Big game season opens in most areas of Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow (Saturday, September 14):
- Moose (island): September 14, 2024 – December 31, 2024 (except for national parks)
- Moose (Labrador): September 14, 2024 – March 9, 2025
- Caribou (island): September 14, 2024 – December 1, 2024 (closing dates vary for Caribou Management Areas 70, 71, 72). Note: Caribou hunting is prohibited in Labrador
- Black bear (island): September 14, 2024 – November 10, 2024
- Black bear (Labrador): August 10, 2024 – November 30, 2024
- Coyotes and wolves: September 14, 2024 – July 15, 2025 (coyote, province-wide). Dates for wolf vary by region
- Trapping Seasons and Zones: Dates vary by species and region
- Small game (island): Dates vary by species and region
- Small game (Labrador): Dates vary by species and region
All hunters and trappers must observe firearm regulations and safe practices. Wildlife regulations, hunting season dates, bag limits, safety tips and more are available in the 2024-25 Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Information gathered from hunters and trappers is critical to establishing harvest rates for big game species. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to submit hunter return forms to the Wildlife Division and participate in specimen collection programs for moose, caribou, black bears or coyotes/wolves. License holders from last season who have not already done so can submit 2023-24 hunter return forms to:
Wildlife Division/Licencing
P.O. Box 2007
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 7S1
Email wildlifelicence@gov.nl.ca
Big game jawbones can be dropped off at one of 50 locations across the province. Participating hunters will receive a Cooperating Hunter Crest for supporting big game population research.
New hunters wishing to become eligible for the 2025-26 Big Game Licence Draw must complete the Canadian Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course before November 30, 2024.
Resource Enforcement Officers will be carrying out dedicated hunting and trapping patrols during the season. It is the responsibility of hunters and trappers to be aware of hunting and trapping regulations.
The public plays a crucial role in the stewardship of our natural resources. Anyone with information on any natural resource-related illegal activity is encouraged to call 1-877-820-0999 anonymously or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous reports can also be submitted online at stoppoaching.ca.
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“Hunters and trappers are the stewards of Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife resources and the information they share is essential to the management decisions we make. I encourage all hunters to participate in wildlife management by submitting hunter returns and participating in our various collection programs. Poaching continues to be a major concern in Newfoundland and Labrador, and tips from the public play an important role in investigating and apprehending violators. I encourage you all to be caretakers of our wildlife resources by reporting poaching activities. I wish you a safe and successful hunting season.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
-30-
Learn more
2024-25 Hunting and Trapping Guide
Canadian Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course
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