News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Applications are being accepted for this year's antlerless deer draw.

"Due to the severity of last winter and the resulting losses in the deer herd, the number of permits available for antlerless deer hunters is being reduced by about 20 per cent compared to last fall's hunt,'' said Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud. "Reducing the permits allows for more breeding, which helps grow the deer population."

There will be 2,700 antlerless deer permits available this year compared to 3,450 in 2013.

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

New Brunswick residents who wish to hunt antlerless deer must first purchase their 2014 deer hunting licence at a private vendor or Service New Brunswick location. Application cards for the antlerless deer draw are attached to the licence. The cost to apply is $4.52.

Applications can be submitted:

●    in person to a Service New Brunswick centre; or
●    sent by mail to: Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Branch, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5H1, on or before 5 p.m., July 19. A cheque or money order made out to the Minister of Finance in the amount of $4.52 must be included.

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

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

Results of the draw will be available the week of Aug. 18. 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 only apply to hunt for antlerless deer in one zone.

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

For further regulatory details, refer to the 2014 Hunt and Trap summary of regulations.

The following is a list of wildlife management zones (WMZ) and the 2014 quota of antlerless permits allocated in each:

●    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 - 50;
●    WMZ 17 - 50;
●    WMZ 18 - 50;
●    WMZ 19 - 0 (bucks only);
●    WMZ 20 - 100;
●    WMZ 21 - 100;
●    WMZ 22 - 1,000;
●    WMZ 23 - 800;
●    WMZ 24 - 50;
●    WMZ 25 - 0 (bucks only);
●    WMZ 26 - 50; and
●    WMZ 27 - 450.