Moose
For the island of Newfoundland a moose quota of 27,665 licenses has been established: 17,850 Either Sex, 9,360 Male Only and 455 Not-For-Profit (NFP). This represents an overall decrease of 659 resident licenses over 2021-2022, including a decrease of 20 NFP as a result of reductions in the National Parks. Decreases to moose quotas have occurred in 13 Moose Management Areas (MMAs) including MMAs 4(-1), 11(-40), 15(-100), 16(-50), 19(-62), 27(-56), 28A(-30), 29(-100), 31(-100) 33(-50), 35(-50), 36(-100) and 44(-100) while increases occurred in MMAs 25(+50), 32(+50) and 40(+100).
In Labrador, the overall quota of 345 moose licences available for the resident big game draw remains unchanged compared to the 2021-22 season. However, quota management adjustments have been made to MMA 53 (-5) and MMA 93 (+5). An additional 25 licences are also established in MMAs within Labrador Inuit Lands and administered by the Nunatsiavut Government.
Black Bear Voluntary Tooth Collection
Similar to the moose/caribou jawbone collection program, the Wildlife Division will re-establish voluntary collections of black bear teeth from licenced hunters that can be used to enhance information for wildlife management. Hunters who submit the premolar tooth of a harvested black bear will receive a co-operating big game hunter crest. See Jawbone/Tooth Collection for more information.
Big Game Applications Online
The big game licence application process for the resident moose/caribou draw is now a primarily online service. Under this improved process, applicants will be notified electronically via email when the online big game application becomes available and the big game draw is completed, rather than through the Canada Post. Eligible hunters must have an online account to log into the Department’s Wildlife Information Management System (WIMS) portal. Eligible hunters are now required to set up an online account to log into the Department’s Wildlife Information Management System (WIMS) portal and access their big game application information. Click here for an informational video regarding the Wildlife Management System.
Options for submitting applications or checking draw results for individuals who reside in areas with limited internet access may be provided by contacting the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025/709-729-2360 or by email at wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca
Not for Profit Moose Licences
Starting in 2022, eligible applicants who were unsuccessful in receiving a licence in 2021 will receive priority in the 2022 NFP draw. Additionally all NFP applicants will be required to identify and only permit up to four eligible hunters to hunt to behalf of the organization. To download an NFP application, click here.
Coyote and Wolf Shooting (Island of Newfoundland)
Centerfire rifles in calibers up to .225 shall not be transported or possessed in areas frequented by wildlife on the island of Newfoundland during the period September 10 to December 31, 2022. Examples of these calibers include 17 Rem., .22 Hornet, .204 Ruger, .218 Bee, .222 and .223 Rem., .223 WSSM, .22-250 Rem., .220 Swift, .224 Weatherby Mag. and .225 Winchester. These restrictions also apply to the holders of a general trapping licence. Hunters and trappers may continue to use a shotgun with shot sizes #2 or larger for coyote or wolf shooting throughout the period that a coyote and wolf shooting licence is valid.
Licenced big game and small game hunters may continue to shoot coyote or wolf using firearms and ammunition permitted under their valid licence, in their hunting area. Please note that small game licence holders using a shotgun must use #2 shot size or larger to shoot coyotes and are not permitted to possess or transport slugs.
Ptarmigan
There will be a change to small game licencing beginning this fall; ptarmigan hunters will now be required to purchase a separate licence to shoot Rock and Willow Ptarmigan throughout the province. This will support the collection of hunter effort and harvest data for these species and enhance ptarmigan management. Licence fees can be found here.
New daily bag and possession limits for Rock Ptarmigan have been established on the island of Newfoundland starting in the 2022 fall season. Daily and field possession limits are reduced for Rock Ptarmigan to not more than 3 daily or 6 in field possession in zones having a combined ptarmigan daily limit of 6 or field possession of 12. Similarly in areas where combined ptarmigan daily/possession limits are 12/24 respectively, not more than 6/12 may be Rock Ptarmigan.
Sunday Hunting
Beginning August 28, 2022 hunters and trappers will be permitted to possess and use firearms and ammunition and/or archery equipment on a Sunday throughout the entire period of the season provided that you hold a valid hunting or trapping licence and are within your hunting zone or management area.
Red Squirrel Shooting
Beginning this fall, Red squirrel will be permitted to be taken under a small game shooting licence using firearms and ammunition and/or archery equipment permitted for small game. Red squirrel is not permitted to be harvested using snares under a small game licence.
Black Bear Trapping
New Wild Life Regulations will come into force beginning January 1, 2023 that will require a person to hold a valid big game Black bear shooting licence and a valid trapping licence in order to use Aldrich foot holding traps or similar devices for harvesting Black bear. To obtain a trapping licence you must also first complete a Trapper Education Course. Courses are available by contacting the Newfoundland and Labrador Trapper’s Association at 709.691.0268 or by email at nltrappers@hotmail.com