Minister announces 2000/2001 big game licence seasons and quotas

Kevin Aylward, minister responsible for inland fish and wildlife, announced today that applications for the 2000/2001 moose and caribou draw and black bear licences are now being mailed out to all of the province�s qualified big game hunters.

The minister advises that before completing an application, hunters should thoroughly read the 2000 Big Game Licence Application Guide enclosed with the application.

This year�s mail-out also includes a brochure from the chief firearms officer regarding aspects of the new federal firearms regulations. Hunters are asked to please review this brochure and should direct any questions on the new firearms regulations to the chief firearms office.

"On the island, 28,570 moose licences and 7,460 caribou licences are available for the 2000/2001 hunting season. This represents an increase of 350 moose licences and an increase of 665 caribou licences from the 1999 hunting season. In Labrador, 175 licences are available for the 2000/2001 hunting season. This represents no change to the overall quota from the previous hunting season," said the minister.

To become eligible for the 2000/2001 Big Game Licence Draw, new hunters must have completed the province�s Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course before November 30, 1999. Persons must also be 18 years of age or older by August 31, 1999 in order to apply. To become eligible for the 2001Big Game Licence Draw, new hunters will be required to complete the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course before November 30, 2000.

Applications for the big game licence draw and spring bear applications must reach the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division Office in St. John�s before the close of business hours on Monday, March 27. Applications for fall black bear licences for the island must be received by the close of business hours on June 23, 2000.

"I wish to remind hunters that the province�s wildlife resources are one of our most valuable assets and that we each share a responsibility to ensure that we use it wisely for ourselves and future generations." said the minister

2000 - 2001 SEASONS - BIG GAME HUNTING

* Open to Harbour Deep residents only who hold a valid big game licence for Area 3A.

** Note change from 1999/2000 Hunting guide and 2000/2001 Application Guide

Highlights

• Increases have occurred to the licence quotas in five moose management areas (MMA) and are as follows: Area 23(+100), Area 26 (+60), Area 40 (+250), Area 43 (+200) and Area 45 (+150). The quotas in seven MMA�s have decreased and include: Area 11 (-100), Area 12 (-100), Area 28 (-50), Area 33 (-50), Area 37 (-50) , Area 38 (-30) and Area 47 (-30).

• Several large offshore islands that are adjacent to MMA 25 and 26 have been included as part of the these MMA�s. Chapel Island is now included in boundary for MMA 25 and Rencontre Island is now a part of MMA 26. Other offshore islands will remain closed to moose hunting.

• The 2000/2001 seasons for MMA�s on the island will remain consistent with the 1999/2000 seasons and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closures.

• Increases have occurred to the licence quotas in seven caribou management areas (CMA) and are as follows: Area 63 (+150), Area 64 (+250), Area 66 (+20), Area 67 (+50), Area 69 (+40), Area 71 (+5) and Area 76 (+150).

• In CMA 65, 25 either-sex and 75 antlerless licences will again be available for the 2000 season. Hunters interested in applying for a licence in CMA 65 should note that during the application/draw process there is no distinction in the type of licence being awarded (ie. the computer recognizes all the licences to be either-sex for CMA 65). After the draw is complete, successful applicants for CMA 65 will be entered into a manual draw to see who actually receives the either-sex licences and antlerless licences. More detailed information will be provided to the successful applicants immediately following the draw process.

• A boundary modification has been made between CMA�s 63 and 67 which now uses the Chrystal Lake access road near Grand Falls instead of a straight line boundary.

• The 2000 season for CMA�s on the island will remain consistent with the 1999 season and have been adjusted for Saturday openings and closures.

• Black bear season dates for fall black bear management areas (BMA) 2, 5, 6, 28, 29 and 30 will now open and close during the same time as all other open BMA�s throughout the island. The fall season for BMA�s will open on Sept. 9/2000 and close on Oct. 28/2000.

• Boundary modifications noted for MMA�s 25 and 26 also apply to BMA�s.

Moose - Labrador

• A boundary revision to MMA 51 (Grand Falls) in Labrador has been made which extends the area further south towards the Atikonak River. This change will be reflected in the MMA Hunting Map that accompanies a licence.

• The 2000/2001 season for Labrador MMA�s will remain consistent with the 1999/2000 seasons, except for MMA 53A which now opens on Sept. 9/2000 and closes on Mar. 17/2001.

• The annual bag limit for black bears has been reduced to two bears in all of Labrador BMA�s. Current black bear population information in Labrador suggests a need to reduce the overall hunter harvest.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron (709) 729-6183