News release

Applications for 2013 Moose Hunt Now Open

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Moose hunters in Nova Scotia will have additional choices for hunting times in the non-motorized moose hunt in the Polletts Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness area of Cape Breton, with the addition of two new one-week seasons in late October and early November.

"Moose hunting in Cape Breton is popular and allows for good management of the moose population," said Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker. "The annual moose draw provides a simple, fair way to manage the number of selected hunters per zone."

Every year hunters have an opportunity to apply for a chance to harvest a Cape Breton moose by submitting applications for the annual moose hunting licence lottery. Selected hunters can participate in one of seven hunting seasons.

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

Last year about 11,000 applicants entered the draw. A total of 345 licences will be available again this year. Hunters applying for the draw must pick the zone and season they want to hunt in before they apply.

There are two types of moose hunting available. Hunting using motorized vehicles to access and remove moose will be permitted in seasons one and two, in zones one to four and in season seven, in zone one. A non-motorized moose hunt is available in seasons one to six, in zone five. Motorized vehicles are prohibited in zone five.

Hunters can apply to either or both hunts. If one name is drawn for both, the hunter must choose one.

The hunting zones are described online at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/moosedraw.

The first six moose hunting seasons will run consecutively, Monday to Saturday, beginning Sept. 30. The seventh season will take place Dec. 10-12.

The Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications. The deadline is Friday, May 31 at midnight. For $7.83, plus HST, people can apply online at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/moosedraw.

Hunters can also apply by calling 1-900-565-3337. They must have their Wildlife Resources Card number available and call from a landline, not a cellphone. The application fee will be charged to the phone.

Applications can also be made by mail with a fee of $13.05, HST included, to Moose Draw, Wildlife Division, Department of Natural Resources, 136 Exhibition St., Kentville, N.S., B4N 4E5.

The draw will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre and may also be viewed by live webcast via the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters website www.nsfah.ca.

Winners will be notified by mail and their names will be announced at the draw. Applicants can also check draw results online or by calling a local Department of Natural Resources office.

More information on the moose hunt is available at Department of Natural Resources offices and online at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/moosedraw/.