I am pleased to share the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s game and fur management plan for the upcoming season. The 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Guide includes summaries of dates, regulations, quotas and other valuable information designed to guide your participation in the upcoming season.
I am happy to report that current population trends for most of our game and furbearer species are stable, and harvest quotas require only minimal changes for the 2025-26 season.
Several important changes designed to support increased hunting and trapping opportunities for the island of Newfoundland will be in effect this fall, including:
- Extending the season of Caribou Management Areas 71 and 80.
- Extending the fall black bear season to November 30 and improving access to opportunities by amalgamating management areas into regional areas.
- Adding a Trapper’s Beaver Licence outside of the Trapline System.
- Break-away devices on neck snares used for trapping furbearers will become mandatory for all trappers on the island of Newfoundland.
We continue to focus on the status of caribou populations throughout the province. While harvest quotas have not changed significantly for caribou on the island of Newfoundland, the George River Caribou Herd and Boreal Caribou populations in Labrador remain closed due to their conservation status and limited recovery.
It is heartening to see that hunting and trapping remain near and dear to the hearts of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Along with the essential contribution hunting and trapping make to food self-sufficiency, these traditional outdoor pursuits have a tremendous impact on our mental and physical well-being. The continued cultural importance of these activities serves as a reminder of who we are, and the value we place on our shared natural resources.
Wildlife management is a collaborative effort. Wildlife professionals rely on the practices of hunting and trapping to help regulate wildlife populations. These activities, carefully managed, help mitigate habitat degradation, wildlife competition, and conflict with humans.
We monitor the health and status of the province’s wildlife by establishing and maintaining research and management protocols, and analyzing the valuable information provided by hunters and trappers through jawbone submissions, hunter returns, carcass collections and other research programs.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the hunters and trappers who share this important information with us every season and encourage all hunter and trappers to participate in wildlife management.
I am also grateful to the many rod and gun clubs, non-government organizations, local businesses and volunteers who encourage and promote safe and responsible outdoor activities for youth and adults. Programs and opportunities that encourage responsible participation in hunting and trapping activities are vital to the management and conservation of our wildlife resources, and your work is deeply appreciated.
The Provincial Government’s wildlife staff, resource enforcement officers and regional services teams are steadfast in their commitment to conserve and protect our wildlife resources and raise awareness of our shared responsibilities and values for wildlife and biodiversity in our great province. Their work to promote safe, knowledgeable and responsible hunting and safety practices is crucial, and I thank them for it.
I wish you all a safe and successful hunting and trapping season.
Sincerely,
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture