Moose
For the island of Newfoundland a moose quota of 27,575 licenses has been established for the 2023-24 hunting season: these include 15,857 Either Sex and 7,328 Male Only Resident Licences, 460 Not-For-Profit (NFP) and 3,930 Non-Resident Licences. This represents an overall decrease of 90 licences compared to 2022-23, including an increase of 5 NFP licences in National Parks. Decreases to moose quotas have occurred in 14 Moose Management Areas (MMAs) including MMAs 4(-50), 13(-30), 18(-50), 21(-50), 24 (-40), 28A (-5), 29(-100), 31(-50) 33(-50), 34 (-50), 35(-50), 36(-100), 41 (-75) and 42(-50) while increases occurred in MMAs 1(+50), 2(+50), 5(+50), 6 (+50), 25 (+100), 26 (+75), 30 (+100), 32 (+50), 38 (+30), 40(+50) and 45 (+100).
In Labrador, there is an overall quota of 340 moose licences available for the 2023-24 resident big game draw. This represents a quota reduction of 5 licences which occurred in MMA 52. An additional 25 licences are also established in MMAs within Labrador Inuit Lands and administered by the Nunatsiavut Government.
Black Bear
As previously announced, Wild Life Regulations now 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
Note that for licencing purposes for the 2023 spring Black Bear season, individuals
who possess a 2022-23 General Trapper’s Licence and a 2023 Black Bear Licence will
be permitted to use Aldrich foot holding traps or similar devices for harvesting Black bear.
A person who intends on using these trapping devices during the 2023 fall Black Bear season will be required to purchase a 2023-24 General Trapper’s Licence which will be available during the normal trapper application/licence processing period in July.
Not for Profit Moose Licences
A new application form is now established for organizations interested in applying for the Not for Profit Moose Licence. Hand written applications are no longer accepted. Eligible applicants who were unsuccessful in receiving a licence in 2022 will receive priority in the 2023 NFP draw. All NFP applicants will be required to identify up to four eligible hunters to hunt to behalf of the organization, only the names of hunters listed on the application will be permitted to hunt on the licence once it has been issued. To download an NFP application, click here.
Big Game Applications Online
The big game licence application process for the resident moose/caribou draw is available as an online service only. Applicants will be notified electronically via email when the online big game application becomes available and when the big game draw is completed. Eligible hunters must have an online account to log into the Department’s Wildlife Information Management System (WIMS) portal. For further information about our online services, please contact the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025/709-729-2630 or by email at wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca. Include your name, NL Driver’s Licence/NL Photo ID and telephone number.
Advisory:
A number of moose and caribou management area surveys are being conducted during the winter of 2023 and may potentially influence quotas once the results are analyzed. Any changes to quotas will be announced prior to the big game licence draw.
Sunday Hunting
Hunters and trappers may possess and use firearms and ammunition and/or archery equipment on a Sunday provided that the season is open and you hold a valid hunting or trapping licence and are within your hunting zone or management area. Please also refer to the Regulation Summary section for the types of firearms and ammunition permitted on a licence for hunting or trapping various species.