FREDERICTON (CNB) - The application period for New Brunswick residents to apply for the antlerless deer draw begins Monday, June 14, Natural Resources Minister Wally Stiles said today.

"The number of permits available for antlerless deer hunters will be slightly higher this year than last year,'" said Stiles. "This is due to an increase in permits for Wildlife Management Zone 23, the greater Saint John area, where there is an overpopulation of deer."

Quotas for antlerless deer licenses are based on scientific evidence gathered by Department of Natural Resources staff. Big game biologists and wildlife managers make recommendations to ensure populations of antlerless deer are managed responsibly.

In wildlife management zones one and two, the 2010 archery deer hunting season begins Monday, Oct. 4, and ends Sunday, Nov. 7, while the deer rifle hunt begins Monday, Oct. 25, and ends Sunday, Nov. 7.

In zones six through eight and 10 through 27, the archery deer hunting season begins Monday, Oct. 4, and ends on Saturday, Nov. 20, while the rifle deer hunt begins Monday, Oct. 25 and ends Saturday, Nov. 20.

There will be 4,850 antlerless deer permits available this year, an increase of 100 permits compared to 2009.

New Brunswick residents who want to hunt antlerless deer must first purchase their 2010 deer hunting licence before they can apply for an antlerless deer permit. Applications must be received at a department office or Service New Brunswick (SNB) centre by 5 p.m., Friday, July 16.

First time hunters, persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1981, and bow hunters must meet specific hunter education training requirements to be eligible to purchase their deer or other hunting licence. Contact your local Department of Natural Resources office for details on course requirements and availability.

Licences, applications, booklets describing wildlife management zones and deer hunter fact sheets are available at all department offices, SNB centres and licence vendors. Application information is also available online.

The random computerized draw for antlerless deer permits will be held in late summer. Successful applicants will receive a validation sticker in the mail prior to Oct. 1.

A specific number of permits are available for each wildlife management zone where hunting is permitted and New Brunswick residents may apply to hunt for antlerless deer in one of those zones. Deer hunting season remains closed in zones 3, 4, 5, and 9 while hunters are allowed to harvest only deer with visible antlers (bucks only) in zones 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19 and 25. For further regulatory details, refer to the 2010 Hunt and Trap summary of regulations.

The following is a list of wildlife management zones and the 2010 quota of antlerless permits allocated for each zone:

1 - 0 (bucks only)
2 - 0 (bucks only)
3 - Deer season closed
4 - Deer season closed
5 - Deer season closed
6 - 0 (bucks only)
7 - 0 (bucks only)
8 - 0 (bucks only)
9 - Deer season closed
10 - 0 (bucks only)
11 - 0 (bucks only)
12 - 0 (bucks only)
13 - 0 (bucks only)
14 - 0 (bucks only)
15 - 100
16 - 100
17 - 100
18 - 100
19 - 0 (bucks only)
20 - 100
21 - 200
22 - 2,000
23 - 1,500
24 - 100
25 - 0 (bucks only)
26 - 50
27 - 500

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11-06-10