Hunting Coyote in Newfoundland and Labrador (Small Game Hunting)

The eastern coyote is a recent arrival in Newfoundland and Labrador, having come here in 1985 walking over the Arctic ice floes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, likely from Nova Scotia. Since then, its population has grown. It's been spotted everywhere, including on the streets of St. John's, the capital city. Its emigration to Newfoundland is in keeping with the expansion of the animal's range throughout eastern North America. In Labrador, just a single animal has been reported so far, and it's believed to be an isolated eastward migrant from Québec. In Newfoundland it thrives because there is plenty of food and because its normal competition, the wolf, has been extinct on the island since 1930. The first coyote hunting program was introduced in 2002. Both big and small game hunters can take coyotes during the season outlined on their hunting licence (2nd Saturday in September to the 2nd Saturday in July). Big game hunters can use the same firearm and ammunition as in their primary hunt. Small game hunters can use either a shotgun firing shells with #2 shot or larger, or a specified centerfire rifle. View a larger picture of the Coyote.

Hunting Wolf in Labrador (Small Game Hunting)

The wolf lives only in the Labrador portion of the province. It's been extinct on the island of Newfoundland since 1930, probably because caribou populations plummeted at that time and its other prey, the beaver, was also at a low ebb in its numbers. There was a bounty on the Newfoundland wolf in the 19th century, but for almost six decades an average of only four pelts per year were turned in for the payment. But the wolf thrives in Labrador, and a number of outfitters offer a wolf hunt as an add-on to the primary big game hunt for barren ground caribou or black bear during fall and winter. There's some question whether the Labrador wolf is a distinct subspecies or not. Some people call it the grey wolf or timber wolf, while others claim it's a separate species found only in Labrador and northern Québec. And although it's called the grey wolf, its coat can range from white to almost black. It can range in length from about 4.5 to almost 6 feet, and can weigh from 75 to 140 pounds. Packs of up to 25 wolves follow the caribou herds during fall and winter migration, and while this might seem a threat to the caribou, the Québec-Labrador herd can sustain quite a lot of predation because it numbers in the hundreds of thousands, and is one of the largest barren ground caribou herds in the world. View a larger picture of the Wolf.

Hunting Ptarmigan in Newfoundland and Labrador (Small Game Hunting)

Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, both the willow and rock ptarmigan are known as partridge, even though both are members of the grouse family. The willow weighs in at 1 to 1.5 pounds, and the rock is somewhat smaller. On the island of Newfoundland, willow ptarmigan are found in moist areas, like the edges of ponds, the central forests, Avalon and Northern Peninsulas, and along coastal barrens, while in Labrador they are found in the forests around Lake Melville. In Newfoundland, rock ptarmigan are usually found in higher and drier areas, while in Labrador you'll find them in the northern tundra. Each species has feathered toes and three different plumages – mainly brown for summer, grey and brown for fall, and white for winter. Their tails remain black all year. In Newfoundland, the ptarmigan hunting season typically begins the 3rd week of September and runs until late October in eastern and central parts of the island, and into mid-December elsewhere. In Labrador the season starts October 1, running until late March. In both cases, it overlaps the big game hunting seasons. A number of outfitters offer ptarmigan hunting as a small game add-on to a big game package. View a larger picture of the Rock Ptarmigan.

Hunting Grouse in Newfoundland and Labrador (Small Game Hunting)

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the spruce grouse is sometimes called the "fool hen" because it is tame and hasn't learned to fear humans. And like its cousins the ruffed grouse, and the rock and willow ptarmigans, it is also called a partridge. As its name implies, the spruce grouse is usually found in coniferous forests, but can also be seen on blueberry barrens and in mixed forests. It's a little over a foot long, and looks like a chicken with a square tail and round wings. The male has a red comb over the eyes and grey plumage, while the female is greybrown or reddish brown, with a band of brown feathers at the end of the tail. On the island of Newfoundland, they are mainly in the forests of the central and northern peninsula areas, while in Labrador they are found in central and western areas, and the forests around Lake Melville. Ruffed grouse are not at all tame, and of the two provide the more sporting challenge. They are distinguished by a rapid whirring of the wings when they take off. Slightly bigger than the spruce grouse, they are usually found in 2nd growth deciduous and mixed forests. In Labrador they are found around Lake Melville, and in the southern and southeastern forests. On the island, they are found in the central and northern peninsula forests. View a larger picture of the Spruce Grouse (fool hen).

Hunting Migratory Birds in Newfoundland and Labrador (Small Game Hunting)

There are about 20 different migratory game birds found in Newfoundland and Labrador. In general, they fall into three game species: ducks, geese, and snipe. The ducks include mergansers, oldsquaw, eiders, and scoters. The snipe is the common snipe, and the geese are some of the subpopulations of Canada goose. There's a smaller than usual bag limit on the American black duck, whose population has increased since 1995, but is still on the 'concern' list. Further information on waterfowl populations and migratory bird regulations is available from the Canadian Wildlife Service website. CWS is responsible for migratory game birds in Canada. Open season dates for migratory game birds in Newfoundland run from the 3rd Saturday in September to the 2nd Saturday in December. In Labrador, the season starts a week earlier and ends either the 2nd or 3rd Saturday in December, according to the management zone. Some outfitters offer waterfowl hunting as an add-on to their main package. Detailed information is available from the Inland Fish & Wildlife Division (See Useful Contacts section in Things you need to know). Hunters are asked to return any migratory bird tags they collect by calling 800-327-2263. Non-toxic shot is mandatory for all hunting. View a larger picture of the Canada Goose.

Hunting Arctic Hare in Newfoundland and Labrador (Small Game Hunting)

Both the snowshoe and Arctic hare are found in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Arctic hare is native to both parts of the province, and the snowshoe hare was introduced to Newfoundland around 1860. Some 1.5 million go into the cooking pot here every year, and most of them are snowshoes. You'll find snowshoe hares in all regions of Newfoundland, but the Arctic hares are usually found only on the west coast. Even in Labrador, snowshoes are more widely distributed than Arctics. Snowshoes are found everywhere except the extreme north, but Arctics are found only in the northern areas and along the north coast barrens. The hunting season for snowshoe hares opens around mid-October and stretches into late February in Newfoundland. In Labrador the season for both species opens October 1 and runs until the 3rd week of April. Snowshoe hares have big feet to help them get around on the snow. They are usually found in boreal forests with lots of food and shelter, and can weigh 2 to 4 pounds. They are brown in summer and turn white in winter. Their populations fluctuate over a ten-year period, so when their numbers are up, so are those of animals like the lynx who prey on them, and when their populations are down, so are their predators. View a larger picture of the Artic Hare.

In some areas you can combine hunting and fishing. For more details, please click here to find contact information for one of our friendly, outfitters who know this place by heart and are always here to guide your way.