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Big Game Licence Application and Draw Process

Eligibility

To be considered eligible for the 2023 big game licence draw, you must:

  • be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • be at least 16 years of age by August 31, 2023;
  • have a Hunter Certificate Number; and
  • have completed the Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course or applied for an Outdoor Identification Card before November 30, 2022.

Name Changes

Individuals requiring name changes to remain current in the Wildlife Management Information System must do so in writing and provide the applicable documentation:

  • for marriage, a copy of marriage certificate and driver’s licence or photo identification which matches the name on the marriage certificate;
  • for divorce, a copy of birth certificate and driver’s licence or photo identification which matches the name on the birth certificate; and
  • for any other reasons, a copy of change of name document and driver’s licence or photo identification.

This notification can be submitted to the Wildlife Division offices in Corner Brook or St. John’s or emailed to wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca 

Address Changes

The Wildlife Division must be notified in writing of any address changes to ensure you continue to receive your big game applications. This notification can be submitted to the Wildlife Division offices in Corner Brook or St. John’s or emailed to wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca You may also change your address in your online Wildlife Information Management account at www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca

 

Applications

Applications are to be submitted online via the Wildlife Information Management System. Eligible applicants who require further assistance can call: 709-637-2025 or 709-729-2630, or email: wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca. Include your name, NL Driver’s Licence/NL Photo ID and telephone number.

  • If you do not want a licence but wish to advance in the priority pools, indicate ‘no – advance priority pool only’ in the section asking “Do you want to enter the draw for a licence?”.
  • If you wish to have a licence, you must indicate ‘yes’ in the section asking if you want the application to enter the draw for a licence and the types of licences you are willing to accept (either-sex, male-only or calf). The more types that you are willing to accept, the greater your chances of receiving a licence. You must also indicate the areas for which you are willing to receive a licence.

Priority Pool Status

To advance through the priority pools you must submit an application each year by the deadline date. If a hunter does not submit an application for three consecutive years, their file will be identified as inactive and their priority pool will be reset to Pool 8.

Licence Draw

  • The draw is based on a ‘priority pool’ system and applications are ranked based on participation and/or success in previous draws. There are nine pools. Pool 1 has the highest priority and Pool 9 has the lowest.
  • This system gives applicants who have been in the draw the longest without receiving a licence the best possible chance of receiving one. Note that being in Pool 1 does not guarantee you a licence.
  • The draw is computerized and begins with Pool 1 co-applicant applications, followed by Pool 1 individual applications, followed by Pool 2 co-applicant applications and so on. Co-applicant applications receive preference to give as many hunters as possible an opportunity to hunt with the licences available.
  • The draw also begins with the first area of choice on each application and goes through each area listed until a licence is awarded or the choice of areas runs out.
  • In each area, either-sex licences are awarded first, followed by female-only or calf (if available) and male-only or calf.
  • Chances of receiving a licence are greater for co-applicant applications and those who list additional areas. Note that where two applicants on a co-applicant application have different rankings, the application is assigned to the lower pool.  For example, if the applicants have a Pool 3 and Pool 5 ranking, the application goes in Pool 5.
  • Youth Applicants: 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 draw their priority status will return to Pool 8 in the following year. 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 and if a licence was not awarded to the  youth applicant in the previous draw.  Persons 18 years of age who are new applicants in the big game licence draw start off in Pool 8.

Priority Pool Ranking

These rankings are based on a hunter who submits an application each year:

  • Pool 1: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous seven years.
  • Pool 2: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous six years.
  • Pool 3: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous five years.
  • Pool 4: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous four years.
  • Pool 5: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous three years, and new youth applicants.
  • Pool 6: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous two years.
  • Pool 7: Hunters who submitted an application but did not receive a licence in the previous year.
  • Pool 8: New adult applicants and hunters who held a party licence in the previous year.
  • Pool 9: Hunters who held an individual licence in the previous year.

Reasons for Rejected Applications

  • Conviction on file: individuals convicted for a big game offence under the Wild Life Act and Regulations are not eligible to participate in the application/draw process for five years.
  • Firearms prohibition: individuals prohibited by the Court from possessing a firearm are not eligible to participate in the application/draw process until the prohibition ends. It is an offence to do so knowingly.

Licence Payments

  • Payments for moose and caribou licences must be received by June 30, 2023 in order to guarantee receipt of the licence and tags before the start of the hunting season.
  • Payments will be accepted after the deadline date, however there may be delays in receiving your licence and tags.
  • Payments are not accepted at Wildlife Division offices. Payments are accepted through your Wildlife Information Management Account, via mail at Central Cashier’s Office, P.O. Box 8770, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6 or via telephone at 709-729-3042.  If paying by mail or telephone you must include your name, NL Driver’s Licence/NL Photo Id number and your telephone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once I file my big game application online, how do I know it was received and/or can I view it immediately to check for correct information?

Once you successfully complete your application you will receive a confirmation page. Please print or save the confirmation message for your records as it will be required for any future inquiries on your application with the Wildlife Division. Please print or save the confirmation page. It is strongly suggested you double check to ensure your application is received and all application data is accurate. You can view your application information by selecting the Applications/Returns menu and then click on the application from the list.

Can I make changes to my big game application once it has been filed online?

Yes. You can change your application information up to the deadline date. After that date no online changes will be permitted, but you will be able to view the details of your application.

How do I check for my big game draw results?

Once the big game draw is completed login to your online Wildlife Information Management account, click on the Applications/Returns menu then click on your Moose/Caribou application for the current year.  Your big game draw results will be displayed.