Hunting & Trapping

New For 2016-17
HUNTING AND TRAPPING GUIDE 2016-17
Moose
• The number of moose licences has decreased overall on the Island portion of the province by 475 with reductions occurring in
eight MMAs while increases have occurred in two MMAs. In Labrador there has been an overall increase of 49 moose licences
spread over 11 MMAs. More details are available on pages 24 and 27.
Black Bear
• A change has been made to the Island spring black bear season. Beginning in the spring of 2017, fixed opening and closing
dates of May 1st and July 15th respectively have been established. The spring season for the Island in 2016 will remain May
7th – July 2nd, while the spring season in Labrador will continue to run April 1st – July 13th.
Bowhunting
• On the Island of Newfoundland, preseason bow hunting begins August 27th in moose/black bear areas opening on September
10th and begins September 17th in areas opening October 1st. Preseason bow hunting dates do not apply to the Gros
Morne or Terra Nova National Park Moose Management Areas.
Hunting and Trapping Guide
• Beginning in 2017-18, the Hunting and Trapping Guide will primarily be available as an online document and by using other
web based applications. For more information about how to receive printed versions of the Guide, please contact the Wildlife
Division at 637-2025 or to request by mail please write P.O. Box 2007, Corner Brook, NL, A2H 7S1 .
Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability
• Amendments to Wild Life Regulations involving the Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability (PHAD) come into force
beginning April 1, 2016. The program will expand from involving people who are legally blind, and/or people with permanent
mobility disabilities, to include individuals with other permanent disabilities or permanent medical conditions which limit their
capacity to participate in hunting and angling. In addition to medical doctors and optometrists being able to confirm disability
on an application being submitted to the Wildlife Division, the authority now also extends to nurse practitioners. See page 20
for more information on the PHAD and conditions around big game licencing for moose/caribou.
Akami-uapishku - KakKasuak - Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve (includes portions of MMAs 57, 87, and 88)
• Hunters and trappers should be aware that the establishment of Akami-uapishku - KakKasuak - Mealy Mountains National
Park Reserve in southern Labrador will affect harvesting activities. Depending on when the area is gazetted, hunting within
the boundaries of the Park could be impacted in the upcoming 2016 hunting season. The land transfer agreement signed
July 31, 2015 by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Parks Canada contains terms and conditions for the
transfer of provincial crown land to the Government of Canada for the purposes of establishing the national park reserve.
Certain activities such as big game (moose, caribou, and bear) hunting will not be permitted inside the national park reserve.
Other traditional activities and land use by traditional land users, as defined in the agreement, may be permitted. At time of
publication, it was not yet known when the land transfer will be completed and when the area will be brought under the
Canada National Parks Act and associated regulations. For more information, please consult the Parks Canada website
(parkscanada.gc.ca) or contact Parks Canada Western Newfoundland and Labrador Field Unit (709) 458-2417 or email:
info@pc.gc.ca
Congratulations to the 2015 Apply Online and Win Big Game Licence Draw Applicants
Stephen Mercer, Chamberlains Reginald Morgan, St. John’s Marie Pynn, St. John’s
Each of these three winners were awarded prizes that included a GPS, back pack, hunting knife, survival
kit and hunter orange apparel.
See page 30 for more details on the 2016 Apply Online and Win.
T’Railway Provincial Park
The T’Railway Provincial Park is designated as a public roadway and while transport of firearms is permitted during the
hunting and trapping season, the discharge from or across the T’Railway is prohibited. For more information contact Parks
and Natural Areas 637-2040, or trailway@gov.nl.ca.
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Be Safe and Be Seen: Wear Blaze Orange While Hunting!