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Youth Hunting and Trapping Licences

  • Beginning at age 12 a youth may hold a licence to shoot small game, fur-bearing animals, and coyotes. Youth may hold a licence to shoot big game beginning at 16.
  • The regulations require youth to have the consent of a parent or person who has custody of the youth to purchase a licence.
  • Where required, a youth must also be accompanied by a Designated Adult while hunting, taking or killing animals by shooting.

Small Game/Coyotes and Waterfowl Shooting Licences

Youth at age 12 and under 16 may be issued a licence to shoot small game and coyotes and wild birds permitted to be harvested under the authority of a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit during an open season. Requirements include:

  • A licence to shoot small game or coyotes shall not be issued to a youth age 12 and under 16 without written consent of a parent or person who has custody of the youth and must be presented to local vendor outlets at the time of purchase.
  • The consent must be carried by the youth or the designated adult while using firearms to hunt small game or coyotes, or while hunting under the authority of a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit.
  • Youth must be accompanied by a Designated Adult when operating a shooting licence.
  • A Designated Adult who is not the parent or person who has custody of the youth must be designated in writing.
  • Youth must complete required hunter and firearms training courses and trapper education courses.
  • Youth and the Designated Adult must also possess an Outdoor Identification Card or equivalent document (e.g. Hunter Certification Card from another jurisdiction).
  • Small Game Licences for snaring only are available to youth under 16 years of age shall be marked “not valid for shooting”.

Big Game Licences

Youth at age 16 and under 18 may obtain a licence to shoot big game during an open season. Requirements include:

  • Big game licence applications processed by the Wildlife Division involve conditions to provide a Consent Form before a licence can be issued to a Youth. Therefore, possession of the licence itself, once issued, acts as implied consent.
  • Youth must carry written Consent Form signed by a parent or person who has custody of the youth for big game licences issued through a vendor (e.g. Labrador Black Bear or non-resident big game licence sold by an outfitter).
  • Youth must be accompanied by a Designated Adult.
  • A Designated Adult who is not the parent or person who has custody of the youth must be designated in writing.
  • Youth must complete required hunter and firearms training courses.
  • Big Game Licence Applications for Moose/Caribou issued through the draw process will be mailed automatically to a youth who turns age 16 before August 31 and once they complete required hunter and firearm training courses.
  • Licence applications for big game black bear on the Island may be obtained up until the close of the hunting season.
  • A written consent of parent or person who has custody of the youth age 16 and under 18 must be provided when submitting a big game licence application by mail. Online applications cannot be processed unless a Consent Form is on file with the Wildlife Division. Consent Forms may be faxed to (709)637-2099 or emailed to wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca
  • Youth and the Designated Adult must also possess an Outdoor Identification Card or equivalent document (e.g. Hunter Certification Card from another jurisdiction).

General Trapper Licence

  • A licence to shoot fur bearing animals shall not be issued to a youth age 12 and under 16 without written consent of a parent or person who has custody of the youth. Youth under age 12 and youth that are not permitted to use a firearm for the purposes of dispatching fur bearing animals are not required to obtain consent to purchase a General Trapper Licence.
  • A written consent of parent or person who has custody of the youth age 12 and under 16 must be provided when submitting a General Trapper Licence application by mail. Online applications cannot be processed unless a Consent Form is on file with the Wildlife Division. Consent Forms may be faxed to (709)637-2099 or emailed to wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca
  • General trapper licence applications processed by the Wildlife Division involve conditions to provide the Consent Form before a licence can be issued to a Youth. Therefore, possession of the General Trapper Licence itself, once issued, acts as implied consent.
  • General Trapper Licence Applications may be processed up until the close of the trapping seasons.
  • Youth and the Designated Adult must also possess an Outdoor Identification Card or equivalent document (e.g. Hunter Certification Card from another jurisdiction).

What has not changed?

  • Youth age 16 and under 18 may continue to be issued a licence to shoot small game, coyote, fur bearing animals and wild birds permitted to be harvested under the authority of a Migratory Game Bird Permit during the open season without consent to purchase a licence.
  • Youth age 16 and under 18 may obtain their own Federal Minor’s Firearm Possession Licence to use firearms.
  • A youth at 16 and 17 who holds a valid small game, coyote, trapping licence or Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit noted in this category and who does not possess a Minor’s Firearms Possession Licence is required to be accompanied and supervised by a fully licenced adult.

Designated Adult

A Designated Adult must meet the following criteria:

  • is a person who is over the age of 18;
  • is not prohibited from carrying, transporting, possessing or using a firearm or from being a designated adult; and
  • is eligible for the same type of licence under which the youth is hunting, taking or killing an animal by shooting.

While accompanying the youth, a Designated Adult shall:

  • remain at arm’s length of the youth and be able to take control of the firearm if necessary;
  • not accompany and supervise more than two youths at one time;
  • carry evidence of his or her eligibility to hold the same type of licence as the youth (e.g. possess an Outdoor Identification Card or similar document); and
  • if not the parent or person who has custody of the youth, provide a designation in writing signed by a parent or person who has custody of the youth (carried by the youth or Designated Adult).

Injured Animals

  • A Designated Adult may shoot or dispatch an animal that has been injured by a youth for the purposes of assisting the youth and shall keep the youth in sight at all times.
  • A Designated Adult is not required to keep the youth in sight at all times where the Designated Adult is pursuing an animal that has been injured by the youth.
  • With respect to Migratory Game Birds, the Designated Adult would also be required to hold a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit in addition to the Outdoor Identification Card or similar document.

Youth Consent/ Designated Adult Forms

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