FREDERICTON (GNB) - Proposed amendments to the moose hunting regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Act will increase the length of the moose hunting season from three to five days.
The announcement was made today in the legislative assembly by Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud.
"Moose hunting is a very popular recreational activity for which demand greatly exceeds supply each year," said Robichaud. "In recent years, applications for moose licenses have been on average 14 times higher than the amount available. According to the department's annual moose hunter survey, most license holders said they would prefer a longer hunting season."
In order to ensure long-term sustainability among moose populations in the province, the moose license quota for the 2014 season will be held at 2013 numbers.
The department increased its aerial moose survey effort for the winter of 2013-2014 to ensure that a longer hunting season would not impact moose populations in the future.
"A longer hunting season will give hunters more opportunities to hunt a moose,” said Robichaud. “This will also result in more economic benefits for that industry in the province."
The 2014 resident moose draw will be held from May 20 to June 13. When the proposed changes come into effect, the longer moose hunting season will take place during the last week of September.
The public is invited to review and provide comments on the proposed amendments by June 5.