Environment and Conservation April 11, 2008 2008-09 Hunting and Trapping Guide and Big Game Licence Applications in the Mail The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today that applications for the 2008-09 moose and caribou draw have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in the province. Enclosed with the applications is the 2008-2009 Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide which includes an application for the 2008 spring or fall black bear hunt. The guide contains 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, 27,235 moose licences and 1,235 caribou licences are available on the island for the 2008-09 hunting season. This represents an overall increase of 360 moose licences and a decrease of 1,550 caribou licences compared to the 2007-08 hunting season. In Labrador, 185 moose licences are available for the 2008-09 hunting season. "The Island woodland caribou populations have declined between 40-60 per cent during the past decade," said Minister Johnson. "We recently announced a $15.3 million investment into a five-year strategy to help understand the current decline and the role of predators in this decline. This effort will contribute to a better understanding of the precise mechanisms driving this decline and enable the appropriate intervention where possible and practical." The minister also said that efforts over the coming years will include continued population monitoring, enhanced public and resource-user education, and an evaluation of habitat quality and quantity issues. Furthermore, the action-oriented strategy will attempt to encourage the legal harvesting of predators and quantify its resulting effects on caribou populations. This strategy is consistent with the Provincial Government�s commitment to sustainable development and science-based decision making. Hunters are advised that aerial surveys of several moose management and caribou management areas in the province are currently in progress. In light of these surveys, changes may occur to licence quotas in some areas without notice before the draw takes place. Eligible resident big game hunters may also participate in the provincial moose and island caribou draw for a licence, or pool advancement, by going online and visiting www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca. Last year, more than 30,000 residents used this site to apply for the draw for moose and caribou licences. "Responsible hunting and trapping is important to the overall success of our fur and game management programs," said the minister. "I trust all hunters and trappers will keep conservation in mind during the season, and will also help limit the environmental footprint that is left behind in our wilderness areas. I wish all hunters and trappers a safe and enjoyable season." Copies of the 2008-09 Hunting and Trapping Guide are also available at the Wildlife Division located at 177 Riverside Drive, Corner Brook and all Department of Natural Resources offices. The electronic format is available at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/publications.htm For more information, please call (709) 637-2020, or e-mail chrisbaldwin@gov.nl.ca -30- Media contact: BACKGROUNDER Application Deadlines The deadline for mailing moose/caribou applications or applying online in the 2008 draw is the close of business on Friday, May 9, 2008. Spring black bear applications and payments must also be submitted or completed online by Friday May 9, 2008. Fall black bear applications must be submitted or completed online by the close of business on Friday, June 27, 2008. Note that black bear applications/payments must be mailed separately from moose/caribou applications. Hunting on a Sunday Beginning November 2, 2008, hunting on a Sunday is permitted up to and including the last Sunday in April 2009 throughout all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador provided that a person is in possession of a valid licence and that the season for the game being hunted is open. The hunting of game on a Sunday is permitted throughout all inland and coastal areas of Newfoundland and Labrador during this period. This is consistent with the 2007-08 Sunday hunting provisions. Small Game Snaring (Island) Beginning in the 2008-09 hunting and trapping season, stainless steel wire will no longer be permitted for small game snaring on the Island. Instead, snarers shall only use approved snare wire, which includes 22 gauge brass or 6-strand picture cord, for snaring on the island, except in areas closed to snaring. The changes will assist with ongoing efforts to mitigate the accidental capture of the threatened Newfoundland marten and also help reduce accidental capture of other non-target species. Caribou Health Monitoring The Wildlife Division is seeking the help of caribou hunters to assess the condition of woodland caribou on the Island. Samples of caribou taken during the 2008 hunt will be used to determine the body conditions of caribou. More information on how to participate are outlined in the 2008- 09 Hunting and Trapping Guide. Furbearer Trapping (Island) Beginning in 2008, holders of a general trappers licence will be permitted to shoot fox, lynx and coyote on the island of Newfoundland and during the open season for furbearers using a .22 centre rifle not greater than .225 or a shotgun using shot size #2 or larger, excluding slugs. Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program To recognize and encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have endorsed the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2008. 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 2007 and June 2008. More details are outlined in this year�s Hunting and Trapping Guide. Big Game Highlights Moose (Island) On the island, increases to licence quotas have occurred in Moose Management Area (MMA) 4 (+50), MMA 13 (+50), MMA 14 (+50), MMA 18 (+100), MMA 33 (+50), MMA 35 (+50), MMA 36 (+100) and MMA 38 (+10) while a decrease has occurred in, MMA 34 (-50). Caribou (Island) On the island, decreases to the licence quotas have occurred in Caribou Management Areas (CMA) 61 (-170), CMA 62 (-170) CMA 63 (-300) now closed, CMA 64 (-125) and CMA 66 (-165) CMA 67(-120), CMA 69 (-200) CMA 79 (-75), CMA 78 (-30) and CMA 79 (-100). Caribou in CMA 63, Grey River, have declined by as much as 90 % since the last survey conducted in 1997 and has resulted in a closure of that area. A boundary change has occurred that affects CMA 61, 62 and 63. The change is required to protect Grey River caribou from being harvested during fall distribution. Hunters are advised to consult the Big Game Hunting Area Maps published for these areas. Black Bear (Island) Beginning in the spring of 2008, black bear hunting is permitted BMA 2A and 5A. Holders of a black bear licence for BMA 2 and 5 are permitted to hunt in BMA 2A and 5A respectively during the open season where the licence is valid. Caribou (Labrador) Fixed dates apply to a number of caribou management areas and are subject to immediate closure if it is confirmed by the Department that Threatened Woodland Caribou populations are occupying the zone(s). Big Game Seasons 2008-09
Coyote Shooting Season 2008-09
Small Game Seasons 2008-09
Trapping Highlights Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the island must be received on or before October 15, 2008. Failure to renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline. The lynx season on the southern portion of the island, Zone B, remains closed due to low populations. Trappers are advised that Lynx Zone A has been adjusted and now includes a portion of the southwest corner of the island of Newfoundland. On the Island, trappers must 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 9, 2009. In Labrador, licenced 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 Wildlife Division will pay $50 for lynx carcass submissions. Trapping Seasons 2008-09 Newfoundland
Labrador
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