For 2021-2022 hunting season, there are 28,324 moose licences available on the Island of Newfoundland, an overall increase of 369 licences. This includes 17,890 either-sex licences, 9,959 male licences, and 475 licences allocated to not-for-profit groups. Regional moose population trends on the Island this year have generally resulted in fewer allocations for Moose Management Areas (MMAs) in Eastern Newfoundland, and increased allocations for MMAs in Western Newfoundland. Decreases have occurred in MMA 28(-84), 31 (-100), 34 (-50), 35 (-25), 41(-90), 44 (- 25) while increases have occurred in MMA 1 (+100), 2 (+23), 3 (+18), 5 (+100), 6 (+100), 7 (+100), 37 (+2), 40 (+200), 45 (+100). In Labrador there is no change compared to last year, with 384 either-sex moose licences available (39 licences are allocated to the Nunatsiavut Government).
The number of caribou licences for the island in 2021-2022 remains the same at 575, including 380 either-sex licences and 195 male licences.
All moose and caribou quotas were determined using the best available scientific information obtained by wildlife officials during field surveys and research studies.
Advisory
A number of aerial surveys are being planned and conducted during the winter and spring of 2021 in several moose and caribou management areas on the Island of Newfoundland. Pending the results of this work, quotas for some management areas may change before the 2021-2022 big game licence draw takes place.
Priority Pool for Youth – Update
Changes to the big game licence priority pool system occurred in 2019, allowing increased opportunities for youth entering the draw for the first time. Youth applicants who turn 16 by August 31 are eligible to apply for a moose/caribou licence, and are automatically placed in Pool 5. A co-applicant interested entering the draw with a youth applicant may also apply, and shall be entered as Pool 5 Party regardless of the co-applicant’s pool standing. If a youth and co-applicant are successful in the 2021-2022 draw their priority status will return to Pool 8 in the following year (2022-2023). If a licence is not drawn, only the youth would advance to Pool 4 in the following year and the co-applicant would advance from their current priority pool status. The opportunity to enter the draw with a youth applicant in the same pool only applies while the youth is 16 and 17 years of age. Persons 18 years of age who are new applicants in the big game licence draw start off in Pool 8.
Beginning the spring of 2021, black bear licences in Labrador are now valid for spring and fall of the same calendar year. Applications are available by mail, online or by visiting www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca