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NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
REGULATION 55/24

Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2024-2025
under the
Wild Life Regulations
and the
Wild Life Act

Amended:

35/25

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
REGULATION 55/24

Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2024-2025
under the
Wild Life Regulations
and the
Wild Life Act

(Filed August 22, 2024)

Under the authority of sections 16, 25, 38, 39, 73, 81.2 and 114 of the Wild Life Regulations and the Wild Life Act, I make the following Order.

Dated at St. John’s, August 22, 2024.

Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

ORDER

Analysis


       
1.   Short title

       
2.   Definition

       
3.   Generally

              PART I
FUR BEARING ANIMALS

       
4.   Fur bearing animals – Labrador

       
5.   Fur bearing animals – Newfoundland

              PART II
BIG GAME

       
6.   Black bear – Labrador

       
7.   Black bear – Newfoundland

       
8.   Caribou – Labrador

       
9.   Caribou – Newfoundland

     
10.   Moose – Labrador

     
11.   Moose – Newfoundland

     
12.   Polar bears – Labrador

              PART III
SMALL GAME

     
13.   Small game – Labrador

     
14.   Small game – Newfoundland

              PART IV
COYOTE

     
15.   Coyote – Newfoundland and Labrador

     
16.   Coyote – Labrador

     
17.   Coyote – Newfoundland

     
18.   Repeal


Short title

1.  This Order may be cited as the Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2024-2025.

55/24 s1

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Definition

        2. In this Order, "regulations" means the Wild Life Regulations.

55/24 s2

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Generally

        3. A person shall not hunt, take or kill fur bearing animals, big game, small game or coyotes at any time unless

             (a)  the person holds a valid licence for the species being hunted;

             (b)  the person holds a valid licence for the area in which the person is hunting; and

             (c)  it is during the open season prescribed in this Order for the species and the area.

55/24 s3

PART I
FUR BEARING ANIMALS

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Fur bearing animals – Labrador

        4. (1) In this section, "fur management zone" means the fur management zones described in Schedule B of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the trapping and shooting of fur bearing animals and coyotes in Labrador in the following fur management zones shall be:

             (a)  Labrador North Fur Zone:                       

Beaver

October 15, 2024 to May 31, 2025

Coyote

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Ermine, weasel

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Fox, coloured

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Fox, white

October 15, 2024 to May 31, 2025

Lynx

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Marten

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Mink

November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Muskrat

October 5, 2024 to May 31, 2025

Otter

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Squirrel

October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Wolf

October 15, 2024 to April 30, 2025

             (b)  Labrador South Fur Zone:

Beaver

October 15, 2024 to May 31, 2025

Coyote

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Ermine, weasel

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Fox, coloured

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Fox, white

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Lynx

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Marten

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Mink

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Muskrat

October 15, 2024 to May 31, 2025

Otter

October 15, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Squirrel

November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025

Wolf

November 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025

             (3)  The open season for the shooting of wolf in Labrador under a wolf shooting licence issued under section 15 of the regulations shall be

             (a)  October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025 in the Labrador North Fur Zone; and

             (b)  November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 in the Labrador South Fur Zone.

             (4)  A person who takes a wolf shall surrender the lower jawbone or complete skull of each wolf taken to the office specified by the Wildlife Division by May 15, 2025.

55/24 s4

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Fur bearing animals – Newfoundland

        5. (1) In this section, "fur management area" means the fur management areas described in Schedule A of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)   The open season for the trapping and shooting of the following fur bearing animals and coyotes on the Island of Newfoundland in all fur management areas shall be:

Beaver

October 20, 2024 to April 15, 2025

Coyote

October 20, 2024 to February 1, 2025

Ermine, weasel

October 20, 2024 to February 28, 2025

Fox, coloured

October 20, 2024 to February 1, 2025

Fox, white

October 20, 2024 to February 1, 2025

Mink

November 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025

Muskrat

October 20, 2024 to March 15, 2025

Otter

October 20, 2024 to March 15, 2025

Squirrel

October 20, 2024 to February 28, 2025

Wolf

October 20, 2024 to February 1, 2025

             (3)  The open season for the trapping and shooting of lynx on the Island of Newfoundland in the following fur management areas shall be

             (a)  January 1, 2025 to February 1, 2025 in the Lynx Zone A: Northern Region (Open); and

             (b)  January 15, 2025 to February 1, 2025 in the Lynx Zone B: Southern Region.

             (4)  Notwithstanding subsection (3), there shall be no open season for the trapping and shooting of lynx in

             (a)  Brunette Island, Fortune Bay; and

             (b)  Great Southern Harbour.

             (5)  A person who takes a lynx shall register it with the office specified by the Wildlife Division for tagging before the close of business hours on February 10, 2025.

             (6)  The open season for the shooting of wolf on the Island of Newfoundland under a wolf shooting licence issued under section 15 of the regulations shall be October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

             (7)  A person who takes a wolf shall surrender the lower jawbone or complete skull of each wolf taken to the office specified by the Wildlife Division by May 15, 2025.

55/24 s5

PART II
BIG GAME

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Black bear – Labrador

        6. The open season for the trapping and shooting of black bear in Labrador, excluding Torngat Mountains National Park and Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, shall be August 10, 2024 to November 30, 2024 and April 1, 2025 to July 13, 2025.

55/24 s6

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Black bear – Newfoundland

        7. (1) In this section, "black bear management area" means the black bear management areas described in the Schedule to the Black Bear Hunting and Trapping Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the trapping and shooting of black bear on the Island of Newfoundland in all black bear management areas shall be September 14, 2024 to November 10, 2024 and May 1, 2025 to July 15, 2025.

             (3)  [Rep. by 35/25 s1]

             (4)  The open season for the shooting of black bear on the Island of Newfoundland in all black bear management areas by long bow or compound bow and arrow shall be August 31, 2024 to September 13, 2024.

             (5)  [Rep. by 35/25 s1]

             (6)  [Rep. by 35/25 s1]

55/24 s7; 35/25 s1

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Caribou – Labrador

        8. For the purpose of conservation, there shall be no open season in Labrador for the hunting of caribou.

55/24 s8

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Caribou – Newfoundland

        9. (1) In this section, "caribou management area" means the caribou management areas described in the Schedule to the Caribou Hunting Order, Newfoundland.

             (2)  The open season for the shooting of caribou on the Island of Newfoundland in the following caribou management areas shall be

Area No.

Season Dates

61

September 14, 2024 to December 1, 2024

62

September 14, 2024 to December 1, 2024

64

September 14, 2024 to December 1, 2024

66 to 68

September 14, 2024 to December 1, 2024

70

September 14, 2024 to October 6, 2024

71A

September 14, 2024 to November 3, 2024

71B

September 14, 2024 to November 3, 2024

72

September 14, 2024 to October 6, 2024

76 to 79

September 14, 2024 to December 1, 2024

             (3)  The open season for the shooting of caribou on the Island of Newfoundland by long bow or compound bow and arrow in the caribou management areas listed in subsection (2), except caribou management areas 70, 71A, 71B and 72, shall be August 31, 2024 to September 13, 2024.

55/24 s9

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Moose – Labrador

        10. (1) In this section, "moose management area" means the moose management areas described in Schedule B of the Moose Hunting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the shooting of moose in Labrador in all moose management areas shall be September 14, 2024 to March 9, 2025.

             (3)  The open season for the shooting of moose in Labrador by long bow or compound bow and arrow in all moose management areas shall be August 31, 2024 to September 13, 2024.

55/24 s10

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Moose – Newfoundland

      11. (1) In this section, "moose management area" means the moose management areas described in Schedule A of the Moose Hunting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the shooting of moose on the Island of Newfoundland in all moose management areas shall be September14, 2024 to December 31, 2024.

             (3)  The open season for the shooting of moose on the Island of Newfoundland by long bow or compound bow and arrow in all moose management areas shall be August 31, 2024 to September 13, 2024.

             (4)  Notwithstanding anything in this section, there shall be no open season for the shooting of moose in moose management area 43 for moose that are predominately white in colour.

55/24 s11

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Polar bears – Labrador

      12. The open season for the shooting of polar bear in Labrador in the area from Fish Cove Point in Groswater Bay to Cape Chidley shall be February 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.

55/24 s12

PART III
SMALL GAME

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Small game – Labrador

      13. (1) The open season for the shooting of the following small game in Labrador shall be:

Arctic hare

October 1, 2024 to April 20, 2025

Snowshoe hare

October 1, 2024 to April 20, 2025

Ptarmigan

October 1, 2024 to April 20, 2025

Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse

October 1, 2024 to April 20, 2025

Porcupine

October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Red squirrel

October 1, 2024 to April 20, 2025

             (2)  The open season for the snaring of the following small game in Labrador shall be:

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Arctic hare

October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Snowshoe hare

October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Ptarmigan

October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse

October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

55/24 s13

Small game – Newfoundland

      14. (1) In this section, "small game management area" means the small game management areas described in the Schedule to the Small Game Hunting and Snaring Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the shooting of snowshoe hare on the Island of Newfoundland shall be

             (a)  October 5, 2024 to December 22, 2024 on Great Island;

             (b)  October 5, 2024 to November 3, 2024 on Little Bay Islands; and

             (c)  October 5, 2024 to March 9, 2025 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland except Bell Island in Conception Bay.

             (3)  The open season for the shooting of ptarmigan on the Island of Newfoundland in the following small game management areas shall be

             (a)  September 21, 2024 to November 10, 2024 in the Burin Area and the Avalon/Swift Current Area;

             (b)  September 21, 2024 to November 17, 2024 in the Topsails Area; and

             (c)  September 21, 2024 to December 1, 2024 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland and the islands adjacent to the Island of Newfoundland.

             (4)  The open season for the shooting of ruffed grouse and spruce grouse on the Island of Newfoundland shall be September 21, 2024 to December 22, 2024.

             (5)  The open season for the shooting of red squirrel on the Island of Newfoundland shall be

             (a)  October 5, 2024 to December 22, 2024 on Great Island;

             (b)  October 5, 2024 to November 3, 2024 on Little Bay Islands; and

             (c)  October 5, 2024 to March 9, 2025 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland except Bell Island in Conception Bay.

             (6)  The open season for the snaring of snowshoe hare on the Island of Newfoundland shall be

             (a)  October 5, 2024 to December 22, 2024 on Great Island;

             (b)  October 5, 2024 to November 3, 2024 on Little Bay Islands; and

             (c)  October 5, 2024 to March 9, 2025 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland except Bell Island in Conception Bay, Glover Island in Grand Lake and the following small game management areas:

                      (i )  the Pine Marten Study Area,

                     (ii)  the Main River Study Area,

                    (iii)  the Little Grand Lake Wild Life Reserve, and

                    (iv)  the Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve.

             (7)  The open season for the snaring of ptarmigan on the Island of Newfoundland shall be October 5, 2024 to March 9, 2025 except Glover Island in Grand Lake and the following small game management areas:

             (a)  the Pine Marten Study Area;

             (b)  the Burin Area;

             (c)  the Main River Study Area;

             (d)  the Little Grand Lake Wild Life Reserve; and

             (e)  the Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve.

             (8)  The open season for the snaring of ruffed grouse and spruce grouse on the Island of Newfoundland shall be October 5, 2024 to March 9, 2025 except Glover Island in Grand Lake and the following small game management areas:

             (a)  the Pine Marten Study Area;

             (b)  the Main River Study Area;

             (c)  the Little Grand Lake Wild Life Reserve; and

             (d)  the Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve.

             (9)  Notwithstanding anything in this section, there is no open season for the shooting or snaring of small game on

             (a)  Kelly's Island in Conception Bay; and

             (b)  Brunette Island in Fortune Bay.

55/24 s14

PART IV
COYOTE

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Coyote – Newfoundland and Labrador

      15. The open season for the shooting of coyote on the Island of Newfoundland and in Labrador under a coyote shooting licence shall be September 14, 2024 to July 15, 2025.

55/24 s15

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Coyote – Labrador

      16. (1)In this section, "fur management zone" means the fur management zones described in Schedule B of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the trapping and shooting of coyote in Labrador in the following fur management zones shall be

             (a)  October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025 in the Labrador North Fur Zone; and

             (b)  November 1, 2024 to March 20, 2025 in the Labrador South Fur Zone.

55/24 s16

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Coyote – Newfoundland

      17. (1) In this section, "fur management area" means the fur management areas described in Schedule A of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

             (2)  The open season for the trapping and shooting of coyote on the Island of Newfoundland in all fur management areas shall be October 20, 2024 to February 1, 2025.

55/24 s17

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Repeal

      18. The Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2023-2024 , Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 62/23, is repealed.

55/24 s18