THE EVOLUTION OF NEWFOUNDLAND'S BIG GAME LICENSING SYSTEM

• Main Authors: Hancock, J., Pike, D. G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 1980
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1683

The island of Newfoundland is presently divided into 38 moose management areas and 9 caribou management areas with license quotas calculated annually for each. Hunter demands exceed the available resource so an equitable process must be used to allocate big game licenses. The evolution of the current system is described outlining changes in moose management strategy since 1944. In 1980, hunters, after passing a capability test, file an application (either individually or as a party of 2) outlining preferences for species (moose and/or caribou) and hunting areas. Applications are placed in priority pools based on the applicants’ hunting history. Licenses are awarded by a computer draw with preference given to party applications and to hunters who were unsuccessful in past years.