Cape Breton Annual Moose Hunt Applications

With another successful moose hunting season completed, applications are about to be accepted for the 2008 annual moose draw lottery.

Last year, more than 10,000 applicants entered the draw vying for one of the 345 licences.

"Warm weather made moose hunting a bit more challenging last fall," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "Three-hundred-forty-five hunters received a licence and 264 moose were harvested, giving us an overall success rate of 76 per cent."

This year, another 345 licences will be offered. Demand has remained high since the hunt was reinstated in 1986.

Each year, hunters must pick a zone and one of three seasons in which to hunt. The first season is Sept. 29 to Oct. 4. The second season is Oct. 6 to Oct. 11. The third season, which is limited to zone one only, is Dec. 9 to Dec. 11.

Prospective hunters should carefully consider which hunt and zone they apply for. Terrain, access, available guiding services and abundance of moose differ considerably from one moose-management zone to another. Even weather conditions can vary between the northern and southerly zones.

There are four moose-management zones within Victoria and Inverness counties -- the only counties in the province where moose hunting is permitted.

The application period will be from April 1 to May 31. Applicants can call 1-900-565-3337 or e-mail their application form to Moose Draw, Wildlife Division, 136 Exhibition St., Kentville, N.S., B4N 4E5. They must have a Wildlife Resources Card to enter the draw.

The draw will begin at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter's Lions Hall, 39 Lions Ave., St. Peter's, Richmond County on Tuesday, June 17.

This will be the only occasion when winners will be publicly announced. Winners will also be notified by mail. Shortly after the draw, applicants can use their wildlife resource card number to check their individual draw results on-line or by calling their local Department of Natural Resources office.

Detailed information on the Cape Breton moose hunt is available at local Department of Natural Resources offices and on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/moosedraw/ .