Shrinking N.L. caribou herd leads to tougher hunting restrictions
Thanks Tim for this insight. Here is from a press article dated September 11, 2010.
Shrinking N.L. caribou herd leads to tougher hunting restrictions
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Newfoundland and Labrador government has brought in tough restrictions on caribou hunting in light of a serious decline in the size of the George River herd in Labrador.
A recently completed census has put the size of the herd at about 74,000 animals, down from 385,000 in 2001 and 776,000 in 1993.
Environment and Conservation Minister Charlene Johnson said Tuesday that the "current liberal hunting regulations are not sustainable" and the census illustrates the need for immediate conservation measures.
Effective immediately, the commercial caribou hunt, non-resident caribou hunting via the use of outfitters, and the resident caribou licence transfer system for Labrador residents will be suspended.
The licence transfer system allowed for any Labrador resident to transfer their licence to kill two caribou to any resident qualified to hold a big game licence.
Additionally, the allowable limit will be reduced to one caribou per licensed hunter from the current limit of two.
The province said it will also establish a committee to review whether additional conservation measures may be required in the future.
Source: The Canadian Press