The antlerless deer hunting season in Nova Scotia is set to commence with a draw for a total of 6,025 hunting stamps, which will open on Monday, July 6. This season presents an opportunity for hunters to engage in harvesting antlerless deer, aiding in the management of deer populations in the province.
Significantly, the minimum age requirement for participating in deer hunting has been lowered from 16 to 12 years. As a result, youth hunters aged between 12 and 15 can now enter the draw provided they meet all licensing requirements at the time of application. This change aims to encourage younger individuals to take part in outdoor activities and foster a new generation of hunters.
According to a recent release, the purpose of the antlerless deer hunting stamp draw is to help “achieve healthy and balanced deer populations.” The stamps permit hunters to harvest antlerless deer within specific deer management zones. It is important to note that the stamp limits each hunter to a single bag, or one deer, for the entire season. Furthermore, the antlerless deer stamp must be obtained in addition to the existing general deer or archery/muzzleloader stamp.
Antlerless deer stamps will be available in five out of the ten deer management zones located on mainland Nova Scotia, which are 103, 104, 106, 108, and 110. Additionally, in Cape Breton, hunters will have access to stamps in both zones 111 and 112. Conversely, in the other mainland zones—101, 102, 105, 107, and 109—stamps are not necessary as hunters are allowed to harvest deer of either sex without restrictions.
Eligibility requirements for those wishing to enter the stamp draw include:
- Must be a resident of Nova Scotia.
- Must possess a valid Nova Scotia Wildlife Resources Card.
- Must be eligible to obtain a deer hunting licence, which includes having the necessary hunting certification(s) on their HuntNS profile prior to applying, such as Hunter Trained (HT) or Bow Trained (B).
Interested applicants can submit their applications through their HuntNS profile, by calling a toll-free number at 1-833-302-0750, or via mail. Applications sent by mail should be addressed to: Antlerless Deer Draw Application, Citizen Services Division, Business Registration Unit, Box 1529, 6N-1505 Barrington St., Halifax, N.S., B3J 2Y4.
As for the costs associated with applying, the fee is set at $8.04 plus tax for those applying electronically or via phone, while paper applications will incur a fee of $11.70 plus tax. The application period will close on July 31, and the results of the draw are scheduled to be posted online on August 18.
