NLIS 2
September 12, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
 

Hunting seasons officially open

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and minister responsible for wildlife, advises the general opening of the hunting season for big game in many parts of the island begins September 14, 2002. In Labrador, some of the big game season has already opened.

For the 2002-2003 hunt, there is a slight reduction in moose quotas from 27,820 to 27,650 less 170. "Out of the 47 management areas, three have increased and four have decreased the number of issued licences. There were no essential changes to the caribou quota," said Minister Bettney. "These changes are based on annual planning and ensure we do not over-harvest."


Hunters should note that information for this year's hunting and trapping seasons can be found in the 2002-2003 Hunting and Trapping Guide available at various government offices including the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, Government Services Centres, and Inland Fish and Wildlife Division offices. Also, the public can view the 2002-2003 Hunting and Trapping Guide on the government Web site: www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/wildlife/publications/wildlifeguide.pdf

"Hunting and trapping are important parts of the culture and lifestyle enjoyed by thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, as well as by visitors to the province each year," said Minister Bettney. "Hunters and trappers play an important part in helping to manage the province's wildlife resources and we all share the responsibility to sustain these resources for future generations. I wish all hunters and trappers a safe and enjoyable season."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-0928

Backgrounder

HIGHLIGHTS - BIG GAME

Moose

On the island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in three Moose Management Areas (MMA) - MMA 2 (+100), MMA 20 (+30) and MMA 45 (+100) while decreases have occurred in four MMAs, MMA 3 (-200), MMA 13 (-50), MMA 33 (-50) and MMA 42 (-100).

The season for MMA 14 and 41 have been adjusted to reflect an earlier opening and closure (September 14/2002 to December 14/2002) and is now consistent with other MMAs in the central region of the province.

Caribou

On the island, increases have occurred to Caribou Management Areas (CMA) - CMA 61 (+50) and CMA 63 (+50). CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will be closed to caribou hunting starting this season pending a review of the Avalon herd�s status during the winter/spring of 2002 with a possibility of a hunt being established for 2003. It is believed that the stag (male) component of the Avalon herd is low and must be addressed before a new harvest strategy is determined.

Black Bear (Labrador)

Beginning in 2002, the spring black bear season in Labrador has been extended and will have a new fixed closing date, July 13, 2002.


Big Game Seasons

Moose - Newfoundland
Areas 1 to 13, 14,15 to 27, 37, 39 to 40 to 43 and 45                    Sept. 14, 2002 to Dec. 14, 2002
Areas 28 to 36, 38, 44 and 47                                                     Oct. 5, 2002 to Jan. 4, 2003
Area 3A                                                                                    *Feb. 1, 2003 to Feb. 15, 2003

*Open to Harbour Deep residents (and members of a party licence for Area 3A) only who hold a valid big game licence for Area 3A

Moose - Labrador
Areas 48, 51 to 53, 57 and 58                                                       Sept. 14, 2002 to Jan. 4, 2003
Areas 49, 50, 53A to 56 and 85                                                     Sept. 14, 2002 to Mar. 15, 2003
Areas 59 and 60                                                                          Sept. 7, 2002 to Mar. 15, 2003

Caribou - Newfoundland
Areas 61 to 64, 66 to 69, 76 to 79                                                 Sept. 14, 2002 to Dec. 14, 2002
Area 70                                                                                       Sept. 14, 2002 to Sept. 28, 2002
Area 71                                                                                       Sept. 7, 2002 to Nov. 9, 2002
Area 72                                                                                       Sept. 14, 2002 to Oct. 12, 2002

Caribou - Labrador
Torngat Mountains                                                                        Aug. 10, 2002 to April 30, 2003
George River                                                                                Aug. 10, 2002 to April 30, 2003
Other zones                                                                                 To be announced

Black Bear - Newfoundland
Spring (2002) - All open areas                                                        May 11, 2002 to July 13, 2002
Fall (2001) - All open areas                                                            Sept.14, 2002 to Nov. 2, 2002
Spring (2003) - All open areas                                                        May 10, 2003 to July 12, 2003

Black Bear - Labrador
Spring (2002) All open areas                                                           April 1, 2002 to July13, 2002
Fall (2002) Torngat Mountains and George River                               Aug 10, 2002 to Nov. 30, 2002
Fall (2002) Labrador South                                                             Sept. 1, 2002 to Nov. 30, 2002
Spring (2003) All open areas                                                           April 1, 2003 to July 13, 2003

HIGHLIGHTS - SMALL GAME

On the island, the opening and closing of ptarmigan shooting seasons have been adjusted in response to the general opinions and preferences of a majority of hunters in the province to have a later opening for ptarmigan hunting. The overall season length in each of these zones has been unchanged (see season dates below).

New daily/field bag limits, six daily and 12 field bag, are in effect for ptarmigan shooting and snaring in the Topsails area (island) starting this season.


Small Game Seasons

       Ptarmigan                                 Shooting                                           Snaring

Avalon/Swift Current

Sept. 28, 2002 to Nov. 9, 2002

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Burin

Sept. 28, 2002 to Nov. 9, 2002

CLOSED

The Topsails

Sept. 28, 2002 to Nov. 30, 2002

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Remainder of Island

Sept. 28, 2002 to Dec. 14, 2002

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Labrador

Oct. 1, 2002 to April 20, 2003

Oct. 1, 2002 to Mar. 31, 2003

 

          Grouse                                Shooting                                                Snaring

Island

Sept. 21, 2002 to Dec. 28,2002

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Labrador

Oct. 1, 2002 to April 20, 2003

Oct. 1, 2002 to Mar. 31, 2003


           Grouse                               Shooting                                                  Snaring

Island

Sept. 21, 2002 to Dec. 28,2002

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Labrador

Oct. 1, 2002 to April 20, 2003

Oct. 1, 2002 to Mar. 31, 2003

       Snowshoe Hare                      Shooting                                                   Snaring

Great Island

Oct. 12, 2002 to Dec. 28,2002

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22, 2003

Little Bay Islands

Oct. 12, 2002 to Nov. 2, 2002

Oct. 12,2002 to Nov. 2, 2002

Bell Island

CLOSED

Oct. 12, 2002 to Nov. 2, 2002

Remainder of island

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Oct. 12, 2002 to Feb. 22,2003

Labrador

Oct. 1, 2002 to April 20, 2003

Oct. 1,2002 to Mar. 31, 2003

        Arctic Hare                              Shooting                                                  Snaring

Island

CLOSED

CLOSED

Labrador

Oct. 1, 2002 to April 20, 2003

Oct. 1,2002 to Mar. 31, 2003

HIGHLIGHTS - TRAPPING

Trapping seasons for island furbearer species remain unchanged compared to last year, except the lynx season for Zone C, which now opens Oct. 20, 2002 and closes Feb. 1, 2003. Licenced trappers are advised that compulsory lynx registration and carcass submission is required for the island. The deadline for lynx registration is the close of business hours on Friday, February 7, 2003. Lynx carcass submission for licenced trappers in Labrador is voluntary.

Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island must be received on or before October 15, 2002. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.

In Labrador, boundaries and season dates remain consistent with those announced in a press release by the Minister of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on October 3, 2001. Revisions were made at that time which included the creation of the Labrador North and Labrador South Zone and adjustments to trapping season dates for each of these new zones.

Trapping Seasons
Newfoundland

SPECIES

Season Date

Beaver

Oct 20, 2002 - Mar 15, 2003

Ermine

Oct 20, 2002 - Feb 28, 2003

Fox-colored

Oct 20, 2002 - Feb 1, 2003

Fox - White

Oct 20, 2002 - Feb 1, 2003

Coyote

Oct 20, 2002- Feb 1, 2003

Lynx

ZONES A & B
Jan 1, 2003 -Feb 1, 2003

ZONE C
Oct 20, 2002 - Feb 1, 2003

Marten

No Open Season

Mink

Nov 1, 2002 - Feb 28, 2003

Muskrat

Oct 20, 2002 - Mar 15, 2003

Otter

Oct 20, 2002 - Mar15, 2003

Squirrel

Oct 20, 2002 - Feb 28, 2003

 

Wolf

No Open Season

Fisher

No Open Season

Wolverine

No Open Season

Labrador

SPECIES

Labrador North

Labrador South

Beaver

Oct 15/2002 - May 31/2003

Oct 15/2002 - May 31/2003

Ermine

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Fox-colored

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Fox - White

Oct 15/2002 - May 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Coyote

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Lynx

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Marten

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Mink

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Muskrat

Oct 5/2002 - May 31/2003

Oct 15/2002- May 31/2003

Otter

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 20/2003

Squirrel

Oct 15/2002 - Mar 31/2003

Nov 1/2002- Mar 20/2003

Wolf

Oct 15//2002 - Apr 30/2003

Nov 1/2002 - Apr 30/2003

Fisher

No Open Season

No Open Season

Wolverine

No Open Season

No Open Season

General Highlights

Coyote Hunting Program

Starting this year, hunters who hold a valid big game or small game licence will be permitted to shoot coyotes during the open season and during the period in which the licence is valid. For licenced big game hunters, coyotes may only be harvested within their big game management area where the licence is valid and up until the big game licence is filled. Firearms and ammunition used for big game hunting may be used to harvest coyote. For licenced small game hunters, coyotes may be harvested in areas open to small game hunting and during the open season. For the purposes of harvesting coyotes, small game hunters must use shotgun ammunition, shot size # 2 or larger (ie. BB) or they may use a .22 rimfire rifle as is currently permitted for small game hunting. All big game hunters and small game hunters must report the numbers of coyotes taken and must submit coyote carcasses to their nearest DFRA Office. Hunters may offer coyote pelts for market. Fur Export Permits may be required for hunters shipping furs out of province that are not handled through a fur agent.

NEW CLOSED AREA - Corduroy Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor

A new NO SHOOTING area is in effect for the Corduroy Brook Development Complex near Grand Falls-Windsor. Hunters are advised that hunting with firearms is prohibited within this zone. For complete information on area boundary description, please contact your nearest DFRA Office.

White Moose Protection, MMA 43

Special protection has been provided for a rare and interesting white moose that currently resides on the Port au Port Peninsula, MMA 43. Sightings of this particular moose are common and local residents have assumed a stewardship responsibility towards this unique animal. Hunters who hold a valid moose hunting licence for MMA 43 should be aware that these licences are not valid to shoot moose that are predominately white in colour.

Media contact: John Blake, Manager, Conservation Services, Wildlife Division, (709) 637-2354 or Chris Baldwin, Training Specialist, Wildlife Division, (709) 637-2020 or

2002 09 12                                  10:10 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement