Over 5,000 more moose licenses and a one-week extension to the hunting season highlight the province’s 2011 big game hunting season.
The 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide and big game applications have been mailed to all qualified resident big game hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The additional licenses and extended season apply to the island portion of the province in established hunting zones. This extension is in addition to the three-week extension announced in 2010.
Of the 5,020 additional licenses, 4,610 are either sex licenses in target management areas that border the Trans Canada Highway and major trunk roads of the island.
The island moose hunting season opens in Areas 1-27, 37, 39 and 45 Sept. 10-Jan. 8, 2012; in areas 28-36, 38, 44 and 57 (including the Burin Peninsula) the season is Oct. 1-Jan. 29, 2012.
In the two Nationals Parks the season runs Oct. 11-Jan. 8, 2012.
Environment and Conservation Minister Ross Wiseman explained “We have increased the number of licenses in the province this year by more than 5,000, with the majority focused along the Trans Canada Highway and major trunk roads, in an attempt to counteract the number of moose-vehicle incidents that are occurring.
“While we have steadily increased the number of moose licenses for the past six years, this is the largest increase to date, as we work toward trying to address the moose-vehicle accident rate in the province.”
On the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, the overall quota for moose in 2011-12 is 33,440. Included in this total are 50 new non-profit moose licenses, for a total of 250 licenses available to registered non-profit and charitable organizations.
As a result of a new moose management harvest regime established by Parks Canada, involving both the Gros Morne National Park and Terra Nova National Park, an additional 530 licenses are available in the province’s resident big game draw program.
As well, Charlottetown Enclave, located adjacent to and within Terra Nova National Park, is now included within the current moose management area 28.
There are no changes to the seasons or quota for island caribou, which will remain the same as 2010-11 at 740 licenses.
In Labrador, there is an increase of 20 licenses in the moose quota, for a total of 205 licenses. Hunters are advised to review moose management area boundaries changes carefully before applying for a license.
Eligible big game hunters may participate in the province’s moose and island’s caribou draw for a license or pool advancement by submitting an application in the mail or by going online and visiting ‘www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca’.
The deadline for receipt of moose and caribou applications is the close of business Friday, May 6, while the deadline for spring bear applications is Friday, Apr. 29, and fall bear applications is June 24.
Black bear applications can be found within the Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Additional copies of the 2011-12 Hunting and Trapping Guide are available by contacting a wildlife division office or online at ‘www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/publications.htm’.
The public is advised the Wildlife Division office, formerly located at Building 810 in Pleasantville, St. John’s , has been moved to the Provincial Agriculture Building on Brookfield Road.
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