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The application period for New Brunswick residents to apply for the antlerless deer draw began Monday, June 15, Natural Resources Minister Wally Stiles said.
"The number of permits available for antlerless deer hunters will be slightly lower this year than last," said Stiles. "This is being done to ensure our deer population is maintained and protected."
Quotas for antlerless deer licences are based on scientific evidence gathered by the Department of Natural Resources.
Big game biologists and wildlife managers make recommendations to ensure populations of antlerless deer are managed responsibly. The harsh winter and snow levels were significant reasons behind this year's reduced quotas.
In wildlife management zones 1 and 2, the 2009 archery deer hunting season begins Monday, Oct. 5, and ends Sunday, Nov. 8, while the deer rifle hunt begins Monday, Oct. 26, and ends Sunday, Nov. 8.
In wildlife management zones 6 through 8 and 10 through 27, the archery deer hunting season begins Monday, Oct. 5, and ends on Saturday, Nov. 21, while the rifle deer hunt begins Monday, Oct. 26, and ends Saturday, Nov. 21.
There will be 4,750 antlerless deer permits available this year, a decrease of 250 permits compared to 2008.
New Brunswick residents who want to hunt antlerless deer must purchase their 2009 deer hunting licence before they can apply for an antlerless deer permit.
Applications must be received at a Department of Natural Resources office or a Service New Brunswick (SNB) centre by 5 p.m., Friday, July 17.
First-time hunters, persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1981, and bow hunters must meet specific hunter education training requirements to be eligible to purchase their deer or other hunting licence. They should contact the nearest department office for details on course requirements and availability.
Licences, applications, booklets describing wildlife management zones and deer hunter fact sheets are available at all department offices, SNB centres and licence vendors. Application information is also available online.
The random computerized draw for antlerless deer permits will be held in late summer. Successful applicants will receive a validation sticker in the mail prior to Oct. 1.
Successful two-digit licence number combinations will also be printed in local newspapers and available on the department website in late September.
A specific number of permits is available for each wildlife management zone where hunting is permitted and New Brunswick residents may apply to hunt for antlerless deer in one of those zones.
Deer hunting season remains closed in zones 3, 4, 5, and 9, while hunters are allowed to harvest only deer with visible antlers (bucks only) in zones 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19 and 25.
For further details, refer to the 2009 Hunt and Trap summary of regulations.
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