1999 Antlerless Deer Hunting Season

Nova Scotians will be allowed to hunt antlerless deer again this fall.

Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill said the hunt, introduced last year, is being permitted again because the herd is healthy and continues to grow in most areas of the province.

"Over the past few years, the herd size has increased substantially because of good management practices and mild winters."

There are 17,100 stamps available for this year's hunt, more than double the number of permits issued in 1998. The bag limit remains at one deer per hunter.

Seven deer management zones were established two years ago so the herd could be managed regionally. The antlerless deer hunt is being allowed in five of those zones, and the minister has allocated a certain number of stamps for each zone.

Because of low deer numbers, there will be no antlerless deer hunting permitted in zones three and seven again this year. It is hoped the herds will increase in those areas as a result of continued protection.

Anyone eligible to have a Nova Scotia resident deer hunting licence for the 1999 fall hunting season can enter the draw by calling 1-900-565-DEER (3337). The telephone lines open at 7 a.m., June 19, and close at 11:59 p.m., Sept. 3. It costs $6.00, plus HST to apply over the telephone. That cost is automatically billed to the telephone number used to apply.

Before calling, applicants must know which deer management zone they are applying for. They must also have their Nova Scotia firearms hunting or bow hunting certificate number when applying.

There will be a computerized, random draw of names Sept. 7. Stamps will be mailed to the winners.

Detailed information on the program can be found where hunting and angling licences are sold.