Significant Changes for the 2010 Hunting & Furharvesting Seasons

Significant Changes for 2010 - Hunting

1. Use of crossbows by certified hunters is legal for hunting all species that may be harvested with a bow or firearm except during the Special Open Seasons for Bowhunting.
2. Deer Management Zones 102, 105, and 107 are open to either antlered or antlerless deer. Antlerless Deer Hunting
   Stamps are, therefore, not required in those Zones
3. Bonus Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamps will be available this year for use in Deer Management Zone 102
4. The Department of Natural Resources has extended the validity of the Wildlife Resources Card. If your card expiry date is between December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2012, you are not required to renew your card until at least December 2012.
5. The use of .410 slugs and buckshot are now legal to hunt big game. For other changes related to weapons and
   ammunition please see page 87.
6. Deer Management Zone boundaries have been changed to be more reflective of eco-regions and better accommodate hunting where opportunities exist. This has resulted in 12 Deer Management Zones. To avoid confusion with old boundaries, the zone names have been changed to three digit numbers. Please see Zone descriptions on page 62 for further information.
7. The bag limit for bear snaring has been increased from one to two.
8. Bear bait sites no longer have to be registered with the Department of Natural Resources
   
9. A new moose hunting opportunity will be offered this fall in the form of a transition hunt. This hunt will be held in
   Zone 5 (Pollets Cove Aspy Fault Wilderness Area). This is a non motorized hunt which is expected to be physically
   demanding. For more information see page 80.
   
   

Furharvesting

1. For the most up to date list of approved body gripping traps please check the Department of Natural Resources
   Fur Harvesting Regulations website at www.gov.ns.ca/just/regulations/regs/wifurhrv.htm or contact your local DNR office.
2. A pelt incentive of $20 will be paid to Furharvesters for coyote pelts which are exported for sale. See page 29
   for more information
3. We are requesting a voluntary collection of coyote carcasses from furharvesters.
4. We are requiring that all otter pelts be stamped and the carcasses turned into your local DNR office.
   

Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

1. An early September Canada goose season has been introduced in Nova Scotia (all zones). This season is
   restricted to farmland (land which is being used for crop production or animal husbandry). Hunters should check
   the regulations for more details.
2. Bag and possesion limits for Scoters has been reduced to four birds in the daily bag and eight birds in possesion.
   3. Additional seasons for ducks have been amalgamated into one “additional season” with consistent season dates by zone.
   

NOTE: The Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations Summary details for Nova Scotia can be obtained at your local
Canada Post office, or on line http://www.ec.gc.ca/rcommbhr/ default.asp?lang=en&n=BA8069D0-1

 

For more information on the Significant Changes, please refer to the 2010 Nova Scotia Hunting & Furharvesting Licence & Summary of Regulations.