Moose licences awarded under the non-profit moose licence program have now been issued to successful applicants, the provincial government announced today.
More than 250 applications were received, and applicants have been notified of the outcome. Up to 150 licences were available for non-profit groups.
“We received a significant number of applications from organizations and charities that represent a variety of local community and provincial interest groups,” Environment Minister Charlene Johnson said.
“These groups will now have an opportunity to harvest a moose that can be used to support a range of functions and events that are important for fundraising. This is the first year for this program and aspects of the program, including screening criteria, enforcement and user satisfaction, will be re-evaluated prior to next year’s program.”
The regional allocation of the non-profit moose licences is determined by a formula that considers both the sustainability of the moose resource and the need for the licence as measured through human population distributions. Given that the demand for the licences this year exceeded the 150 licences allocated for these groups, a random draw was held and the regional allotment of licences was awarded.
Charities and non-profit organizations successful in receiving a licence for a particular moose management area must observe special conditions and obligations outlined in this program, as well as all other general regulations for big game hunting under the Wild Life Act and Regulations. A licence will be issued directly to the non-profit organization which, in turn, can designate not more than two qualified big game hunters at any one time to hunt the moose on its behalf.
For more information about the criteria and conditions for a non-profit big game licence, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/licences/index.htm or call 709-729-2025.