NLIS
September 11, 2003
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
Hunting seasons officially
open
Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation, wishes to advise the public that the general opening of the
hunting season for big game in many parts of Newfoundland and Labrador
begins this weekend.
"I am very pleased that for the
2003-2004 hunt, we have organized a new tagging system for moose and
caribou," said Minister Bettney. "The tag style resembles a ski
pass which is attached to each quarter and jawbone of a big game animal. We
expect that the tag will be well received by hunters but our officials will
use this year to determine how well this system works and whether or not it
will be continued in future years."
Hunters should note that information pertaining to this year�s seasons and
bag limits can be found in the 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide
available at various government offices including the Department of Forest
Resources and Agrifoods and Inland Fish and Wildlife Division offices. The
guide is also available on the Newfoundland and Labrador Government web site
www.gov.nl.ca/tcr/wildlife/publications/wildlifeguide.pdf
.
"Hunters and trappers play an important part in helping to manage our
province�s wildlife resources and these activities have been a part of our
culture and heritage for hundreds of years," said Minister Bettney.
"Together we share responsibility for making sure we sustain wildlife
resources for the benefit of future generations. I wish all hunters and
trappers a safe and enjoyable season."
For further information:
John Blake, Manager, Conservation Services,
Wildlife Division, (709) 637-2354 or johnblake@mail.gov.nf.ca
Chris Baldwin, Training Specialist,
Wildlife Division, (709) 637-2020 or chrisbaldwin@mail.gov.nf.ca
Media contact: Melony O�Neill,
Communications, (709) 729-0928
BACKGROUNDER
Highlights - Big Game
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 (-300), MMA 24
(-50), MMA 25 (-50) and MMA 27(-50).
Moose (Labrador)
No changes have occurred to the overall quota for moose in Labrador.
However, all licences available in MMAs 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, decreases to licence quotas have occurred in CMA 64 (-500)
and CMA 67 (-50). Caribou quotas in all other CMAs for the island are
unchanged. CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will 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 seasons 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.
BIG GAME SEASONS 2003-04
Moose - Newfoundland
Areas 1 to 27, 37, 39 to 43 and
45 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Dec. 13, 2003 |
Areas 28 to 36, 38, 44 and
47 |
Oct. 4, 2003 to Jan. 3, 2004 |
Moose - Labrador
Areas 48, 51 to 53, 57 and
58 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Jan. 3, 2004 |
Areas 49, 50, 53A to 56 and
85 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Mar. 20, 2004 |
Areas 59 and
60 |
Sept. 6, 2003 to Mar. 20, 2004 |
Caribou - Newfoundland
Areas 61 to 64, 66 to 69, 76 to
79 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Dec. 13, 2003 |
Area
70 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Sept. 27, 2003 |
Area 71 |
Sept. 6, 2003 to Nov. 8, 2003 |
Area 72 |
Sept. 13, 2003 to Oct. 11, 2002 |
Caribou - Labrador
Torngat
Mountains |
Aug. 10, 2003 to April 30, 2004 |
George
River |
Aug. 10, 2003 to April 30, 2004 |
Other
zones |
To be announced |
Black Bear - Newfoundland
Spring (2003) - All open
areas |
May 10, 2003 to July 12, 2003 |
Fall (2003) - All open areas |
Sept.13, 2003 to Nov. 8, 2003 |
Spring (2004) - All open areas |
May 8, 2004 to July 10, 2004 |
Black Bear - Labrador
Spring (2003) All open
areas |
April 1, 2003 to July13, 2003 |
Fall (2003 Torngat Mountains and George
River |
Aug 10, 2003 to Nov. 30, 2003 |
Fall (2003) Labrador
South |
Sept. 1, 2003 to Nov. 30, 2003 |
Spring (2004) All open
areas |
April 1, 2004 to July 13, 2004 |
HIGHLIGHTS - SMALL GAME
The Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation wishes to advise small game hunters that the date published in
the 2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide for the closure of ptarmigan
shooting for Remainder of Island is incorrect. The correct closing
date for ptarmigan shooting for the Remainder of Island is December 13,
2003.
SMALL GAME SEASONS 2003-04
Ptarmigan
Shooting
Snaring
Avalon/Swift Current |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Burin |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
CLOSED |
The Topsails |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Nov. 22, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Remainder of Island |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Dec.13, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
Grouse
Shooting
Snaring
Island |
Sept. 20, 2003 to Dec. 27, 2004 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
Snowshoe Hare
Shooting
Snaring
Great Island |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Dec. 27, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Dec. 27, 2003 |
Little Bay Islands |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Nov. 1, 2003 |
Bell Island |
CLOSED |
CLOSED |
Remainder of island |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Oct. 11, 2003 to Feb. 28, 2004 |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
Arctic
Hare
Shooting
Snaring
Island |
CLOSED |
CLOSED |
Labrador |
Oct. 1, 2003 to April 20, 2004 |
Oct. 1, 2003 to Mar. 31, 2004 |
HIGHLIGHTS - TRAPPING
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).
The Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation wishes to advise beaver trappers that the date published in the
2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Guide for the closure of beaver trapping
season for the Labrador East Zone is incorrect. The correct closing
date for beaver trapping in the Labrador East Zone is May 31, 2004.
TRAPPING SEASONS 2003-04
Newfoundland
SPECIES |
SEASON DATE |
Beaver |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar
15, 2004 |
Ermine |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar
15, 2004 |
Fox-colored |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Fox - White |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Coyote |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Lynx |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb 1,
2004 |
Marten |
No Open Season |
Mink |
Nov 1, 2003 - Feb 28,
2004 |
Muskrat |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar
15, 2004 |
Otter |
Oct 20, 2003 - Mar15,
2004 |
Squirrel |
Oct 20, 2003 - Feb
28, 2004 |
Wolf |
No Open Season |
Fisher |
No Open Season |
Wolverine |
No Open Season |
Labrador
SPECIES |
LABRADOR NORTH |
LABRADOR EAST |
LABRADOR WEST |
Beaver |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15/2003 - May 31/2004 |
Ermine |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Fox-colored |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Fox - White |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Coyote |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Lynx |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Marten |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Mink |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Muskrat |
Oct. 5, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - May 31, 2004 |
Otter |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20, 2004 |
Squirrel |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar. 31,
2004 |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Mar 20,
2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Mar. 20, 2004 |
Wolf |
Oct. 15, 2003 - Apr. 30,
2004 |
Oct. 25/2003 - Apr.
30/2004 |
Nov. 1, 2003 - Apr. 30/2004 |
Fisher |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
Wolverine |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
No Open Season |
2003 09 11
3:10 p.m.
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