What’s the status of big game and birds across the country? It’s a question we ask wildlife managers in every province and territory ever year to help you identify the best spots to hunt—or, in some cases, the places you want to avoid. Once again, managers have provided invaluable information, complete with updates on important changes to regulations, licensing and seasons. Read, digest, make plans. Then get hunting.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Moose: Moose are plentiful across Newfoundland, though the island’s western region and Northern Peninsula are the traditional hot spots. In all, there are roughly 115,000 animals, with 31,305 licences available. While that’s 1,505 fewer licences than last year, more have been made available for Gros Morne and Terra Nova National Parks to help reduce their burgeoning moose populations. In Labrador, there are 265 licences up for grabs, an increase of 60 compared with last year, and two new moose management areas have been created.
Bears: Central Newfoundland is the go-to region for black bears, especially the area around the Middle Ridge Wilderness Reserve. Bag limits remain at two black bears per licence, and hunters can harvest either two bears in the spring, two in the fall or one in each season. The island’s total bear population is estimated at between 6,000 and 10,000 animals.
Upland birds: Given their wide range, willow ptarmigan are the most commonly hunted upland bird in the province. To a lesser degree, rock ptarmigan are hunted, though in fairly low numbers in isolated areas. The opening date for the 2013 ptarmigan season for the island (except in the Avalon, Swift Current and Burin areas) has been re-established as the third Saturday in September. The forested regions of western and central Newfoundland are the top locations for ruffed and spruce grouse.
Waterfowl: As Newfoundland lies outside of major waterfowl migratory routes, there are no major concentrations of birds. For the best waterfowling, target the coastline, where local birds are most abundant. The majority of hunting occurs opportunistically. Observations from the spring breeding waterfowl surveys showed near-normal conditions in eastern Newfoundland. Ice melt was early, and almost no ice was encountered near Newfoundland and the south coast of Labrador—all factors that spell good bird production this year.
Caribou: While populations of woodland caribou have declined in recent years, 14 management areas on the island remain open to hunting this year. There has been no change in quota from last year, with a total of 740 licences available. Of those, 266 are open to non-residents. The average success rate for the 2011–12 season was 76 per cent. Trends vary between populations, but current estimates place the island-wide caribou population at around 34,000. For more detailed information on these topics, managers suggest consulting the *Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide* (add link: http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/hunting/hunttrap.pdf). Read more….