News release

Deadline for Antlerless Deer Draw Approaches

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

NATURAL RESOURCES--Deadline for Antlerless Deer Draw Approaches

  • ---------------------------------------------------------------More than 20,000 applications have been received so far for the 8,150 available antlerless deer hunting stamps. Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill reminds hunters that they have only two weeks left to enter the draw.

"The phone lines close at midnight on Friday, Sept. 4," said Mr. MacAskill. "At the current rate of calls, we will reach around 25,000 applications by the deadline."

The application line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To apply call 1-900-565-DEER (3337). Hunters should have their Nova Scotia Firearm or Bow Hunting Certificate on hand and know which deer management zone they wish to hunt in. Zone maps and detailed information on how to apply are available at all Natural Resources offices or where hunting and fishing licences are sold. The stamps will be distributed through a computerized random draw early next month.

"This is a random draw," Mr. MacAskill stressed. "Everyone has the same chance to have their application drawn. The draw is not first-come first-serve, so the last hunters to apply have as good a chance as the first applicants."

The limited-entry hunt was introduced because there has been significant growth in the deer herd throughout most of the province. Those successful in the draw will be permitted to hunt does for the first time since 1992. Hunters who choose not to apply or are not drawn can still hunt antlered bucks throughout the province. The bag limit remains one deer per hunter.

In the fall of 1997, hunters had a 19 per cent success rate in taking a deer under the buck law.

"With the increase in the number of deer, the success rate is expected to climb to 22 to 25 per cent for those hunting bucks only," said Tony Nette of Natural Resources' Wildlife Division. "Although only an estimate, hunters who receive an antlerless deer hunting stamp are expected to have a success rate of 70 to 80 per cent.

"We have had some complaints concerning the $6 plus HST application fee," Mr. Nette continued. "The fee was set to cover the cost of the program and for no other reason. In this first year, there have been advertising and printing costs, and of course the call centre contracted to run the program must cover its costs and pay staff to run the 24-hour service."

When applying, hunters may choose one zone of their choice and are not restricted to the zone they live in. Zone 3, the area west of Amherst and Parrsboro, and Zone 7, the Cape Breton Highlands, are closed this year as deer numbers remain low in those regions. Zone boundaries follow well-known roads and, in some cases, rivers.

Applicants are reminded not to call the 1-900 line to confirm or correct their application. Errors can be corrected by calling the Wildlife Division office in Kentville at 902-679-6140 or the licensing office in Halifax at 902-424-6608.

The antlerless deer program was developed with input and support from organized hunters through the Nova Scotia Wildlife Federation. Tony Rodgers, the federation's executive director, said he is pleased hunters can bag antlerless deer, and that hunter response to the draw has been good.

"Hunters who understand proper deer management support the zone system," Mr. Rodgers said. "This is a more effective way to manage the herd and it will benefit hunters in the long run."

Results of the draw will be available from Sept. 12-16 by calling 493-1412 (Halifax area) or 1-877-535-1234, or on the Internet at www.deerdraw.hmcgroup.ca .

Mr. MacAskill and Mr. Rodgers remind all hunters to make safety their No. 1 priority when hunting.