News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – An additional 550 permits are available for New Brunswickers in this year's antlerless deer draw. Residents may apply until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 20, for the draw.

“New Brunswick's deer population has risen in some areas over the last year because of the mild winter we have had, as well as significant reductions in antlerless deer permits in recent years,” said Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup. “As a result, the Department of Natural Resources is able to increase the quotas in particular zones this year.”

There will be 3,450 antlerless deer permits this year compared to 2,900 in 2011. The increase reflects the growth of the population but is modest enough to ensure more females will be able to breed and thereby contribute to the growth of deer herds.

The department is continuing to foster the growth of the province's deer herd, Northrup said.

“Increases in the number of antlerless deer permits must remain gradual and restricted to zones where the deer population has expanded so that herd growth can be promoted throughout our province,” Northrup said.

Quotas for antlerless deer licences are based upon scientific evidence gathered by department staff. Big game biologists and wildlife managers make recommendations designed to ensure the populations of antlerless deer are managed responsibly.

New Brunswick residents who wish to hunt antlerless deer must buy their 2012 deer hunting licence before they can apply for an antlerless deer permit. Applications must be received at a department office or Service New Brunswick centre.

First-time hunters, persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1981, and bow hunters must meet specific hunter education training requirements to be eligible to purchase their deer or other hunting licence. Course information is available by contacting the nearest department office.

Since Sept. 1, 2011, amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Act have allowed the use of crossbows for all seasons and all species with the exception of deer hunting during the archery-only portion of the deer season. Bowhunters are permitted to hunt other species during this period.

Hunters planning to use a bow or crossbow are required to provide proof they have completed a bowhunter education course or have had a previous bowhunting licence before being issued an antlerless deer licence.

Anyone interested in completing a bowhunter education course can register at their local Department of Natural Resources office. Once the course has been successfully completed, the hunter may visit a department office or Service New Brunswick centre and staff will indicate on the hunter's licence that a bow or crossbow may be used.

Licences, applications, booklets describing wildlife management zones, and deer hunter fact sheets are available at all department offices, Service New Brunswick centres and licence vendors. Application information is online.

The random computerized draw for antlerless deer permits will be held in late summer. Successful applicants will receive a validation sticker in the mail prior to Oct. 1.

A specific number of permits are available for each wildlife management zone where hunting is permitted. New Brunswick residents may apply to hunt for antlerless deer in one zone only.

Deer hunting season remains closed in zones 3, 4, 5, and 9 while hunters are allowed to harvest only deer with visible antlers (bucks only) in zones 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20 and 25.

For further regulatory details, refer to the 2012 Hunt and Trap summary of regulations.

Following is a list of wildlife management zones (WMZ) and the 2012 quota of antlerless permits allocated for each zone:

WMZ 1 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 2 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 3 - deer season closed
WMZ 4 - deer season closed
WMZ 5 - deer season closed
WMZ 6 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 7 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 8 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 9 - deer season closed
WMZ 10 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 11 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 12 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 13 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 14 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 15 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 16 - 100
WMZ 17 - 50
WMZ 18 - 50
WMZ 19 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 20 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 21 - 200
WMZ 22 - 1,500
WMZ 23 - 1,000
WMZ 24 - 50
WMZ 25 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 26 - 50
WMZ 27 - 450

LINK:

●    Department of Natural Resources