Antlerless Deer Draw Application Line Opens

Hunters can apply for a stamp to hunt antlerless deer this fall in Nova Scotia. Telephone applications will be accepted beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 16.

Hunters can call 1-900-565-DEER (3337) any day of the week, 24 hours a day, to apply for a stamp. The line will remain open until midnight on Friday, Sept. 2. A non-refundable application fee of $6.90 will be charged to the telephone bill of the phone that is being used.

This year, 5,000 permits are available to qualified resident Nova Scotians for the hunt, which is the lowest number of permits issued since the deer management zone system was implemented in 1998.

"Our principal concern is to preserve the province's deer population and still provide Nova Scotia's hunters with opportunities for a first-class hunting experience," said Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. "Severe winter conditions and deep snow in recent years have caused declining deer numbers which, in turn, requires a reduced number of permits."

"Our use of the zone system allows us to adjust the number of hunting permits based on the deer population in different areas of the province," said Mr. Hurlburt. "For example, the number of permits available in zone 2A have been increased for the third successive year to help reduce the high number of deer in the Bridgewater-Lunenburg area."

The science-based approach helps to maintain a more stable deer population regionally in Nova Scotia.

Permits are being offered for four of the eight deer management zones. Because of low deer numbers, no antlerless hunting permits will be available for zones 3, 5, 6 and 7. The regulation summary booklet provides more detailed information on zone locations.

Licensed deer hunters are permitted to hunt antlered bucks throughout the province where hunting is permitted. Antlered bucks are defined as having antlers with a minimum length of 7.62 centimetres (three inches).

A computerized random draw will take place after Sept. 2. Successful applicants will be notified by mail during the week of Sept. 5. Draw results will be available on the Department of Natural Resources website beginning Sept. 6, or by calling 1-877-535-1234, or 493-1412 in the Halifax area, between Sept. 11 and Sept. 16.

Hunters must hold a valid Firearm or Bow Hunting Certificate, or the new Wildlife Resources Card which replaces these certificates. Hunters should have the certificate or card on hand when calling to apply for a stamp.

Detailed information on the antlerless deer draw can be found where hunting and angling licences are sold, or on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/deerdraw .

NOTE: Below is a comparative list of available antlerless deer stamps for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Deer Management Zone Stamps 2003 Stamps 2004 Stamps 2005 1 500 500 500 2 2,000 2,000 1,500 2A 500 750 1,000 3 0 0 0 4 4,000 2,000 2,000 5 500 0 0 6 0 0 0 7 0 0 0

Total 7,500 5,250 5,000