SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR
BACKCOUNTRY HUNTING
Parks Canada is seeking volunteer hunters to assist with moose population reduction in targeted remote
areas of Gros Morne National Park. These areas have been pre-selected because of their relative
inaccessibility for ground-based hunters and their high moose densities. Participating hunters will be
flown by helicopter to a predetermined remote area of the park, dropped for the day to hunt, and then
picked up at the end of the day. If successful, their moose carcass will be flown out to a road-accessible
location for them to process.
To participate, you must have a valid MMA 2E moose licence and tags as well as your superintendent’s
permit. There is no cost to hunters participating in this program.
How the program will work
1) The program will run from October 5 to November 27, 2015. There will be two days of flying time
scheduled each week. The exact days will depend upon aircraft availability and weather. All
decisions on safe operation of the aircraft are at the discretion of the pilot.
2) A total of eight hunters will be selected for each week of the program. Four hunters will be flown
on the first day and the other four hunters on the second day. Hunters, whether successful or
not, may only participate for one day. Hunters must be available to hunt any day during their
scheduled week when weather is suitable for flying.
3) Each hunter participating in the program is permitted to bring one helper with him/her on the hunt.
The helper also may hunt if they have a valid MMA 2E moose licence and tags.
4) At the start of the day, hunters will meet with the pilot at a set place and time for a safety briefing.
5) Hunters will be dropped off at pre-determined locations to begin their hunt.
6) Hunters will be provided with a satellite phone and GPS. If successful, they can call in their
location for the moose to be slung out and for them to be picked up.
7) Remaining hunters will be extracted in the late afternoon from pre-determined pick-up locations.
8) As with all backcountry work, hunters must be self-reliant and prepared for an overnight stay in
the event that weather or other issues prevent the helicopter from picking them up at the end of
the day.
Note that aircraft will be used only to transport hunters to and from their assigned hunting location and to
extract moose carcasses. Aircraft will not be used to search for or locate moose. All firearms must be
unloaded and cased during transport.
This is a trial program. We may find it necessary to modify plans during the course of the program to
account for unexpected logistical issues.
How to Participate
1) Register by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Backcountry Moose
Hunting” and include the following information by September 20, 2015:
a. Name
b. MMA 2E Licence Number (if available)
c. Address
d. Telephone number(s) where you can be reached during the day
e. email address
2) A random draw will be held on September 21, 2015 to assign each participating hunter a priority
number. The first 50 successful applicants will be contacted by email by the end of business day
on September 22, 2015 to choose their preferred week to participate.
3) We are planning to select up to a total of 50 hunters. Only the top 50 will be contacted initially.
Why is Parks Canada targeting remote locations?
Our moose population surveys show that moose numbers are still very high in areas that are difficult for
hunters to access. To reduce the moose population to a manageable level, it is important that moose are
removed from these remote areas as well as accessible areas.
How much does it cost to participate in the program?
There is no cost for participating hunters.
What happens if I am not selected to participate?
Each hunter will receive a priority number for this backcountry hunt. Those not initially selected to
participate will maintain their priority position in the event that an opening becomes available.
What happens if I am not successful getting my moose?
Program participation is for one day only. If you are not successful getting a moose on your day, you will
be bumped to the bottom of the priority list.
What happens if we can’t fly for the entire week that I have selected to participate?
While we will do our best to get hunters into the field, we cannot guarantee that weather and logistics will
cooperate. If, for whatever reason, a hunter is unable to get into the field on their assigned week, they
will be bumped to the bottom of the priority list.
A note about weather.
Autumn weather can be unpredictable and changeable in Gros Morne. Participants must be aware that
weather delays are inevitable with helicopter-based work. It is important to have a flexible schedule for
those times when bad weather sets in for several days.