April 25, 2013
Hunting and Trapping Guide and Applications Now Available
The 2013-14 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game licence applications
are now available online at
www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/hunting/hunting_guide_2013.pdf
,
and print copies have been mailed to all qualified resident hunters who are
eligible for this year’s big game licence draw. Eligible hunters will be
able to file an application or request priority pool advancement in this
year’s big game moose or caribou licence draw online, as well as process
spring and fall black bear licence applications and payments.
“Hunters and trappers play an important role in helping to manage and conserve our wildlife resources in the province,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “Participation in responsible hunting and trapping contributes significantly to the overall success of our wildlife programs, and I wish all those involved a safe and enjoyable hunting and trapping season.”
Although there are increases in certain areas, the overall moose quota for the 2013-14 season on the Island of Newfoundland is 31,305 (18,035 either-sex and 13,270 male-only or calf) has decreased by 1,505 licences compared to the 2012-13 season. The overall quota for moose also includes 250 licences that are available to registered not-for-profit and charitable organizations. Caribou hunting seasons and quotas for the Island remain unchanged compared to the 2012-13 season.
In Labrador, the overall quota for moose has been increased by 60 licences, for a total of 265 licences for the 2013-14 hunting season. This is enabled partially by the establishment of two new moose management areas (MMA) within Labrador to increase access to moose resources in areas where populations are growing. The new MMAs are known as Straits (MMA 93) and Atikonak (MMA 94) and have established quotas of five and 10 licences respectively.
Eligible resident big game hunters can participate in the provincial moose and caribou (Island) draw for a licence or pool advancement by returning an application by mail or by visiting www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca. The deadline for receipt of moose and caribou applications is the close of business on May 24, 2013. Bear applications are also available online by visiting www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/forms/wildlife/index.html.
Spring black bear hunters are also advised that, in order to receive a licence in advance of the May 4, 2013, opening date, applications and payments must be received in advance of the season opening.
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Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Highlights of the 2013-14 Hunting and Trapping Guide
Application Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of moose/caribou applications (by mail or online)
for the 2013 big game licence draw is the close of business on Friday May
24, 2013. If you wish to ensure receipt of a black bear licence prior to the
opening of the Island spring season on May 4, 2013, applications and
payments must be received by the close of business on Friday, April 26,
2013. If you wish to ensure receipt of a black bear licence prior to the
opening of the Island fall season on September 14, 2013, applications and
payments must be received by the close of business on Friday, June 28, 2013.
Additionally, applications for black bear a licence will be available
throughout both spring and fall seasons. Please note that black bear
applications/payments must be mailed separately from moose/caribou
applications.
Not-for-Profit/Charitable Moose Licence Applications
The deadline for registered not-for-profit and charitable moose licence
applications is the close of business on Friday, May 24, 2013. Applications
and additional information about this program is available from the Wildlife
Division or
www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/permits/nfpapplication.pdf.
Hunting on a Sunday
For 2013-14, hunting on a Sunday is permitted between October 6, 2013 and
April 30, 2014, 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.
Outreach Programs
To recognize and encourage participation among young hunters and anglers in
Atlantic Canada, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and New
Brunswick have endorsed the Youth Hunting/Fishing Exchange Program for 2013.
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 Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course or take
part in a Wildlife Division-sanctioned event between July 2012 and June
2013.
The Wildlife Division supports a variety of other initiatives such as Youth Hunter Skills Events and the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program and involves partnering other organizations for delivery. For more information about these and other conservation education programs, please contact the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2006 or visit www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/education/index.html.
Cooperating Hunter Incentive Program Discontinued
A program previously administered by the Department of Environment and
Conservation whereby successful big game hunters received an embroidered
crest for the return of jawbones has been discontinued. Successful hunters
will no longer receive a big game moose/caribou or black bear crest.
However, to support wildlife management objectives, regulations still
require successful big game hunters submit the lower jawbone of
moose/caribou or bear skull (or jawbone) and licence return within seven
days after making a kill or, if unsuccessful, within seven days after the
close of the season.
Coyote Shooting Licence
The season for holders of a coyote shooting licence begins on September 14,
2013, and closes on July 5, 2014. Holders of this licence type are permitted
to use centre-fire rifles up to and including a .225 calibre or a shotgun
using shot size #2 or larger (slugs are not permitted).
Small Game
Shooting season dates for all ptarmigan zones on the Island of Newfoundland
will begin on the third Saturday of September.
Ptarmigan Seasons (Island of Newfoundland)
| Ptarmigan Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Avalon/Swift Current | September 21 to November 10, 2013 | October 12, 2013 to February 23, 2014 |
| Burin | September 21 to November 10, 2013 | CLOSED |
| The Topsails | September 21 to November 17, 2013 | October 12, 2013 to February 23, 2014 |
| Bell Island | September 21 to November 10, 2013 | CLOSED |
| Remainder of Island | September 21 to December 1, 2013 | October 12, 2013 to February 23, 2014 |
| Labrador | October 1, 2013 to April 20, 2014 | October 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014 |
| Grouse Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Island | September 21 to December 29, 2013 | October 12, 2013 to February 23, 2014 |
| Bell Island | September 21 to December 29, 2013 | CLOSED |
| Labrador | October 1, 2013 to April 20, 2014 | October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 |
| Snowshoe Hare Seasons | Shooting | Snaring |
| Great Island | October 12 to December 29, 2013 | October 12 to December 29, 2013 |
| Little Bay Islands | October 12 to November 3, 2013 | October 12 to November 3, 2013 |
| Bell Island | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Remainder of Island | October 12, 2013 to February 23, 2014 | October 12, 2013 to February 23, 2014 |
| Labrador | October 1, 2013 to April 20, 2014 | October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 |
| Arctic Hare Season | Shooting | Snaring |
| Island | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Labrador | October 1, 2013 to April 20, 2014 | October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 |
| Porcupine | Shooting | |
| Labrador Only | October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 | N/A |
Moose (Island)
On the Island, increases have been made to licence quotas in provincial
Moose Management Areas (MMAs) 12 (50), 15 (50), 37 (50), 28 (100), 28A (15),
and 38 (40) while decreases have in MMAs 1 (-345), 2 (-250), 4 (-100), 5
(-300), 8 (-100), 11 (-100), 13 (-50), 20 (-50), 40 (-350), 45 (-300) and 47
(-20). Gros Morne National Park, MMA 2E, has an increase of 100 licences and
Terra Nova National Park, MMA 28A, has increased by 20 licences. 250
licences are available to charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Non-resident moose allocations per management area were not available at the time of printing the Hunting and Trapping Guide and will be posted on our website as information becomes available.
| Moose Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Area 1 to 2B, 3 to 27, 37, 39 to 43 and 45 | September 14 to December 29, 2013 |
| Area 28, 29 to 36, 38, 44 and 47 | October 5, 2013 to January 26, 2014 |
| Gros Morne National Park Area 2E Zone 1 | September 14, 2013 to February 2, 2014 |
| Gros Morne National Park Area 2E Zone 2 | October 15, 2013 to February 2, 2014 |
| Gros Morne National Park Area 2E Zone 3 | November 2, 2013 to February 2, 2014 |
| Terra Nova National Park Area 28A | October 15, 2013 to January 12, 2014 |
Caribou (Island of Newfoundland)
On the Island of Newfoundland, licence quotas for caribou will remain the
same as the 2012 hunting season at 740 animals consisting of 390 either-sex
and 350 male-only licences.
Non-resident caribou allocations per management area were not available at the time of printing the Hunting and Trapping Guide and will be posted on our website as information becomes available.
An update on the province’s Newfoundland Caribou Strategy is contained in the 2013-14 Hunting and Trapping Guide and outlines progress to date and an understanding of the current health and status of caribou populations on the Island.
| Caribou Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Area 61, 62, 64, 66 to 69 and 76 to 79 | September 14 to December 8, 2013 |
| Area 70 | September 21to October 6, 2013 |
| Area 71 | September 7 to November 3, 2013 |
| Area 72 | September 4 to October 13, 2013 |
Moose (Labrador)
In Labrador, increases have been made to licence quotas in Moose Management
Areas (MMAs) 51 (5), 52 (10), 53 (10), 54 (10), 57 (5), 58 (5), and 84 (5).
Also two new MMAs were added Straits MMA 93, and Atikonak MMA 94 with quotas
of 5 and 10 respectively. The total quota is 265 accounting for an increase
of 65 licences. All licences are either-sex licences.
Moose licences issued to the Nunatsiavut Government are not issued through the big game licence draw. The include areas MMA 88, 89, 91 & 92. For more information, please contact the Nunatsivut Government Department of Lands and Natural Resources at (709)896-8582 or visit their website at www.nunatsiavut.com
| Moose Seasons – Labrador | |
| All Areas | September 14, 2013 to March 9, 2014 |
Black Bear (Island of Newfoundland)
A new Black Bear Management Area (BMA) has been created on the Burin
Peninsula Foot BMA 38.
The hunting restrictions around the Glovertown Landfill site have been lifted.
| Black Bear Seasons (Island of Newfoundland) | |
| Spring 2013 (All Open Areas) | May 4 to July 6, 2013 |
| Fall 2013 (All Open Areas) | September 14 to November 3, 2013 |
| Spring 2014 (All Open Areas) | May 3 to July 5, 2014 |
| Black Bear Seasons – Labrador | |
| Spring 2013 (All Open Areas) | April 1 to July 13, 2013 |
| Fall 2013 (George River Zone) | August 10 to November 30, 2013 |
| Fall 2013 (Labrador South Zone) | September 1 November 30, 2013 |
| Spring 2013 (All Open Areas) | April 1 to July 13, 2014 |
Caribou (Labrador)
The previously announced closure to hunting George River caribou remains in
effect. See
www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2013/env/0128n08.htm
Furbearer Trapping
Renewal applications for beaver trapline licences on the Island of
Newfoundland must be received on or before October 15, 2013. Failure to
renew beaver trapline licences may result in forfeiture of the trapline.
The open area boundary for lynx on the Island of Newfoundland has been adjusted to take in all areas except the Avalon and Burin Regions (Fur Zones1-3).
Trappers must surrender all lynx (pelt and carcass) trapped accidentally to a Department of Natural Resources office within seven days of the time of capture. Trappers will be paid $25 for lynx taken this way.
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 Wildlife Division will pay $50 to Labrador trappers for lynx carcass submissions.
New traps have been added to the list of those certified for harvest and control of furbearers. For more information please visit www.fur.ca/TRS_index.php
Furbearer Seasons (Island of Newfoundland)
| Species | Season Dates |
| Beaver | October 20, 2013 - March 15, 2014 |
| Muskrat | October 20, 2013 - March 15, 2014 |
| Otter | October 20, 2013 - March 15, 2014 |
| Mink | November 1, 2013 - February 28, 2014 |
| Coyote | October 20, 2013 - February 1, 2014 |
| Fox, Coloured | October 20, 2013 - February 1, 2014 |
| Fox, White | October 20, 2013 - February 1, 2014 |
| Lynx | December 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013 (Zone A Only) |
| Ermine (Weasel) | October 20, 2013 - February 28, 2014 |
| Squirrel | October 20, 2013 - February 28, 2014 |
Furbearer Seasons (Labrador)
| Species | Labrador North | Labrador South |
| Beaver | October 15, 2013 - May 31, 2014 | October 15, 2013 - May 31, 2014 |
| Muskrat | October 5, 2013 - May 31, 2014 | October 15, 2013 - May 31, 2014 |
| Otter | October 15, 2013 - March 31, 2014 | October 15, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Mink | November 1, 2013 - March 1, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Coyote | October 15, 2013 - March 31, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Fox, Coloured | October 15, 2013 - March 31, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Fox, White | October 15, 2013 - May 31, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Lynx | October 15, 2013 - March 31, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Wolf | October 15, 2013 - April 30, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - April 30, 2014 |
| Ermine (Weasel) | October 15, 2013 - March 31, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Squirrel | October 15, 2013 - March 1, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Marten | October 15, 2013 - March 31, 2014 | November 1, 2013 - March 20, 2014 |
| Fisher | No Open Season | No Open Season |
| Wolverine | No Open Season | No Open Season |
2013 04 25 1:30 p.m.