Frequently asked questions for harvesters

1. How can I get involved?
2. What do I need to participate in the population reduction program?
3. What type of licenses will be available?
4. What restrictions will there be on moose harvesters in the national park?
5. Why are there different harvesting zones within the Gros Morne Moose Management Area?
6. Do I require different licenses for the different harvesting zones in Gros Morne National Park?
7. Do I require a park pass?
8. When will I receive my Parks Canada permit?
9. Where can I sight in my gun?
10. Why can’t I use my ATV in the national park to retrieve the carcass?
11. Can I use my ATV within community areas to get to the park boundary?
12. Can I use horses or ponies to retrieve the carcass?
13. Can I access the back country by float plane or helicopter?
14. Do I have to remove the gut pile from the park?
15. Are there non-resident licenses for outfitters?

1. How can I get involved?
If you are interested in participating in the moose population management effort to improve forest health in Gros Morne National Park, you may apply through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s big game licensing system. Information about how to do that is available through provincial information sources such as the Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Trapping Guide or the website of the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation. Look for specific information on the Moose Management Area that has been designated in Gros Morne National Park. If you are successful in the provincial draw you will receive a permit from the Superintendent along with your tags and provincial license. Remember that in addition to carrying these three items, you must also be in possession of the provincial outdoor identification card in order to carry a firearm.
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2. What do I need to participate in the population management program?
Licenses will be allocated to eligible harvesters through a random draw process administered by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Hunting and Trapping Guide includes comprehensive information on the population reduction programs in Gros Morne and Terra Nova National Parks. Participants must provide proof of provincial harvester eligibility, which includes successful completion of the Canadian Firearm Safety and Newfoundland Hunter Education Course. They can then apply through the provincial big game licensing system. Successful draw applicants will be provided with a Parks Canada Superintendent’s permit that will allow them to harvest and retrieve a moose in Gros Morne National Park. Also, as per provincial regulations, harvesters will also need to be in possession of their provincial hunting license and tags as well as their outdoor identification card. When transporting a firearm in the national parks, it must be cased or securely wrapped and tied when not in their identified Moose Management Area.
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3. What type of licenses will be available?
Either-sex licenses will be available for Gros Morne National Park. Harvesters should note that other provincial harvesting licenses (i.e., non-moose licenses) will not be recognized in the national parks.
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4. What restrictions will there be on moose harvesters in the national park?
There will be differences in what is permitted under provincial hunting regulations and what will be permitted in the national parks as part of the moose population reduction program. For the specific rules and regulations governing participation in the program, please visit the operational details page.
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5. Why are there different harvesting zones within the Gros Morne Moose Management Area?
There is one single Moose Management Area in Gros Morne which has been further divided into four different zones. Each of these zones opens at a different time in order to accommodate the Large number of visitors still using the park in September and October and the many local businesses, attractions, and tourism companies that are still operating to serve them. The delayed opening in most zones is designed to minimize potential conflicting activities between hunters and other park visitors.

• Zone 1: September 21, 2024 to January 26, 2025. 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 19, 2024 to January 26, 2025. 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 16, 2024 to January 26, 2025. 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.

6. Do I require different licenses for the different harvesting zones in Gros Morne National Park?
No. Harvesters with a license for Gros Morne National Park may hunt in any of the zones that are open on the date they are hunting.
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7. Do I require a national park entry pass?
No. Parks Canada will provide a free permit to all harvesters with provincial licences for the Moose Management Area in Gros Morne National Park. The Parks Canada permit allows harvesters free entry to the park for the purposes of the moose harvest.
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8. When will I receive my Parks Canada permit?
Permits are mailed out from Parks Canada once we receive the list of hunters who were successful in the draw for the Gros Morne Moose Management Area. You will receive the permit before the start of the hunting season.
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9. Where can I sight in my gun?
The provincial government provides permits to allow hunters to sight in their guns at safe locations outside their Moose Management Areas. Contact either the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources or the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Division for information specific to your area.
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10. Why can’t I use my ATV in the national park to retrieve the carcass?
ATV use is strictly prohibited by the Canada National Parks Act. ATVs can irreversibly damage terrain and vegetation, especially on wetlands and bogs. For this reason, ATV use is not permitted in national parks.
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11. Can I use my ATV within community areas to get to the park boundary?
Inside the boundaries of the enclave communities, ATV use follows provincial regulations (available from the Natural Resources website):

• Use is permitted only in approved areas.
• In restricted areas, travel is permitted on approved trails only.
• Approved trails are marked by signs which are maintained by the individual who was granted the approval to construct the trail.
• An operator of an ATV must wear an approved helmet.
• A person who holds a big game licence may operate an ATV in a restricted area (on provincial lands) to transport an animal from where it was killed. The number of trips is restricted to five (5). Note that ATVs are not permitted to cross into Gros Morne National Park.

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12. Can I use horses or ponies to retrieve the carcass?
Yes, horses can be used in the national park to retrieve carcasses.
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13. Can I access the back country by float plane or helicopter?
The Superintendent’s permit allows harvesters to use helicopter or float plane for transportation to and from a hunting area and for transporting any moose harvested. Pilots will be required to provide flight details and obtain a landing permit from the Field Unit Superintendent in Rocky Harbour.

14. Do I have to remove the gut pile from the park?
No. The gut pile can be left as usual in other Moose Management Areas. It does not have to be removed or buried.
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15. Are there non-resident licenses for outfitters?
Only individuals eligible for a resident big game license in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will be permitted to harvest moose in the national parks.
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