With summer here and the Newfoundland and Labrador hunting season right around the corner, it is time for hunters across the province to start planning their next hunting trip. With phenomenal scenery, untouched wilderness, and a wealth of trophy-sized species, Newfoundland and Labrador is a hunter’s paradise.
In the brand-new 2nd Edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook, being released in the early summer of 2023, hunters will find clearly defined Management Areas on all maps, and an updated and enhanced Hunting Adventures section with detailed information on game species, Moose Management Areas (MMAs), and Caribou Management Areas (CMAs). Each Management Area description includes boundaries, access, hunting tips, noted game species, and more. And, new to this edition, hunting and fishing Outfitters across the province are clearly noted along with contact information and location.
Zoom In on a Target Species
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in game species both large and small. Large game species include the popular moose, caribou, and black bear, while smaller game species include coyote, wolf, snowshoe hare, and waterfowl.
The island of Newfoundland features one of the healthiest and most concentrated moose populations in North America, with some moose weighing up to 545 kg (1,200 lbs) with 130 cm (50 in) spreads. Woodland caribou are the largest of all caribou subspecies in Canada, with males weighing as much as 275 kg (600 lbs). Unfortunately, the last decade has seen a decline in caribou populations, so management areas are closed yearly for longer periods of time. The abundant wetland habitat of Newfoundland and Labrador supports a healthy and diverse waterfowl population, with ducks representing a significant portion of that population.
All this information and more, including tips and tricks for hunting different species, can be found in the new 2nd Edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook.
Stay In Bounds
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador features different management areas for moose, black bear, caribou, small game, and waterfowl areas with one of each type for both the island and the mainland. The island of Newfoundland features 50 moose and black bear management areas and 16 Caribou Management Areas, while the mainland of Labrador is divided into 23 Moose Management Areas and a single Black Bear Management Zone. Both the island of Newfoundland and the mainland of Labrador feature several different regions for small game and waterfowl hunting.
Some of the most popular and productive Moose Management Areas in the province include Area #45 which encompasses Ten Mile Brook, wrapping around the northwestern region of the province along the Strait of Belle Island into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Area #4 around Taylor’s Brook, particularly around the Main River, Adies Pond, and the Upper Humber River, Area #17 around Granite Lake and the Meelpaeg Reservoir, and Area #54 around Grand Lake, which is considered the best moose hunting in Labrador.
There are fewer Caribou Management Areas in Newfoundland and Labrador, and due to a decline in caribou populations over the last decade, many of the CMAs are opened and closed yearly. A popular caribou hunting zone is Area #76 which sits on the extreme northern region of the province around St. Anthony.
There are four Small Game Zones spread out over the island of Newfoundland, and Labrador is split up into two different zones. Waterfowl hunting is split into several different zones on the island of Newfoundland, and four different regions on the mainland of Labrador. Keep in mind that hunting is permitted only outside of 100 metres of the high-water mark, including offshore islands.
All this information on Management Areas and more, including closures and regulations, can be found in the detailed Management Areas section of the new 2nd Edition Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook, making this mapbook the perfect companion for any hunting trip.
Visit a Local Outfitter
Big game licence applications typically close in mid-April for the hunting season that begins in September across the province. Prospective hunters can check out the hunting regulations on gov.nl.ca for more information, but the best way to learn first-hand knowledge is through local outfitters. New to the 2nd Edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook is the Outfitters section, where we provide names, locations, and contact information for hunting and fishing outfitters across the province. These outfitters, along with their experienced staff, will ensure you have the safest and most productive Newfoundland and Labrador hunting experience possible.
Ready to start planning your next Newfoundland and Labrador hunting adventure? Check out the brand-new 2nd Edition of the Newfoundland and Labrador Backroad Mapbook, which is available in both print and digital formats. For hunting information right at your fingertips, be sure to try out our Backroad Maps App or Web Map which can be downloaded onto your smartphone, tablet, or computer. And, of course, make sure you tag us on social media at @backroadmaps or #BRMBLIFE on all your favourite Newfoundland and Labrador hunting adventures.