Moose-hunting Licence Application Period Begins

Nova Scotian hunters have until midnight, May 31, to apply for a coveted moose hunting licence.

Applications can be sent by phone, online or mail.

The draw will take place at 11 a.m., June 25 at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre and winners will be notified by mail. The draw is also broadcast on the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters website at www.nsfah.ca .

"Moose hunting is very popular in Cape Breton and a boost for the local economy," said Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill. "The moose draw is an important part of our strategy to manage the herd and it gives every applicant a fair chance to win."

Moose hunting is only available in Victoria and Inverness counties, and for seven one-week moose hunting seasons between Sept. 29 and Nov. 8. A special three-day season in part of Inverness County, is scheduled Dec. 9-11. Moose hunting is not allowed on Sundays.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of Nova Scotia, have a valid Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card and be at least 18 years old. Hunters who held a moose hunting licence between 2009 and 2013 cannot apply for a licence this year.

Hunters can apply online at http://novascotia.ca/natr/ by following the Hunting key topic. Hunters can also call 1-900-565-3337 from a landline and the application fee will automatically be added to their phone bill. The phone option does not work with cellphones and it cannot be billed to a different phone number. It costs $7.83 (plus HST) to apply for a licence online or by phone.

Applications can also be paid by cheque and submitted by mail, using a form from the Natural Resources website. It costs $11.35 (plus HST) to apply by mail. Cheques should be made payable to HMC Communications Inc.

Each licence is valid for one season and in one geographic zone. Hunters must pick their season and zone when they apply.

Detailed information about the seasons, the five hunting zones and restrictions on the use of vehicles, is explained on the website.

In 2013, there were 10,827 applications for 345 licences.