Deadline for Deer Draw Applications

Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage is reminding people who want to participate in the antlerless deer hunt this fall to apply by midnight Friday, Sept. 1.

Interest has grown steadily in the past few weeks to about 800 applications per day, said Mr. Fage.

"Interest in the draw is high once again, in this the third year of the program," said Mr. Fage. "The number of applications continues to grow as the deadline approaches. As of Aug. 23 almost 21,000 applications had been received."

Last year, a total of 36,540 applications were received for 17,100 stamps, for a draw success rate of 1:2. Because of an increase in deer numbers throughout most of the province 25,000 stamps are available for this fall's deer hunting season, almost 8,000 more than last year.

"The overall hunter success rate in taking deer has steadily increased each year since 1993. Last year the success rate was 28.3 per cent, an increase from 23.8 per cent in 1998," said Tony Nette of the Department of Natural Resources wildlife division. "With deer numbers high, that rate is expected to increase again this year especially for people with an antlerless deer hunting stamp."

Those successful in the computerized, random draw will be allowed to take any deer, regardless of age or sex, within the deer management zone for which they applied. These stamps 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 male or buck deer (antlered). The bag limit remains at one, and people hunting during the special open season for bow hunting must also have a 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 licences are sold.

Results of the draw will be available from Sept. 9-16 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.

Mr. Fage encourages everyone to keep safety their priority when hunting.

The permits available in the deer management zones are:
Zone 1 - 2,500 permits Zone 2 - 6,500 permits Zone 3 - no permits available Zone 4 - 11,000 permits Zone 5 - 2,400 permits Zone 6 - 2,600 permits Zone 7 - no permits available