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Young Nova Scotians will have more opportunities to hunt for deer, as a result of recent changes to regulations under the Nova Scotia Wildlife Act.
Changes to the general wildlife regulations will extend the youth deer hunt, which was introduced last year, from two to eight days. Hunters who are 16 or 17 years of age, have completed the appropriate safety training, are accompanied by a qualified adult, and have a deer hunting license, are eligible to participate.
Amendments also mean that hunters will no longer be able to possess or use scents which contain natural fluids from deer. The scents, which are used to attract deer, are being banned to help prevent the introduction of chronic wasting disease, which does not currently exist in Nova Scotia.
The changes are among a number of amendments made to various regulations under the Wildlife Act. Others include changes to:
- -- allow only body-gripping traps -- which have been certified as humane in accordance with the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards between the European Community, Canada and the Russian Federation -- for raccoon, fisher, beaver and muskrat;
- -- allow the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters to use four moose licences for a fund-raising draw available to residents and non-residents;
- -- amend the firearm and bow regulations to permit the use of a .17 calibre rimfire rifle in situations where only a .22 calibre rimfire was previously permitted;
- -- increase the time period for having licenses suspended for serious infractions under the Wildlife Act.
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