Applications for hunters eligible to participate in the provincial 2019-20 big game licence draw are now available online, and paper applications will be arriving in the mail in the coming days.
This year’s deadline for receipt of big game licence draw applications is March 29, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. Eligible hunters can apply online at the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources website, or return completed applications by mail. Notifications will be released on May 1, 2019.
The 2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Guide is available on the department website and can be viewed on mobile devices. The guide contains valuable information including facts about hunting safety, fees, regulations and important changes for the coming season. All hunters and trappers are encouraged to review the guide before taking part in hunting activity this year.
Quote
“Our plan for the 2019-20 hunting and trapping season is a reflection of the Provincial Government’s commitment to effective, science-based, and conservation-minded wildlife management that aims to support inclusion and increase participation in hunting and trapping. Good luck to all who enter the big game draw, and remember that as stewards of our wildlife resource, your actions help preserve wildlife populations and ensure the safety of all who enjoy our great outdoors.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
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Learn more
2019-20 Hunting and Trapping Guide
Wildlife Information Management System
Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL
and @FLR_GovNL
Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Season Dates: Big game hunting season for moose, caribou and black bear begins in Labrador and in the western region of the island on the second Saturday of September (September 14, 2019). Hunting season starts on the first Saturday of October (October 5, 2019) in the eastern portion of the island. Bow hunting begins August 31, 2019 for areas opening on September 14, 2019, and on September 21, 2019 for areas opening on October 5, 2019. The season closes December 31, 2019 (with the exception of national parks).
Small game and wolf/coyote season dates and bag limits for the Island and Labrador remain unchanged. Furbearer season dates remain unchanged, with the exception of Fur Zone 11 on the Northern Peninsula, where opening dates for the trapping of furbearers (except lynx and mink) will be to October 20.
Changes in the 2019/20 Big Game Season
Moose: A decrease of 100 moose licences on the Island of Newfoundland, for a total of 29,160 moose licences, including 17,650 Either Sex; 11,035 Male Only; and 475 Not-for-Profit. In Labrador the quota remains unchanged at 369 licences, bringing the total provincial quota to 29,529 licences. The number of licences for the 2019-20 season is set at a sustainable level based on most recent population estimates.
Caribou: An overall caribou quota reduction of 27 licences for the Island of Newfoundland, for a total quota of 575. Low caribou population numbers in Caribou Management Area (CMA) 69 (Northern Peninsula) warrant a closure for the 2019 hunting season as announced in the fall of 2018.
National Parks: Gros Morne National Park will reduce moose quota by 125 licences (including 25 fewer NFP) with a quota of 500 ES. Ninety (90) licences will be available in Terra Nova National Park.
New Initiatives for 2019-20
Re-introduction of caribou on Grey Islands: A maximum of 15 caribou from the St. Anthony herd will be relocated to Grey Islands to re-establish a resident caribou population.
Youth Hunter Program big game licence draw priority pool: Youth applicants (age 16-17) will be entered into the big game draw at a higher priority pool (pool 5). This initiative will foster more youth participation and increase the likelihood of receiving a licence to enable youth hunters to participate in supervised hunting.
Brass snare wire education program: The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources will provide hunters with information regarding the best brass wire brands for retaining snowshoe hare, and will identify the vendors that sell these brands.
Changes to provincial Wildlife Act and Regulations
Announced in October 2017, changes to the provincial Wildlife Act and Regulations support inclusion, improve access, and increase participation in hunting throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Changes included lowering the minimum hunting age, updating the Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability, and earlier application dates for the provincial big game draw.
The minimum age requirement to shoot small game, coyotes and other furbearers has been lowered from 16 to 12 and the minimum age requirement to shoot big game has been lowered from 18 to 16. Youth hunters are only permitted to use a firearm under supervision of a qualified adult.
Changes to the Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability include:
- A designated hunter can remain within 800 metres or line of sight, whichever is greater, of the person with a disability;
- Restructuring the Problem Moose Policy for the 2018-19 hunting season to give priority access to big game for persons with disabilities not able to complete the Firearm Safety-Hunter Education Program; and
- Development of a new policy to provide persons with disabilities priority access to moose put down by conservation officers for humane or public safety reasons.