The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables made a number of changes to hunting and trapping regulations which will take effect in 2013.  The following is an overview of the significant changes.  A complete summary will be provided in the “2013 Nova Scotia Hunting and Furharvesting Summary of Regulations” to be published this summer, along with the complete text of regulations which will be available on-line. The Wildlife Act and Regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpreting and applying the law.

Note:   If you have questions on the Important Changes to Wildlife Regulations in 2013 listed below, please read the commonly asked Questions and Answers.

1. The fee for the Wildlife Habitat Stamp has been increased from $3.15 to $5.00 to increase the funds available for habitat projects through the Habitat Conservation Fund.
   
2. The expiry date for the Wildlife Habitat Stamp now aligns with the fiscal year and the annual cycle of all other licences (April 1 to March 31).
   
3. Two one-week seasons have been added to the existing four one-week seasons in Moose Management Zone 5 (within the Polletts Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Area).
4. Hunters of coyotes and other non-protected wildlife may now possess and use a rifle of .23 calibre or less (including centerfire rifles), from October 15 to the end of the season for hunting deer under a General Deer Hunting Stamp (allowing the use of higher calibre, more powerful center fire rifles and ammunition, which had been requested for hunting coyotes during that period). The .22 rim fire only restriction has been removed during period. Rifles of caliber greater than .23 will continue to be permitted for coyote hunting following  close of the season for hunting deer under a General Deer Hunting Stamp.
5. The restrictions on the time period for baiting bears for the purpose of hunting or photography have been removed, making those regulations consistent with regulations for placing bait for snaring bears and hunting deer and other wildlife; with its removal there is no longer a need for a special permit to bait for photography purposes prior to August 1.
6. There are now two separate deer hunting stamps,: (1) the general deer hunting stamp, under which all weapons approved for big game hunting may be used; and (2) the archery and muzzleloader deer hunting stamp, under which only bows, crossbows, and muzzleloaders may be used; each licence has a specific season during which it is valid, and a specific bag limit of 1 antlered deer (however, sex of the harvested deer will be subject to the specific regulations in place for the Deer Management  Zone in which you are hunting).
7. The period for hunting deer under a General stamp is from the last Friday in October until the first Saturday in December (approximately 6 weeks; previously the general open season for hunting deer), excluding Sundays.
8. The period for hunting deer under an Archery and Muzzleloader stamp is from the second Monday in September to the second Saturday in December, excluding Sundays; however, only bow hunting is permitted during the first two weeks, after which crossbows and muzzleloaders may also be used; the total time available under the Archery and Muzzleloader licence is 14 weeks for bow hunting, and 12 weeks for crossbow and muzzleloader hunting.
9. The previous restriction requiring  the use of bow and arrow only for deer hunting in the Chignecto Game Sanctuary remains in place.
10. Bows and crossbows can now be used during the special 6 day October hunt in the Liscomb Game Sanctuary, in addition to muzzleloaders.
11. Bows and crossbows can now be used during the special 6 day October hunt in the Tobeatic Wildlife Management Area, in addition to muzzleloaders.
12. Certain live trapping devices, in addition to box traps, ( cable restraints and padded leghold traps) are now allowed within 274 m of a dwelling with permission from the owner of the land where the trap is set (these traps still need to be at least 182 metres from any other dwelling, playground, golf course , school or public building).
13. Snares set for the purpose of capturing red squirrels and snowshoe hare have been added to the list of devices allowed within 274 m of a dwelling (these snares still need to be at least 182 metres from any dwelling, playground, golf course, school, or public building).
14. Changes have been made to the Licence and Permit Suspension Regulations to achieve consistency and align with changes made to the Deer Hunting Regulations.
15. A number of wording corrections and housekeeping changes for consistency were also made to several sets of wildlife regulations.

If you have further questions, please contact the Large Mammals Program.