News release

Deer Hunting Season Begins

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Many of the province's nearly 80,000 eligible hunters are looking forward to getting away from it all, spending time in the wilderness and bringing home meat for their family and friends. Nova Scotia's deer hunting season begins Friday, Oct. 26.

"We have had many successful deer-hunting seasons and with the proper safety precautions, I'm sure this year will be no exception," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "We'd like to remind everyone, including non-hunters, to wear hunter orange when in the woods."

The five-week season excludes Sundays and runs until Dec. 1. All hunters have a limit of one deer and are allowed to hunt antlered deer. Only the 5,750 people who received a doe tag can take antlerless deer.

"Hunting is a necessary part of maintaining a stable deer population and the department has a relationship with the hunting community that continues to develop with each season," said Mr. Morse.

Last year, many hunters donated meat to Nova Scotia's food banks through the Hunters Help the Hungry program. Again this year, those who enjoy hunting mainly for sport, have an abundance of meat, or would just like to participate can bring a deer to one of 17 participating meat cutters and donate a portion of the meat. Hunters are able to make a big difference to families in need.

This year, hunters are also being reminded about a new regulation designed to prevent the introduction of chronic wasting disease in Nova Scotia. Deer in areas of western Canada and the United States have been greatly affected, but to date, Nova Scotia has been fortunate with no cases of the devastating disease. To prevent the disease being transferred through bodily fluids, a regulation is now in place to restrict many deer scents used to attract the animal. While in a wildlife habitat, no person may possess or use a product that contains any body part or fluid of a member of the deer family.

"We recognize that hunting is a valued part of Nova Scotia's heritage. We'd like to continue this tradition and wish you a safe and enjoyable hunting season."

Information on the 2007 draw can be found where hunting and angling licences are sold, or on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/hunt .