Moose Population Reduction in National Parks

Parks Canada is seeking the assistance of qualified moose hunters to participate in an ecosystem health program to manage unnaturally high moose populations in Terra Nova and Gros Morne National Parks. The purpose of the program is to allow the forests in these national parks to recover from the damaging effects of moose over browsing.

Ninety (90) licences will be available in Terra Nova National Park and six hundred (600) in Gros Morne National Park. In addition, both parks will make not-for-profit (NFP) licences available to registered NFP organizations.

Licences for both national parks (MMA 28A and MMA 2E) will be issued through the existing provincial draw system. If you are successful in the draw for one of these areas, in addition to your provincial licence and tags, you will receive a separate package containing your Superintendent’s permit from Parks Canada together with an area map and additional information. For the purpose of the licencing draw and pool status, these MMAs will be treated the same as all others and standard provincial licencing fees will apply. For more information on NFP licences contact Parks Canada.

Before applying for a national park licence, please note that there are differences between provincial hunting regulations and what is permissible under this ecosystem management program in a national park. For example:

  • Moose is the only species permitted for hunting. Hunting licences for other species are not valid in national parks.
  • Open fires and tree cutting are prohibited.
  • Failure to comply with regulations may result in charges under the Canada National Parks Act.

Terra Nova National Park (MMA 28A)

What’s new for 2018-2019?

The season will open on September 8th, 2018 and close on January 27th, 2019. There will be one hunting area (28A) with two different zones identified within this area. These zones, as well as descriptions of all closed areas, will be identified in hunter information packages, on our website (www.pc.gc.ca/foresthealth), as well as through in-park signage.

  • Zone 1: Shared Access Area (allows visitor and hunter access simultaneously) – Opens September 8th and includes most areas of the park, excluding fall visitor use areas.
  • Zone 2: Shared Access Area (allows visitor and hunter access simultaneously) – Opens October 22nd and includes all areas previously closed due to fall visitor use.

All zones will have the same end date – the last Sunday in January (January 27th, 2019).

Important Information for Hunters in Terra Nova National Park:

  • There may be construction projects ongoing within Terra Nova National Park during the hunting season. Hunting is NOT permitted within construction zones. Construction zones and work areas throughout the Park may change daily. Please pay close attention to posted signs and call 709-533-2801 or visit our website pc.gc.ca/foresthealth for up-to-date information.
  • A 20-metre no hunting roadside buffer will remain in effect along the Trans-Canada Highway and Route 301 (to the community of Terra Nova). A 50-metre buffer will remain in effect alongside Route 310 (Eastport Peninsula).
  • The use of motorized watercraft on inland waterways, as well as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles within the National Park, is prohibited for any purpose, including carcass retrieval.
  • There are few access roads within the National Park. Public highways, community and service roads, and boat accessible coastline generally provide motorized access only to the margins of the MMA.
  • In the interest of public safety and to allow for visitor use, NOT ALL areas within the MMA are open to hunting. These areas are indicated on the map for MMA 28A and are also marked by signage in the Park. Moose harvesters are responsible for knowing which areas are closed and must refrain from hunting within these areas.
  • Back-country camping is permitted at designated campsites. Moose harvesters are required to register with the Park if they are overnighting in back-country areas. Coordinates of all backcountry campsites will be available in the information package.

Gros Morne National Park (MMA 2E)

What’s new for 2018-19?

  • There is a single MMA for Gros Morne National Park that will be divided into three hunting zones. Each hunting zone has a different opening date. Your MMA 2E licence and tags are valid in all zones:
    • Zone 1 (opens Saturday, September 22 2018). This zone is limited to backcountry areas greater than 2 km from park highways.
    • Zone 2 (opens Saturday, October 13, 2018). This zone includes the majority of the remainder of the park and is accessible by road.
    • Zone 3 (opens Saturday, November 17, 2018). This zone surrounds the Killdevil Camp and areas adjacent to heavily-used park trails.
  • All zones close on the same end date, the last Sunday in January (January 27, 2019).
  • There will be several significant construction projects ongoing within Gros Morne National Park during the hunting season. Hunting is NOT permitted within construction zones. Construction zones and work areas throughout the park may change daily. Please pay close attention to posted signs and call 709-458-2417 or visit our website www.pc.gc.ca/foresthealth for up-to-date information.

Important Information for Hunters in Gros Morne National Park:

  • All-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, including for carcass retrieval, is prohibited.
  • There are few access roads within the national park. Public highways, community roads, and boat-accessible coastline generally provide motorized access only to the margins of the MMA.
  • Snowmobile use for moose harvesting in Gros Morne National Park will be permitted. Certain restrictions apply; some areas of the park are closed to all snowmobiling for example, and snowmobiling can only occur when there is adequate snow cover.
  • Hunters may use motorized/non-motorized boats to access the MMA in accordance with park regulations.
  • Hunter information packages that will be mailed before the start of the season will contain more information such as maps and relevant operational details.

For more information:
Terra Nova National Park 709-533-2801 Gros Morne National Park: 709-458-2417
www.pc.gc.ca/foresthealth

^ Top of Page