This is an official version.

Copyright 2025: King's Printer,

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Important Information

(Includes details about the availability of printed and electronic versions of the Statutes.)

Table of Regulations

Main Site

How current is this regulation?

NEWFOUNDLAND AND

LABRADOR

REGULATION 76/25

Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2025-2026

under the

Wild Life

Regulations

and the

Wild Life Act

Amended:

95/25

NEWFOUNDLAND AND

LABRADOR

REGULATION 76/25

Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2025-2026

under the

Wild Life

Regulations

and the

Wild Life Act

(Filed August 7, 2025)

Under the authority of sections 16, 25, 38, 39, 73, 81.2 and 114 of the Wild Life

Regulations

and the Wild Life Act , I make the following Order.

Dated at St. Johns, August 6, 2025.

Jamie Chippett

Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

ORDER

Analysis

Short title

Definition

Generally

PART I

FUR BEARING ANIMALS

Fur bearing animals Labrador

Fur bearing animals Newfoundland

PART II

BIG GAME

Black bear Labrador

Black bear Newfoundland

Caribou Labrador

Caribou Newfoundland

Moose Labrador

Moose Newfoundland

Polar bears Labrador

PART III

SMALL GAME

Small game Labrador

Small game Newfoundland

PART IV

COYOTE

Coyote Newfoundland and Labrador

Coyote Labrador

Coyote Newfoundland

Repeal

Short title

This Order may be cited as the Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2025-2026.

76/25 s1

Back to Top

Definition

In this Order, "regulations" means the Wild Life

Regulations .

76/25 s2

Back to Top

Generally

A person shall not hunt, take or kill fur bearing animals, big game, small game or coyotes at any time unless

(

a) the person holds a valid licence for the species being hunted;

(

b) the person holds a valid licence for the area in which the person is hunting; and

(

c) it is during the open season prescribed in this Order for the species and the area.

76/25 s3

PART I

FUR BEARING ANIMALS

Back to Top

Fur bearing animals Labrador

(1) In this section, "fur management zone" means the fur management zones described in

Schedule B of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

(2) The open season for the trapping and shooting of fur bearing animals and coyotes in Labrador in the following fur management zones shall be:

(

a) Labrador North Fur Zone:

Beaver

October 15, 2025

to May 31, 2026

Coyote

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Ermine, weasel

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Fox, coloured

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Fox, white

October 15, 2025

to May 31, 2026

Lynx

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Marten

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Mink

November 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Muskrat

October 5, 2025

to May 31, 2026

Otter

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Squirrel

October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Wolf

October 15, 2025

to April 30, 2026

(

b) Labrador South Fur Zone:

Beaver

October 15, 2025

to May 31, 2026

Coyote

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Ermine, weasel

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Fox, coloured

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Fox, white

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Lynx

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Marten

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Mink

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Muskrat

October 15, 2025

to May 31, 2026

Otter

October 15, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Squirrel

November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026

Wolf

November 1, 2025

to April 30, 2026

(3) The open season for the shooting of wolf in

Labrador under a wolf shooting licence issued under

section 15 of the regulations shall be

(

a) October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026 in the Labrador North Fur Zone; and

(

b) November 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026 in the Labrador South Fur Zone.

(4) A person who takes a wolf shall surrender the lower jawbone or complete skull of each wolf taken to the office specified by the Wildlife Division by May 15, 2026.

76/25 s4

Back to Top

Fur bearing animals Newfoundland

(1) In this section, "fur management area" means the fur management areas described in

Schedule A of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

(2) The open season for the trapping and shooting of the following fur bearing animals and coyotes on the Island of Newfoundland in all fur management areas shall be:

Beaver

October 20, 2025

to April 15, 2026

Coyote

October 20, 2025

to February 1, 2026

Ermine, weasel

October 20, 2025

to February 28, 2026

Fox, coloured

October 20, 2025

to February 1, 2026

Fox, white

October 20, 2025

to February 1, 2026

Mink

November 1, 2025

to February 28, 2026

Muskrat

October 20, 2025

to March 15, 2026

Otter

October 20, 2025

to March 15, 2026

Squirrel

October 20, 2025

to February 28, 2026

Wolf

October 20, 2025

to February 1, 2026

(3) The open season for the trapping and shooting of lynx on the Island of Newfoundland in the following fur management areas shall be:

(

a) January 1,

to February 1,

2026 in the Lynx Zone A: Northern Region (Open); and

(

b) January 15,

to February 1,

2026 in the Lynx Zone B: Southern Region.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), there shall be no open season for the trapping and shooting of lynx in

(

a) Brunette Island, Fortune Bay; and

(

b) Great Southern Harbour.

(5) A person who takes a lynx shall register it with the office specified by the Wildlife Division for tagging before the close of business hours on February 10,

2026 .

(6) The open season for the shooting of wolf on the Island of Newfoundland under a wolf shooting licence issued under

section 15 of the regulations shall be October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026.

(7) A person who takes a wolf shall surrender the lower jawbone or complete skull of each wolf taken to the office specified by the Wildlife Division by May 15, 2026.

76/25 s5

PART II

BIG GAME

Back to Top

Black bear Labrador

The open season for the trapping and shooting of black bear in Labrador, excluding Torngat Mountains National Park and Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, shall be August 10, 2025

to November 30, 2025 and April 1, 2026 to July 13, 2026.

76/25 s6

Back to Top

Black bear Newfoundland

(1)In this section, "black bear management area" means the black bear management areas described in

Schedule A of the Black Bear Hunting and Trapping Order, Newfoundland and Labrador .

(2) The open season for the trapping and shooting of black bear on the Island of Newfoundland in all black bear management areas shall be September 13, 2025

to November 30, 2025 and May 1, 2026 to July 15, 2026.

(3) The open season for the shooting of black bear on the Island of Newfoundland in all black bear management areas by long bow or compound bow and arrow shall be August 30, 2025

to September 12, 2025.

76/25 s7 ; 95/25 s1

Back to Top

Caribou Labrador

For the purpose of

conservation, there shall be no open season in Labrador for the hunting of caribou.

76/25 s8

Back to Top

Caribou Newfoundland

(1)In this section, "caribou management area" means the caribou management areas described in the

Schedule to the Caribou Hunting Order, Newfoundland .

(2) The open season for the shooting of caribou on the Island of Newfoundland in the following caribou management areas shall be:

Area No.

Season Dates

September 13, 2025

to December 7, 2025

September 13, 2025

to December 7, 2025

September 13, 2025

to December 7, 2025

66 to 68

September 13, 2025

to December 7, 2025

September 13, 2025

to October 5, 2025

September 13, 2025

to November 30, 2025

September 13, 2025

to October 12, 2025

76 to 79

September 13, 2025

to December 7, 2025

September 13, 2025

to November 30, 2025

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the open season for the shooting of caribou on the Island of Newfoundland by long bow or compound bow and arrow in the caribou management areas listed in subsection (2), except caribou management areas 70, 71, 72 and 80, shall be August 30, 2025

to September 12, 2025.

76/25 s9 ; 95/25 s2

Back to Top

Moose Labrador

(1)In this section, "moose management area" means the moose management areas described in

Schedule B of the Moose Hunting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador .

(2) The open season for the shooting of moose in Labrador in all moose management areas shall be September 13, 2025

to March 8, 2026.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the open season for the shooting of moose in Labrador by long bow or compound bow and arrow in all moose management areas shall be August 30, 2025

to September 12, 2025.

76/25 s10

Back to Top

Moose Newfoundland

(1)In this section, "moose management area" means the moose management areas described in

Schedule A of the Moose Hunting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador .

(2) The open season for the shooting of moose on the Island of Newfoundland in all moose management areas shall be September 13, 2025

to December 31, 2025.

(3) The open season for the shooting of moose on the Island of Newfoundland by long bow or compound bow and arrow in all moose management areas shall be August 30, 2025

to September 12, 2025.

(4) Notwithstanding anything in this section, there shall be no open season for the shooting of moose in moose management area 43 for moose that are predominately white in colour.

76/25 s11

Back to Top

Polar bears Labrador

The open season for the shooting of polar bear in Labrador in the area from Fish Cove Point in Groswater

Bay to Cape Chidley shall be February 1, 2026

to June 30, 2026.

76/25 s12

PART III

SMALL GAME

Back to Top

Small game Labrador

(1)The open season for the shooting of the following small game in Labrador shall be:

Arctic hare

October 1, 2025

to April 20, 2026

Snowshoe hare

October 1, 2025

to April 20, 2026

Ptarmigan

October 1, 2025

to April 20, 2026

Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse

October 1, 2025

to April 20, 2026

Porcupine

October 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Red squirrel

October 1, 2025

to April 20, 2026

(2) T he open season for the snaring of the following small game in Labrador shall be:

Arctic hare

October 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Snowshoe hare

October 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Ptarmigan

October 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026

Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse

October 1, 2025

to March 31, 2026

76/25 s13

Small game Newfoundland

(1) In this section, "small game management area" means the small game management areas described in the

Schedule to the Small Game Hunting and Snaring Order, Newfoundland and Labrador .

(2) The open season for the shooting of snowshoe hare on the Island of Newfoundland shall be

(

a) October 4, 2025

to December 28, 2025 on Great Island;

(

b) October 4, 2025

to November 2, 2025 on Little Bay Islands; and

(

c) October 4, 2025

to March 8, 2026 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland except Bell Island in Conception Bay.

(3) The open season for the shooting of ptarmigan on the Island of Newfoundland in the following small game management areas shall be:

(

a) September 20, 2025

to November 9, 2025 in the Burin Area and the Avalon/Swift Current Area;

(

b) September 20, 2025

to November 16, 2025 in the Topsails Area; and

(

c) September 20, 2025

to December 7, 2025 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland and the islands adjacent to the Island of Newfoundland.

(4) The open season for the shooting of ruffed grouse and spruce grouse on the Island of Newfoundland shall be September 20, 2025

to December 28, 2025.

(5) The open season for the shooting of red squirrel on the Island of Newfoundland shall be

(

a) October 4, 2025

to December 28, 2025 on Great Island;

(

b) October 4, 2025

to November 2, 2025 on Little Bay Islands; and

(

c) October 4, 2025

to March 8, 2026 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland except Bell Island in Conception Bay.

(6) The open season for the snaring of snowshoe hare on the Island of Newfoundland shall be

(

a) October 4, 2025

to December 28, 2025 on Great Island;

(

b) October 4, 2025

to November 2, 2025 on Little Bay Islands; and

(

c) October 4, 2025

to March 8, 2026 on the remainder of the Island of Newfoundland except Bell Island in Conception Bay, Glover Island in Grand Lake and the following small game management areas:

(

i) the Pine Marten Study Area,

(ii)

the Main River Study Area,

(iii)

the Little Grand Lake Wild Life

Reserve, and

(iv)

the Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve.

(7) The open season for the snaring of ptarmigan on the Island of Newfoundland shall be October 4, 2025

to March 8, 2026 except Bell Island in Conception Bay, Glover Island in Grand Lake and the following small game management areas:

(

a) the Pine Marten Study Area;

(

b) the Burin Area;

(

c) the Main River Study Area;

(

d) the Little Grand Lake Wild Life

Reserve; and

(

e) the Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve.

(8) The open season for the snaring of ruffed grouse and spruce grouse on the Island of Newfoundland shall be October 4, 2025

to March 8, 2026 except Bell Island in Conception Bay, Glover Island in Grand Lake and the following small game management areas:

(

a) the Pine Marten Study Area;

(

b) the Main River Study Area;

(

c) the Little Grand Lake Wild Life

Reserve; and

(

d) the Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve.

(9) Notwithstanding anything in this section, there is no open season for the shooting or snaring of small game on

(

a) Kelly's Island in

Conception Bay ; and

(

b) Brunette Island in Fortune Bay.

76/25 s14 ; 95/25 s3

PART IV

COYOTE

Back to Top

Coyote Newfoundland and Labrador

The open season for the shooting of coyote on the Island of Newfoundland and in Labrador under a coyote shooting licence shall be September 13, 2025

to July 15, 2026.

76/25 s15

Back to Top

Coyote Labrador

(1) In this section, "fur management zone" means the fur management zones described in

Schedule B of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador.

(2) The open season for the trapping and shooting of coyote in Labrador in the following fur management zones shall be:

(

a) October 15, 2025

to March 31, 2026 in the Labrador North Fur Zone; and

(

b) November 1, 2025

to March 20, 2026 in the Labrador South Fur Zone.

76/25 s16

Back to Top

Coyote Newfoundland

(1) In this section, "fur management area" means the fur management areas described in

Schedule A of the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador .

(2) The open season for the trapping and shooting of coyote on the Island of Newfoundland in all fur management areas shall be October 20, 2025

to February 1, 2026.

76/25 s17

Back to Top

Repeal

The Open Seasons Hunting and Trapping Order, 2024-2025

, Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 55/24, is repealed.

76/25 s18

King's Printer