Safety, Success Highlight 1997 Hunting Season

With no hunting fatalities and only two minor personal injury accidents, Nova Scotia maintained its excellent hunter safety record in 1997.

"For the fifth consecutive year, there were no hunting fatalities," said Natural Resources Minister Ken MacAskill. "Obviously, safety is very important to Nova Scotia hunters. I commend them for their excellent safety record last year, as well as over the previous four years."

Since a hunter education program became mandatory in Nova Scotia in 1980, the number of accidental shootings and fatalities has decreased by 50 per cent. In 1996, the province recorded a perfect hunter safety record, with no accidental shootings and no fatalities.

Last year was also a successful year for deer hunters, with 9,863 deer bagged during the six-week season in the fall. That figure represents an increase of more than 20 per cent over the number taken in 1996.

Again last season, Lunenburg County reported the highest number of deer bagged at 1,118, with Colchester County second at 1020.

The numbers were up throughout the province except in Inverness County, where 392 deer were taken compared with 435 in the 1996 season.

Nearly 48,000 hunters were issued deer licences for the 1997 season.

"A decision on the status of the buck law will be announced later in the spring, after the annual pellet count has been conducted and after more is known about how this winter has affected the herd," said Mr. MacAskill.

The law restricting the hunt to bucks was introduced in 1993 as a conservation measure. A zone system that would permit limited hunting of antler-less deer may be implemented next season.

Preliminary statistics for the 1997 moose and bear seasons have also been released. During the 12-day moose season in October, 200 licensed hunters bagged 182 moose, compared with 174 in 1996.

A total of 214 bears were taken in 1997, down from the 291 bagged in 1996.

"Wildlife management policies that are scientific and sound have allowed us to maintain bear, deer and moose hunting seasons for many years in Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacAskill. "We are grateful that these policies are respected and supported by hunters, which helps to ensure that our wildlife resources remain sustainable."