2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game licence applications mailed

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today that applications for the 2003-2004 moose and caribou draw and black bear licences are now being mailed to all qualified big game hunters in the province.

The minister advises that before completing an application, hunters should thoroughly read the 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide enclosed with the application. The guide contains detailed information on this year�s wildlife management plan for provincial game and furbearer species including opening and closing dates, hunting and non-hunting zones, and other changes related to big game and small game hunting and trapping.

In this year�s management plan, 27,220 moose licences and 7,680 caribou licences are available on the island for the 2003-2004 hunting season. This represents an overall decrease of 600 moose licences and a decrease of 50 caribou licences compared to the 2002-2003 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2003-2004 hunting season.

Applications for the big game draw and spring black bear licences for the island must be returned to the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division in Corner Brook before the close of business on Tuesday, April 22, 2003. The original date published in this year�s Hunting Guide (April 18, 2003) is incorrect. However, hunters are advised to submit their applications well in advance of the April 22 deadline.

This year, all eligible resident big game hunters have the option of applying in the moose and caribou (Island) draw for a licence or pool advancement on the Internet by visiting http//www.wildlife.gov.nf.ca. The minister said she is pleased this option is available to hunters in the province. She added that big game hunters who prefer to use the mail-in application process can still do so if they don�t have access to computers.

Applications for the fall black bear licences for the island must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 20, 2003. Applicants should note that at least two weeks are required for the processing of black bear licences.

Wildlife resources remain an important part of our province�s riches. Together, we share responsibility for making sure we sustain these resources for the benefit of future generations," said Minister Bettney. "I encourage everyone to become involved in the outdoors and I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable hunting and trapping season."

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

Online Access - Big Game Licence Draw Results
This year, resident big game licence draw applicants for moose and island caribou will be able to apply and view their licence draw results via the Internet. The results will be available only after the draw is complete. Big game applications mailed out to all eligible resident big game hunters will include online access code information specific to each individual application. Hunters are advised to keep this information in a secure location. Specific information regarding the online big game licence application process is included in the 2003-2004 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program
To encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island have endorsed another Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2003. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the opportunity to be considered for the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program is open to all residents between the ages of 12 and 17 who complete a Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Course between July 2002 and June 2003. Only one person will be selected and he/she will be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The winner, along with a parent or guardian, will travel to Prince Edward Island to experience a waterfowl hunt during October 2003. Travel arrangements, meals, accommodations and other outdoor items for the winner, including a parent or guardian, are being supplied and supported by local sponsors in each jurisdiction. More details are outlined in this year�s Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Areas Re-Opened to Hunting and Trapping - Emberley and Jude Island, Placentia Bay
The prohibition order which restricted hunting and trapping on Emberley and Jude Island, Placentia Bay has been removed. Small game shooting, snaring and trapping is now open on these islands. Season dates and bag limits for ptarmigan are consistent with the Avalon/Swift Current zone for the 2003 season. Snowshoe hare and grouse season dates and bag limits are consistent with the Remainder of the Island seasons and bag limits. Trapping seasons are consistent with seasons outlined for fur species for the Island and are outlined in the 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide and this news release.

New Moose and Caribou Tags
A review of the current tags being used for moose and caribou hunters is ongoing and plans to implement a new tag system is expected be in place during the fall of 2003. More details on the type of tag and how to use them will be provided to hunters who receive a big game licence through the draw process or purchase caribou licences through vendors in Labrador.

New Provisions - Dog Field Trials/Training
New provisions will begin in April 2003 that will allow individuals to participate in dog field trials/training in designated areas only during the period April 1 to May 7 and August 15 to August 31. For a complete list of designated areas and their boundary descriptions, please contact your nearest Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods office or the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division. Dog field trials/training is also permitted during the period September 1 to March 31 in all areas throughout the province where running of dogs is authorized.

Important Message About Rabies
It has been confirmed by the Provincial Veternarian that laboratory test results of several collected fox and one domestic animal were infected with the rabies virus on the Northern Peninsula. The general public including hunters and trappers are advised to take all necessary precautions when handling or coming in contact with wildlife or domestic animals that are suspected of having rabies. The public are also asked to report any animal that is suspected of being rabid immediately to your local authorities. For more information, please visit //www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/her&rab/RabiesFront.htm or contact your local Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods office or Inland Fish and Wildlife Division.

Moose (Island)
On the Island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in three Moose Management Areas (MMA) - MMA 29 (+50), MMA 32 (+50) and MMA 45 (+100), while decreases have occurred in 10 MMAs, MMA 4 (-100), MMA 15 (-100), MMA 17 (-150), MMA 18 (-50), MMA 22 (-100), MMA 22A (-50), MMA 23 (-100), MMA 24 (-50), MMA 25 (-50) and MMA 27(-50).

The additional two week season for MMA 3A which occurred in February in prior years has been discontinued. Previously, only residents of Great Harbour Deep could hunt moose in MMA 3A during February. Now that the community has resettled, this two week season will no longer apply.

Moose (Labrador)
No changes have occurred to the overall quota for moose in Labrador. However, all licences available in MMA�s 49, 50, 54 and 85 have been converted to either-sex to reduce the chance of hunters harvesting a female moose on a male-only licence during late winter when male moose shed their antlers.

Caribou (Island)
On the Island, a decrease of 50 licences has occurred in CMA 67. Caribou quotas in all other CMA�s for the Island are unchanged.

CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will be remain closed to caribou hunting in order to collect sufficient data on the general health and status of the herd as a result of the outbreak of brainworm

Boundary changes have occurred in CMA 63, 67 and 69 and were made to improve hunting area map reference points. For complete boundary area descriptions, please refer to Big Game Hunting Area maps that are issued to licence holders or visit our website at //www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/wildlife

Black Bear (Island)
Beginning in the fall 2003, BMA 1 and 45 will be open to black bear hunting. The open season for BMA 1 and 45 for the fall (2003) and spring (2004) black bear hunt is consistent with season dates for all other BMA�s on the Island. Fall seasons for all BMA�s have been extended by one week and will open September 13, 2003 and close November 8, 2003.

                                                                                                                                 
                                                         HIGHLIGHTS - SMALL GAME

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has received considerable input from various interest groups and hunters regarding the opening of the ptarmigan season for the Island. As a result, opening seasons for ptarmigan shooting have been established for the next five years and are as follows: 2003-September 20, 2004-September 18, 2005-September 17, 2006-September 23 and 2007-September 22. The season length for ptarmigan shooting for the next five years will remain the same and will be adjusted annually for Saturday closures.

Trapping seasons for Island furbearer species remain unchanged compared to last year, except lynx which now opens Oct. 20, 2003 and closes Feb. 4, 2004 for the entire Island. However, because lynx are tied almost exclusively to the fluctuating populations of snowshoe hare, the trapping season dates for lynx will be subject to a mid season review.

Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island must be received on or before Oct. 15, 2003. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.

In Labrador, boundaries and season dates for furbearer species in the Southern Zone have occurred as a result of input from trappers and Departmental staff in that region. The southern section has been divided into Labrador West Zone and Labrador East Zone. Season dates are also adjusted in these new zones (see tables below).

For further information, please contact Chris Baldwin, (709) 637-2020 or John Blake, (709) 637-2354.

2003 04 03                                        9:05 a.m.