great Island | October 10 to December 27, 2015 | October 10 to December 27, 2015 |
| Little Bay Islands | October 10 to November 1, 2015 | October 10 to November 1, 2015 |
| Bell Island | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Remainder of Island | October 10, 2015 to March 13, 2016 | October 10, 2015 to March 13, 2016 |
| Labrador | October 1, 2015 to April 20, 2016 | October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 |
| Arctic Hare Season | Shooting | Snaring |
| Island | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Labrador | October 1, 2015 to April 20, 2016 | October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 |
| Porcupine | Shooting | N/A |
| Labrador Only | October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | N/A |
Coyote Shooting Season
The coyote shooting season is September 12, 2015, to July 2, 2016. Licence holders 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).
Moose (Island)
On the Island, increases have been made to licence quotas in provincial Moose Management Areas (MMAs) 12 (50), 15 (100), 28A (5), 30 (50), 31 (200) 33 (150), 34 (200), 35 (100), 36 (200), 41 (50), 44 (25) while decreases have been made in MMAs 1 (-100), 2E (-50), 9 (-50), 21 (-100), 25 (-50) and 32 (-50). There are two new MMAs for 2015-16; the Avalon Moose Reduction Zone (MRZ), MMA 100, with a quota of 300 licences, and the Central Moose Reduction Zone, MA 101 with a quota of 200 licences.
The total allocation for the Island is 32, 430 with an overall increase of 1,425 licences compared to the 2014-15 season. Five hundred moose licences are available to charitable and non-profit organizations (NFP); 100 of the 500 NFP licences are administered through Gros Morne Park and 30 are administered by Terra Nova Park.
A boundary adjustment has been made to MMA 6; the offshore island known as Woods Island is now included within the MMA's boundary.
| Moose Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Area 1 to 2B, 3 to 27, 37, 39 to 43 and 45 | September 12 to December 27, 2015 |
| *Area 28, 29 to 36, 38, 44 and 47 | October 3, 2015 to January 31, 2016 |
| *Area 100 Avalon MRZ | September 19, 2015 to January 31, 2016 |
| Area 101 Central MRZ | August 29, 2015 to December 27, 2015 |
| Gros Morne National Park Area 2E Zone 1 | September 12, 2015 to February 7, 2016 |
| Gros Morne National Park Area 2E Zone 2 | October 13, 2015 to February 7, 2016 |
| Gros Morne National Park Area 2E Zone 3 | November 7, 2015 to February 7, 2016 |
| Terra Nova National Park Area 28A Zone 1 | September 12, 2015 to January 31, 2016 |
| Terra Nova National Park Area 28A Zone 2 | October 13, 2015 to January 31, 2016 |
| Terra Nova National Park Area 28A Zone 3 | October 26, 2015 to January 31, 2016 |
| For more information about hunting moose in Gros Morne and Terra Nova National Parks visit www.pc.gc.ca/foresthealth | |
*Note : The closing season date for these areas as printed in the tables on page 24 of the 2015-16 Hunting and Trapping Guide is incorrect. The correct closing date is listed above.
Moose (Labrador)
In Labrador, the total moose licence quota is 310 increased 35 from the 2014-15 season, accounting for increases in the following MMAs: 53(5), 57(5), 58(5), 84(5), 94(10) and 95 (5). 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 12, 2015 to March 13, 2016 |
Caribou (Island of Newfoundland)
On the Island of Newfoundland, the licence quota for caribou will increase in CMA 64 by 45, while CMA 69 will have a quota decrease of 40 licences for the 2015-16 hunting season for a total increase of five licences island wide compared to the 2014-15 hunting season. Winter surveys conducted after the printing of the Guide suggest a substantial decline in caribou numbers on Grey Island, and as a result, the current allocation of 10 either sex licences will be withdrawn and the area closed to hunting.
The results of intensive monitoring and research during the 5-Year Newfoundland Caribou Strategy (2008-2013) continue to be used towards improved management and decision making for our Island caribou populations. A report summarizing the Newfoundland Caribou Strategy program and recommendations for sustainable caribou management is expected to be released in 2015.
The island caribou population decline resulted from natural processes but continuing uncertainty about the role of coyote (a relatively new predator in the system) resulted in the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessing the Newfoundland island caribou population as "Special Concern." If listed at this level, there are no prohibitions against domestic or commercial harvesting under either federal or provincial legislation.
| Area 61, 62, 64, 66 to 69 and 76 to 79 | September 12 to December 6, 2015 |
| Area 70 | September 19 to October 3, 2015 |
| *Area 71 | Closed |
| Area 72 | September 12 to October 11, 2015 |
*Note: The season date for Caribou Management Area 71 printed the the table on page 28 of the 2015-16 Hunting and Trapping Guide is not applicable.
Black Bear (Island of Newfoundland)
Seasons and quotas remain unchanged from the 2015-16 season.
| Black Bear Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Spring 2015 (All Open Areas) | May 2 to July 4, 2015 |
| Fall 2015 (All Open Areas) | September 12 to November 1, 2015 |
| Spring 2016 (All Open Areas) | May 7 to July 2, 2016 |
| Black Bear Seasons � Labrador | |
| Fall 2015 (George River Zone) | August 10 to November 30, 2015 |
| Fall 2015 (Labrador South Zone) | September 1 to November 30, 2015 |
| Spring 2016 (George River Zone) | April 1 to July 13, 2016 |
| Spring 2016 (Labrador South Zone) | April 1 to July 13, 2016 |
Caribou (Labrador)
The previously announced hunting ban involving George River caribou in Labrador remains in effect. Extensive monitoring and research continues for the George River Caribou under the Labrador Caribou Initiative in collaboration with Aboriginal groups and the province of Quebec to aid recovery of migratory caribou populations that have declined dramatically in that region. For a review of some of the work being done and updates on the George River Herd please see the Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Furbearer Trapping
Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island of Newfoundland must be received on or before October 15. To ensure your beaver licence is received by the start of the season, applications should be received by August 23, 2015. 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.
On the Island, 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.
The Wildlife Division will conduct an in-season review of lynx populations, accidental capture and snowshoe hare monitoring to determine whether or not lynx seasons will open in Zone B during the 2015-16 season. Should the season open, a public advisory will be issued.
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 28 is not guaranteed to receive a trapper's licence in the 2015-16 season. Further information about available courses is available through the Wildlife Division by calling 637-2025, or emailing huntertraining@gov.nl.ca.
The list of certified killing and restraining traps regulated for use under the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards has been updated for Ermine (weasel) and Lynx for the 2015-16 trapping season. For more information please visit //www.fur.ca/TRS_index.php
Furbearer Seasons (Island of Newfoundland)
| Species | Season Dates |
| Beaver | October 20, 2015 to April 15, 2016 |
| Muskrat | November 1, 2015 to March 15, 2016 |
| Otter | November 1, 2015 to March 15, 2016 |
| Mink | November 1, 2015 to February 28, 2016 |
| Coyote | November 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016 |
| Fox, Coloured | November 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016 |
| Fox, White | November 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016 |
| Lynx | December 1 to December 31, 2015 (Zone A Only) |
| Ermine (Weasel) | November 1, 2015 to February 28, 2016 |
| Squirrel | November 1, 2015 to February 28, 2016 |
Furbearer Seasons (Labrador)
| Species | Labrador North | Labrador South |
| Beaver | October 15, 2015 to May 31, 2016 | October 15, 2015 to May 31, 2016 |
| Muskrat | October 5, 2015 to May 31, 2016 | October 15, 2015 to May 31, 2016 |
| Otter | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | October 15, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Mink | November 1, 2015 to March 1, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Coyote | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Fox - Coloured | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Fox - White | October 15, 2015 to May 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Lynx | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Wolf | October 15, 2015 to April 30, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 |
| Ermine (Weasel) | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Squirrel | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Marten | October 15, 2015 to March 31, 2016 | November 1, 2015 to March 20, 2016 |
| Fisher | No Open Season | No Open Season |
| Wolverine | No Open Season | No Open Season |
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Media contact:
| Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
2015 04 06 2:40 p.m.