Originally Posted by Nord QC Bouman

New Rules for 2016-2017 being rolled out.
- 22A is closed
- Tags in 22B reduced 20%
- Antlers only
- 2x cost per tags - need to buy tag for each animal ($375 ea.)
- New Cat III area being added to closed the gap from Wemd - Chisa
- Fall hunt is restricted to only 1 animal with =>40cm rack
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Sport hunting migratory caribou 2016-2017 - Minister Lessard announces changes to the terms of hunting for migratory caribou of the leaf River herd

Québec, January 19, 2016- The Minister of forests, wildlife and parks, Mr. Laurent Lessard, promotes the advancement of follow-up work on the river herd caribou population leaves and Announces sport hunting arrangements which will be implemented in Northern Quebec for the 2016-2017 season.

"The situation of migratory caribou of Northern Quebec remains serious. Our Government therefore has the responsibility to implement the modalities that will respect the food and cultural contribution that this species provides Aboriginal nations, while considering the economic contribution that represents sport hunting offered by Outfitters operating within the territory. The Department demonstrated vigilance in the management of this species to ensure the sustainability of this symbol of wildlife of Quebec heritage", stated Minister Laurent Lessard.

Fall 2015 classification indicates that the number of fawns of this herd has increased, but that the proportion of large males remains worrying. The monitoring biological indicators on an annual basis to estimate the trend of a population between two inventories. The population has thus evaluated at about 332 000 caribou in fall 2015, a decrease of 6.7 per cent compared to that estimated in the fall of 2014. This decline is mainly due to the low survival rate of males. Therefore, application of more restrictive procedures for the management of sport hunting is required.

Thus, the catch limit will be reduced to a caribou licence with the possibility for a Hunter to get a second permit. Certain procedures, specifying the length of the wood, aim to reduce the pressure of harvesting in the segment of large males. In addition, zone 22A will be closed. The number of licences allocated to sport hunting in zone 22B, 23 West will be divided in the following way.

Summary of terms of sport hunting in force for the year 2016-2017

Zone 22A
• Closing of sport hunting for the year 2016-2017.
For other areas
• Limit capture of a caribou per license with the possibility for a Hunter to obtain two licences.
• Provincial catch limit set at two caribou per Hunter per year.
Zone 22B
• 1 234 licensing.
• Hunting period beginning 1 ER December 2016 and ending January 31, 2017.
• Prohibition on slaughter of caribou without wood or wood of less than 15 cm.
• Establishment of a corridor of exclusion of sport hunting in category III to share lands and across the road to Chisasibi.
Area 23 West
• 1 498 licensing.
• Hunting period beginning August 13, 2016 and ending October 2, 2016.
• For a fighter is being procured a second permit in this same area, prohibition to shoot more than one caribou whose size wood exceeds the top of the head more than 40 cm in height.
The Quebec Government will continue monitoring of biological indicators and remains associated with Caribou Ungava research group in the pursuit of research on the migratory caribou, particularly to assess the impact of the main predators and the effect of climate change on this herd.