Information for harvesters

Parks Canada appreciates the assistance of qualified harvesters in maintaining the moose populations in Gros Morne National Park at an ecologically sustainable level. The purpose of the program is to allow the park’s forest to recover from the effects of moose over-browsing.

For 2023-2024, 500 licences are available in Gros Morne National Park as well as additional 75 not-for-profit licences. Licences for Gros Morne National Park will be issued through the existing provincial draw system. If you are interested in helping Parks Canada with the moose reduction program, please fill out your application for the provincial moose licence as normal, indicating your preference for Moose Management Area 2E (Gros Morne National Park). If you are successful in the draw for this area, along with your provincial licence and tags, you will receive a separate package containing your Superintendent’s permits from Parks Canada together with an area map and additional information. For the purpose of the licensing draw and pool status, this MMA will be treated the same as all others and standard provincial licensing fees will apply.

Before applying for a national park licence, please note that there are differences between provincial hunting regulations and what is permissible under this ecosystem management program in the national park. For example:

• Harvesters must possess a Parks Canada Superintendent’s permit in addition to their provincial big game licence, tags, and outdoor identification card.
• Moose is the only species permitted for harvesting. Licences for other species are not valid in national parks.
• Firearms must be cased or securely wrapped and tied in areas outside the MMA as well as in areas closed to hunting (such as campground areas) within the MMA. Harvesters are urged to refer to the detailed map of the MMA, which they will receive with their Superintendent’s permit, or contact national park staff for clarification on open and closed areas within the MMA. (See “Contact Us.”)
• Open fires and tree cutting are prohibited.
• Failure to comply with regulations may result in charges under the Canada National Parks Act.

What’s new for 2023-24?

• There is a single MMA for Gros Morne National Park that will be divided into four zones. Your Gros Morne MMA licence and tags are valid in all zones:
• Zone 1: September 23, 2023 to January 28, 2024. Includes areas more than two kilometres away from Highways 430 and 431, excluding any Zone 2 (back of Trout River Pond), Zone 3 and Zone 4 areas. Please note that opening date is two weeks later than adjacent provincial Moose Management Areas. 
• Zone 2: October 14, 2023 to January 28, 2024. Includes the area at the back of Trout River Pond, areas within two kilometres of Highways 430 and 431, excluding any Zone 3 and Zone 4 areas.  
• Zone 3: November 13, 2023 to January 28, 2024. Areas adjacent to main park facilities and trails.   
• Zone 4: Closed to hunting.
• Special Areas - In addition to the four zones, construction areas, closed to hunting until further notice, have been identified on the MMA 2E. Always be alert for closures around any other construction sites. Hunting is not permitted within 1 km of any construction.

Important information for harvesters in Gros Morne National Park

• All-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, including for carcass retrieval, is strictly prohibited.
• There are few access roads within the national park. Public highways, community roads, and boat-accessible coastline generally provide motorized access only to the margins of the MMA.
• Snowmobile use for moose harvesting in Gros Morne National Park will be permitted. Certain restrictions apply; some areas of the park are closed to all snowmobiling for example, and snowmobiling can only occur when there is adequate snow cover.
• Harvesters may use motorized/non-motorized boats to access the MMA in accordance with National Park regulations.
• Access to the backcountry by float plane or helicopter will be permitted during the hunt provided hunters have a landing permit signed by the field unit superintendent. A Landing Permit Application Form can be obtained by contacting Parks Canada’s Front Desk at 709-458-2417. The form is to be filled out and returned to Parks Canada. Once signed by the superintendent, the permit will be issued to the applicant. Hunters are required to keep the written permit aboard the aircraft.