Antlerless Deer Hunt and Draw Announced

Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill announced today that Nova Scotians will be permitted to hunt antlerless deer this fall through a limited entry hunt.

"Thanks to sound management practices employed by the Department of Natural Resources, we can now allow hunters to take antlerless deer," said Mr. MacAskill. "The herd size has increased 59 per cent to 67,000, compared with approximately 42,000 in the spring of 1995."

Deer management zones were introduced last year to enable department staff to manage the deer herd regionally. Five of the seven are open to hunting antlerless deer this year. Zones 3 and 7 remain closed for 1998 because deer numbers remain low, and the zones will benefit from another year of protection for does and fawns.

"This new management approach will help ensure a healthy and more stable deer herd," Mr. MacAskill said.

The minister also launched the province's new antlerless deer draw program, a first for Nova Scotia.

There are 8,150 antlerless deer stamps available for the 1998 hunting season. The minister will set the number of stamps for each zone annually. These stamps will be distributed through a computerized, random-draw system. Target Call Centre of Halifax was the successful bidder and will operate this program on behalf of the province.

To enter the draw, anyone eligible to hold a Nova Scotia resident deer-hunting licence for the 1998 fall hunting season may call 1-900-565-DEER (3337). A non-refundable application fee of $6 plus HST will be charged to the bill of the phone used to make the call. Individuals can apply only once. The application line opens Saturday, June 20, at 7 a.m. and runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week until midnight Friday, Sept. 4. Information is available where hunting and fishing licences are sold.

The bag limit remains at one deer per hunter. Those who win a stamp can hunt antlered bucks throughout the province and antlerless deer only in the zone indicated on their stamp.

"This is an additional opportunity for hunters," Mr. MacAskill said. "But those who don't win a stamp or don't apply can still hunt antlered bucks throughout the province."

Tony Nette, of the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division, said the new antlerless deer hunt is a management tool that will be carefully controlled. It offers easy annual adjustments to areas.

"After five years of a buck law,' we have seen a significant increase in herd size," he said. "The recent mild winters and drop in coyote numbers have also speeded up the recovery process."

Biological information indicates the deer herd is made up of a high number of young, productive animals. Herd size has grown and is in excellent condition.

"Complaints of deer in gardens and crops have increased in recent years," said Mr. Nette. "And in 1997, there were more than 2,000 reports of deer hit by motor vehicles."

Stamps will be mailed to all winners. A toll-free results line will operate from Sept. 12 to 16 at 1-877-535-1234, or in the Halifax area, 493-1412. For those with Internet access, information on the program and results will be available at www.deerdraw.hmcgroup.ca .