Antlerless deer permits reduced 20% for 2016 hunt
Number of doe permits drops to 1,800, which is down 450 from 2015 and barely half number issued in 2013
The province has reduced the number of anterless deer tags it will issue for the annual hunt by 20 per cent for the second year in a row.
The number of permits issued to kill female deer this year is 1,800, which is 450 fewer than the 2,250 antlerless permits issued in 2015.
Similarly, the number of antlerless permits issued in 2015 was reduced by 20 per cent from the previous year.
In November 2015, a former government wildlife biologist said deer in the province were "at a historic — I mean catastrophically — low level."
In 2013, the province issued 3,450 antlerless permits, which is almost double the number to be issued in 2016.
The reduction in doe tags occurs primarily in central and southern New Brunswick.
Antlerless permits will be issued in only six of the province's 27 wildlife management zones.
Hunting will be allowed for bucks only in 18 of the zones.
Zones 4, 5, and 9, which are all along the Bay of Chaleurs, will be closed to deer hunters.
The application period for antlerless permits will be open from July 18 through Aug. 9. Hunters can apply through the Department of Energy and Resource Development's online licensing system, at Service New Brunswick, and at vendors registered with the department.