Deadline for Antlerless Deer Draw Applications
Natural Resources Minister Ernie Fage is reminding people who want to participate in the antlerless deer hunt this fall to apply by midnight on Friday, Sept. 3.
Interest has grown steadily in the past few weeks, said Mr. Fage, but the number of inquiries in the first weeks after the application telephone line opened in June was lower than in the same period last year.
"Interest in the draw is high again, in this the second year of the program," said Mr. Fage. "The number of applications continues to grow as the deadline to apply approaches. On Aug. 23 alone, 912 applications were accepted.
"We anticipate a higher total number of applicants than last year because there are more than twice as many permits available this year."
Last year, a total of 32,641 applications were received for 8,150 permits. Because of an increase in deer numbers throughout most of the province, 17,100 permits are being made available for this fall's deer hunting season.
"The overall hunter success rate in taking deer has steadily increased each year since 1993. Last year, the success rate was 23.8 per cent," said Tony Nette of the Department of Natural Resources wildlife division. "With deer numbers higher, that rate is expected to increase again this year, especially for people holding an antlerless deer hunting stamp."
Those successful in the computerized random draw will be authorized to take any deer, regardless of age or sex, within the deer management zone for which they applied. These permits are available in five of the seven management zones. Zone 3, in the Parrsboro-Cape Chignecto area, and Zone 7, which takes in all of the Cape Breton Highlands and surrounding coastal areas, remain closed to hunting of all but adult or antlered male or buck deer. The bag limit for deer remains at one, and people hunting during the special open season for bow hunting must have the stamp to hunt antlerless deer.
The application line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To apply, call 1-900-565-DEER (3337). It costs $6, plus HST, to apply over the telephone. That cost is automatically billed to the telephone number. When applying, hunters must have their Nova Scotia Firearms or Bow Hunting Certificate and know which deer management zone they want to hunt in.
More information, including zone maps, is available at any Department of Natural Resources office, or where hunting and angling licenses are sold.
Results of the draw will be available from Sept. 11 to Sept. 15 by calling 902-493-1412, or the toll free line at 1-877-535-1234. Results will also be available on the Internet at www.deerdraw.hmcgroup.ca until the end of hunting season.
Nova Scotia hunters have an excellent safety record, noted Mr. Fage, and he encourages everyone to keep safety as their priority when hunting.