General Information for All Hunters

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This guide is neither a legal document, nor a complete collection of current hunting and trapping regulations or firearms laws. It is an abbreviated guide issued for the convenience of hunters and trappers. The Wild Life Act and Regulations should be consulted for interpreting and applying the law. Please contact your nearest Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (FFA) office for more information.

Application Deadlines

Resident Moose and Caribou and Not-for-Profit/Charitable Moose Applications

Resident Black Bear

Applications and payments must be received by the dates indicated to ensure your licence is available before the hunting season begins. Click here for an application. Or to apply online, visit the Wildlife Information Management System.

Spring Season: Close of business (4:30 p.m NST) April 14, 2022

Fall Season: Close of business (4:30 p.m NST) June 30, 2022

  • Applications received after these dates will be accepted but are not guaranteed to be processed before the season opens.
  • Do not include moose or caribou applications with your black bear application.

New Applicants for the Big Game Licence Draw

To be eligible for the 2022 draw, applicants must have completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Hunter Education Course, or transferred hunter certification credentials from another jurisdiction before January 30, 2022. Outdoor Identification Card applications must be accompanied by proof of completion of a recognized hunter training course.

Canadian Firearms Safety Course/Hunter Education (CFSC/HE) Course

Individuals wishing to hunt game with a firearm (including bows) in Newfoundland and Labrador are required to complete the CFSC/HE Course. Courses are offered through College of the North Atlantic. Exemptions may apply for those who have completed other recognized hunter training programs.

Outdoor Identification Card (OIC)/Temporary Outdoor Identification Cards (TOIC)

An OIC is issued to residents who have completed the CFSC/HE Course or have previously completed the Hunter Capability Test or the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (in Newfoundland and Labrador only) before April 1996. The OIC, along with the appropriate hunting licence must be in your possession while hunting with firearms. The OIC is proof that a hunter has met the province’s requirements to hunt game with a firearm.

Problem Moose on Farms

  • Holders of a valid moose hunting licence may be authorized by a wildlife officer to assist farmers in removing problem moose from farms. If you are interested in participating, please call a regional Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture office. Licence holders will be contacted in the order their calls are received. You may be called to a farm to either remove a moose shot by a wildlife officer, or asked to hunt on the farm according to instructions from the conservation officer and farmer.
  • Persons with disabilities not able to participate in the CFSC/HE Course or persons with disabilities who are eligible to hunt big game and are registered for the Program for Hunters with a Disability may become eligible to receive a problem moose from farms or moose that is euthanized by a conservation officer. Priority access to this moose meat is managed by the regional or district Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture office where the problem moose occurs.  Persons interested in problem moose must be eligible for the Program for Hunters with a disability and hold a big game license or provide a medical note from a doctor.  For more information or to add your name to a priority list, please contact your nearest Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture office.

Not-for-Profit Moose Licences

  • A number of moose licences are available to registered not-for-profit (NFP) and charitable organizations through the Wildlife Division. Organizations may utilize qualified resident hunters to secure meat for charities and service groups that use it for fundraising purposes and food sharing programs.
  • Successful applicants will also be automatically added to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Problem Moose on Farms list in their region, and will be contacted directly when a problem moose is identified in their chosen Management Area (possibly before the opening of the regular big game season). NFP licence holders are strongly encouraged to make every effort to avail of this program if contacted to do so.
  • Registered not-for-profit and charitable organizations must apply by close of business 4:30 p.m. April 29, 2022. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
  • Applications are available here or by contacting the Wildlife Division.
  • Eligible applicants who did not receive a provincial NFP moose licence in the previous year will be given priority in the NFP draw process.
  • NFP applicants are be required to identify and only permit up to four eligible hunters to hunt to behalf of the organization.
  • Additional NFP moose licences are also available through Parks Canada in Gros Morne National Park and Terra Nova National Park. Contact Parks Canada for more information.

Sharing the Harvest

Permits to donate wild game can be obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture up to one week after the close of the big game hunting season (January 7, 2023). This action results from consultation with the Community Food Sharing Association – an umbrella organization representing 54 registered food banks operating in the province. All registered food banks are eligible for the special permit. Hunters may donate meat directly to participating food banks or through Share the Harvest NL. All donated moose and caribou must be processed at a government-licenced meat processing facility. Home butchered or processed wild game is not considered acceptable for donation to food banks.

Registered food banks wishing to apply for a permit should contact Wildlife Division officials at: 709-637-2025. For more information on receiving OR donating, see www.sharingtheharvestnl.ca

How Do I Get A Licence?

  • Resident moose licences for Newfoundland and Labrador and resident caribou licences for the Island of Newfoundland are only available through the Wildlife Division’s big game draw process.
  • Resident black bear licences for the Island of Newfoundland and Labrador are available through an online application process. Apply online by logging on with your user name and password at www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca or applications may also be printed by clicking here.
  • Resident small game/coyote/wolf and ptargmigan licences are available at vendor outlets throughout the province. Resident hunters must provide identification, such as a Newfoundland and Labrador Driver’s Licence, to the vendor at the time of purchase.
  • Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits are available through Canada Post Offices at local offices or online at http://www.permis-permits.ec.gc.ca/ and are valid throughout Canada (additional hunting licences may be required to hunt migratory game birds in other provinces).

Age Requirements

A person must be 12 years of age or older to hunt with a firearm for small game, migratory waterfowl and coyotes. To hunt big game, a person must be 16 years of age by August 31 in the year for which the licence is valid. Persons under 16 years of age may also purchase licences to take small game and furbearers by snaring or trapping only. See Youth Hunting and Trapping Licences for more information.

Federal Firearms Regulations

  • In addition to the Wild Life Regulations, the Firearms Act and Regulations require licencing of all gun owners. A firearms licence is also required to purchase ammunition.
  • For the purpose of hunting small game, migratory game birds or coyotes with firearms in this province, hunters aged 16 and 17 may hunt while under the immediate and direct supervision of a person who can lawfully possess firearms (i.e. has a valid Possession Only Licence or Possession and Acquisition Licence). Youth aged 16 and 17 may also apply for a Minor’s Licence. For Information on Minor’s Possession Licence applications call 1-800-731-4000 ext. 5013
  • For more information about federal firearms regulations and licences/permits, please contact the RCMP’s Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 or visit their website at: rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm

Transportation of Firearms

  • A permit to transport firearms is required during a closed season or without a valid hunting licence. Permits are available at local Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture offices.
  • Rod and Gun Clubs and firearm businesses (gunsmiths) may apply for annual firearms transport permits by contacting the Wildlife Division at: 709-637-2006.

Online Services

  • Many of the services provided by the Wildlife Division, such as submitting big game applications and payments, renewing licences, and submitting licence returns can be accessed online at www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca provided you have your login identification and password. To request information concerning your login identification and password, contact the Wildlife Division at: 709-637-2025, 709-729-2630, or email wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca
  • Check out our website at www.gov.nl.ca/ffa for more information on hunting, trapping, angling and guiding.

Residents

A resident of Newfoundland and Labrador is:

  • A Canadian citizen who has lived in this province for six consecutive months immediately preceding their application for a licence;
  • A person, other than a Canadian citizen, who has lived in this province for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding their application for a licence;
  • While stationed in the province, a member of the Canadian Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP);
  • While stationed outside the province, a member of the Canadian Forces or the RCMP who was born in the province; or
  • A person ordinarily a resident of the province who leaves to attend a recognized educational institution and intends to return upon completion of studies at the institution concerned.
  • If your residency status has changed you must notify the Wildlife Division immediately. It is an offence for non- residents to apply for and receive a resident licence.

Note: Members of the Canadian Forces and RCMP are required to provide proof of their military/police status to the Wildlife Division when filing an application for resident licences. An Outdoor Identification Card may be requested to confirm their status from time-to-time during routine file maintenance.

Non-residents

  • A non-resident Canadian is a person who is a Canadian citizen but is not a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • A non-resident alien is a person who is not a Canadian citizen.
  • General information and regulations found in this Guide are applicable to non-residents.
  • Non-resident hunters must possess a valid non-resident hunting license. They must also possess proof of having met their own jurisdiction’s hunter education requirements and must present this information immediately upon request of a wildlife officer.
  • Non-resident big game hunters are required to be accompanied by licenced guides. Guides are supplied by licenced outfitters. Non-resident small game, coyote, wolf or waterfowl hunters do not require guides.
  • Non-resident big game licences (bear, moose, caribou) are only available through licensed outfitters.
  • Non-resident small game/coyote/wolf shooting licences are available through vendor outlets. Migratory game bird hunting permits are available through Canada Post Offices.
  • Hunters must declare all game entering the United States from Canada. American hunters should obtain the necessary forms at U.S. Customs when leaving the United States.
  • Hunters must possess a game export permit to take game out of the province. Export permits are available free of charge from all Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture offices and licenced outfitters.
  • Non-resident black bear hunters may require a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit to transport black bear parts outside Canada.
  • Non-residents arriving at a Canada Customs port must declare all firearms. For further information, contact the Canadian Firearms Program at: 1-800-731-4000 or by visiting: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm.
  • A non-resident cannot apply for a licence or priority pool advancement in the resident big game licence draw.
  • For a list of outfitters and complete information on non-resident hunting, contact the Department of Tourism, Culture, Art and Recreation by phone at: 1-800-563-6353 (inside North America) or 1-709-729-2830 (outside North America), or by visiting: www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/thingstodo/hunting.

Guide Licences

  • First-time applicants must include, along with their guide licence application and proof of Canadian residency status, a valid emergency first aid certificate and proof of completion of a recognized Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course and boat safety course or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants may include proof of completion of a recognized guide training program. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • New guide applicants should expect a minimum of 10 business days for an application to be processed. Applications received during the hunting or angling season will not be given additional priority. Those wishing to receive a guide licence should submit their request well in advance of the season.
  • Applications are available online here or from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture or Wildlife Division offices.
  • Renewal payments may be made online at: www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca or by contacting the Central Cashier’s Office at: 729-3042 or P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6.
  • For more information, contact your nearest Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Office. 

Replacement Licences

  • If your hunting licence and/or tags have been lost, damaged or stolen, you must get a replacement licence and/or tags before you continue hunting.
  • Replacement big game licences and/or tags are available from any Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Regional or District Office or Wildlife Division office. Return any part of the original licence and/or tags in your possession. An affidavit describing the circumstances of the loss must be completed and signed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public.
  • Replacement small game/coyote/wolf shooting licences are available from the vendor (at no cost) where you purchased your original licence. Keep your licence return and record the date of purchase and the vendor’s name and address. An affidavit describing the circumstances of the loss must be completed and signed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public. Bring these to the vendor and they will issue a replacement licence.

Samiajij Miawpukek Reserve (Conne River)

Hunters are advised that permission is required to access the Reserve. Contact the Miawpukek First Nation at: 1-866-882-2470 or go to: www.mfngov.ca for more information.

Maps

  • Maps in this publication are prepared for reference only. The Wild Life Act and Regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpreting and applying the law. For detailed maps and legal boundary descriptions visit: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ffa/public-education/wildlife/hunting/boundry/, or write to the Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 2007, Corner Brook, NL A2H 7S1.
  • Maps are provided to big game licence holders and include physical boundary descriptions.

Marked Animals

  • Many big game animals and wolves have been ear-tagged and/or have had radio collars affixed to them. Ear tags may be made of light plastic or metal. Radio collars are generally white or black in colour. Because of the cost associated with animal capture and marking and the value that these animals have in monitoring programs, hunters are asked not to harvest these animals. However, hunters who harvest these animals must return the radio collar and lower jawbone (in the case of a big game animal). A $50.00 reward will be offered for the return of radio collars.
  • For more information on marked wildlife, please contact the Wildlife Division.

Injured or Diseased Animals

Please report any observations of injured or diseased wildlife to the nearest Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture office. If a big game animal harvested by you appears to be diseased or was previously injured, the entire carcass must be brought to a local Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture office for inspection. In most cases, it is only possible to determine that an animal has a serious disease or infection by examining the entire carcass. Hunters are advised that a replacement licence may only be issued if a big game animal is found to be unfit for consumption because of disease or previous injury and the entire carcass has been submitted for disposal.

Health Canada Advisories

  • Health Canada advises that some big game animals treated with immobilizing drugs may be unsuitable for human consumption. All big game animals captured using immobilizing drugs have been marked with a radio collar or ear tag or both. If you happen to harvest a collared or ear-tagged animal, contact the Wildlife Division immediately at: 637-2398 for advice on the suitability for consumption.
  • The Wildlife Division, after consultation with Health Canada, recommends the public not eat the liver or kidneys of moose or caribou. The cadmium contained in one meal of either liver or kidney, combined with a person’s normal consumption of cadmium in other foods, would likely be more than the weekly allowable intake of cadmium as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve

Within the national park reserve boundary, small game, waterfowl hunting and fur-bearer trapping by eligible persons will continue to be permitted under the authority of a valid provincial licence. To determine eligibility and obtain more information concerning other activities inside the national park reserve boundary, please consult the Parks Canada website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/nl/mealy or contact the Parks Canada office in Happy Valley Goose Bay at: (709) 896-2394 or email: pc.mealys.pc@canada.ca.

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