Government Announces Details of Big Game Plan and Hunting Regulations

Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, announced details of the 2020-21 hunting and trapping season and the posting of the 2020-21 online Hunting and Trapping Guide.

Minister Byrne also announced the launch of an online public consultation at www.engageNL.ca seeking feedback as part of a review of hunting regulations being undertaken by the department.

Topics covered as part of the consultation include aligning of Island Moose Management Area season starting dates; permitting hunting with crossbows; and permitting the use of another small calibre rifle ammunition.

For the 2020-21 season there is a decrease of 780 moose licences on the Island of Newfoundland – for an overall total of 28,830 licences, including 17,224 Either Sex, 10,681 Male Only; and 475 allocated to Not-for-Profit groups. In Labrador there is a total of 384 Either Sex moose licences with an overall increase of 15 licences compared to last year.

Big game applications for the 2020-21 season are expected to be mailed in early March. The application deadline to be eligible for the moose and caribou draw for is April 3, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. NST.