News Release Archive
NATURAL RESOURCES--BEST SAFETY RECORD EVER AND GOOD DEER SEASON
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With no accidental shootings or fatalities reported, 1996 was the
safest hunting season ever recorded in Nova Scotia.
"I am delighted with this excellent safety record," said Natural
Resources Minister Eleanor Norrie. "It directly reflects upon the
efforts of Department of Natural Resources coordinators,
volunteer instructors across the province, and the hunters for
exercising caution while in the woods."
For the fourth consecutive year, there were no shooting
fatalities among hunters. In 1996, there were also no personal
injury accidents caused by shootings. This is the first time Nova
Scotia has posted such a safe hunting season.
"Since the hunter education program became mandatory in 1980,
there has been a 50 per cent reduction in accidental shootings
and fatalities," said Mrs. Norrie.
Deer hunters had a successful 1996 season, with a total of 8,180
bucks bagged during the six-week season. "This represents an
increase of 16 per cent over 1995 when 7,038 were taken," said
Mrs. Norrie. "The numbers were up in every region of the
province."
Lunenburg County reported the highest number of deer taken at
932, with Colchester County second at 858. The lowest reported
number was 35 in Victoria County.
Although returns from license vendors are not yet complete, an
estimated 50,000 deer hunting licenses were issued for the 1996
season.
Statistics for the 1996 moose and bear seasons were also
released.
During the 12-day moose season in October, 200 licensed hunters
bagged 174 moose compared with 175 in 1995. In 1996, 150 were
taken in the first week of hunting and 24 in the second week. Of
the total, 124 were bulls and 50 were cows.
"These figures, together with winter surveys and biological data
collected, indicate that the moose herd is healthy, productive
and stable," said Mrs. Norrie. "The total number of moose bagged
each season over the past 10 years appears to be sustainable."
During the 1996 bear season, 291 bears were taken in the
province. This is a decrease from the 1995 harvest of 339, but
the number of bear hunters dropped to 942 in 1996 from 1,016 in
1995.
"Sound wildlife management policies have allowed us to maintain
hunting seasons for these three species in Nova Scotia," said
Mrs. Norrie. "Hunter respect and support for these policies have
helped ensure the sustainability of our wildlife resources."
Nova Scotia deer harvest distribution and summary by county and
region.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: A COMPLETE LIST OF DEER HARVEST DISTRIBUTION BY
COUNTY AND REGION, AND A CHART OF HUNTING ACCIDENTS FROM 1980-1996
ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING 902-424-4492.
Contact: Susan Mader Zinck 902-424-2354
Tony Nette 902-679-6140
jlw Feb. 19, 1997 - 5:05 p.m.
