2005-06 big game licence applications in the mail

Applications for the 2005-06 moose and caribou draw and black bear licences are now being mailed to all qualified big game hunters in the province. Enclosed with the application is the 2005-06 Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne advised hunters to thoroughly read the 2005-06 Hunting and Trapping Guide before completing their 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, 26,060 moose licences and 5,605 caribou licences are available on the island for the 2005-06 hunting season. This represents an overall provincial increase of 40 moose licences and a decrease of 985 caribou licences compared to the 2004-05 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2005-06 hunting season. Hunters are advised that aerial surveys of several island moose management and caribou managements areas are being conducted and analyzed. In light of these surveys, further changes may occur to licence quotas in these areas before the draw is complete.

"Implementing a sustainable wildlife management plan that ensures the conservation and protection of our wildlife resources is a priority for government," said Minister Osborne. "Overall, our moose populations in the province are healthy and our 2005-06 management plan reflects this with an overall increase of 40 licences. However, we are experiencing declines in our caribou populations around the island and, as a result, we have reduced the number of caribou licences available this year by 985. We are monitoring this situation very closely and taking action through a variety of studies and inventories to ensure we continue to apply the appropriate caribou management decisions in a timely manner."

The minister added that government will continue to make sound management decisions to ensure that our natural heritage is protected for the enjoyment of future generations.
Applications for the big game draw and spring black bear licences for the island should be filed online or may be returned to the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division�s Corner Brook or St. John�s offices before the close of business on Friday, April 15. Applications for the fall black bear licences for the island should be filed online or be received by the close of business on Friday, June 17. Applicants should note that at least two weeks are required for the processing of black bear licences.

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 https://www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca. Minister Osborne noted that a considerable number of hunters continue to use government�s online services which has a direct benefit of being able to complete the draw process in a much shorter time period. He 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 a computer.

"I extend best wishes to every hunter and trapper for a safe and enjoyable season," said Minister Osborne. "Responsible hunting is important to the overall success of our fur and game management programs. During your hunting trip this year, I encourage you to always keep conservation in mind."

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612

HIGHLIGHTS
Online Access - Big Game Licence Draw

Resident big game licence draw applicants for moose and island caribou can 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 2005-06 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Wildlife Information Management System
The Inland Fish and Wildlife Division continues to update individual files for all residents on our Wildlife Information Management System. Hunters, trappers and guides are required to provide a photo identification number or driver licence number from the Department of Government Services, Motor Registration Division. For more information on obtaining a photo identification number please visit: //www.gov.nl.ca/gs/gs/mr/dl.stm

Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program
To encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have endorsed Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2005. 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 2004 and June 2005. More details are outlined in this year�s Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Big Game Quota Changes
Moose (Island)
On the island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in 12 Moose Management Areas (MMA) - MMA 1 (+100), MMA 5 (+100), MMA 6 (+50), MMA 11 (+50), MMA 14 (+100), MMA 29 (+50), MMA 30 (+20), MMA 32 (+50), MMA 33 (+50) MMA 35 (+50), MMA 36 (+50) and MMA 45(+100), while decreases have occurred in eight MMAs, MMA 12 (-50), MMA 15 (-100), MMA 20 (-30), MMA 22 (-100), MMA 23 (-200), MMA 27 (-100), MMA 40 (-100) and MMA 42 (-50).

Caribou (island)
On the island, decreases to the licence quota have occurred in five Caribou Management Areas (CMA) - CMA 61 (-110), CMA 62 (-75), CMA 63 (-300), CMA 64 (-450) and CMA 67(-50). Quotas in other caribou management areas remain unchanged, they include: CMA 66 (350), CMA 68 (80), CMA 69 (490), CMA 70 (25), CMA 71 (10), CMA 72 (25), CMA 76 (500), CMA 77 (200), CMA 78 (100) and CMA 79 (300). CMA 65, Avalon Peninsula, will remain closed to hunting during the 2005-06 season.

Big Game Season 2005-06

Coyote Shooting Season 2005-06
Coyote Shooting Licence                         Sept. 10, 2005 - July 8, 2006

Small Game Highlights

• The Inland Fish and Wildlife Division has approved two types of wire for snaring in small game in Modified Snaring Zones on the island (Charlottetown Enclave, Terra Nova, Northwest Grand Lake and Red Indian Lake). These wires include 22 gauge brass wire and six-strand picture cord. These wires can be set without a coil device but must be attached to a solid anchor to ensure that they will effectively release marten as intended. For more information, please contact the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division office in Corner Brook at (709) 637-2382.
   
• In Labrador, small game licence holders will be permitted to harvest porcupine (shooting only) during the open season for small game. The Inland Fish and Wildlife Division requests that hunters submit the skulls or lower jawbones of harvested porcupines to a Department of Natural Resources office. Hunters are asked to attach a note indicating the licence number, date of kill and location of harvest.

Small Game Seasons 2005-06

Highlights - Trapping

• Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the island must be received on or before October 15, 2005. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.
   
• On the island, trappers must submit register lynx taken during the season. Skins must be stamped and all lynx carcass must be given to a Department of Natural Resources office at the time of registration. The deadline for registration of lynx will be the close of business hours on Friday, January 6, 2006.
   
• In Labrador, licensed trappers are asked to voluntarily submit lynx carcasses to the nearest Department of Natural Resources office not later than seven days after the date of capture. The Inland Fish and Wildlife Division will pay $50 for lynx carcass submissions.
   
• Trapping season dates for the Labrador East Fur Zone continue to be under review and a decision will be forthcoming pending the analysis of results from a recent questionnaire sent to area trappers.

Trapping Seasons 2005-06
Newfoundland

Labrador

For further information, please contact:
Chris Baldwin, (709) 637-2020, e-mail chrisbaldwin@gov.nl.ca
John Blake, (709) 637-2354, e-mail johnblake@gov.nl.ca

2005 03 17                     12:40 p.m.