Prospective moose hunters have less than a day to apply for one of the 345 moose hunting licences. The application deadline is midnight on Saturday, May 31.

"We want to remind hunters of the deadline because the Cape Breton moose hunt is a unique experience that is very popular in the hunting community," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "We have already received about 7,000 entries, and we expect 3,000 to 4,000 more before the deadline."

Last year there were 10,366 applications for the three hunting seasons. Hunters have been very successful in recent years, with 76 per cent getting a moose in 2007.

There are four moose management zones within Victoria and Inverness counties, the only counties in the province where moose hunting is permitted. There are three 2008 hunting seasons. The first season is Sept. 29 to Oct. 4. The second season is Oct. 6 to Oct. 11. The third season, which is limited to zone one only, is Dec. 9 to Dec. 11.

Mr. Morse reminds prospective hunters to carefully consider their choice of one of three hunting seasons and one of four zones.

"Terrain, access, available guiding services and abundance of moose differ considerably from one moose management zone to another. Even the weather can differ considerably from the higher elevation of the northern-most zone to the more southerly zones," said Mr. Morse.

Applicants can call 1-900-565-3337. Applicants who choose not to apply by phone can download and complete a mail-in application. Mail completed applications, with the fee of $10 plus HST ($11.30), to: Moose Draw, HMC Communications Inc., 2829 Agricola St., Halifax, N.S., B3K 4E5. Completed applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 31. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Applicants must have a Wildlife Resources Card to enter the draw.

The draw will begin at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter's Lions Hall, 39 Lions Ave., St. Peter's, Richmond Co., on Tuesday, June 17. This will be the only occasion when winners will be publicly announced. Winners will also be notified by mail shortly after the draw. Applicants can use their wildlife resource card number to check individual draw results online or by calling a local Department of Natural Resources office.

Detailed information on the Cape Breton moose hunt is available at local Department of Natural Resources offices and on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/draws/moosedraw/

The Eastern Canada Forum has 286 Active Topics

• canada bear hunting
• New Brunswick Deer Face Winter Hardships
• Bear down actually Two
• Ontario spring bear hunt
• Ontario MNR Bear Wise Program

Mountain Lion on Fire
No Black Hills mountain lion hunt was more bizarre than the mountain lion that caught fire. David Gray's first lion hunt ended not only with a lion, but also with an unusual story. Gray, a retired South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Office is an avid hunter and has hunted most areas of the Black Hills. He is probably one of the most knowledgeable persons of game animals in the Black Hills. In preparing for his mountain lion hunt, Gray set up a blind in a brushy thicket a few miles north of Custer State Park.