Four changes are being made to the Fur Harvesting Regulations under the Wildlife Conservation Act for the 2015-16 season, says Minister of Communities, Land and Environment Robert Mitchell.
“The Department meets annually with the Prince Edward Island Trappers Association to hear recommendations regarding regulatory changes to the Wildlife Conservation Act. We rely on feedback from this organization to ensure provincial regulation remains current and effective,” said Minister Mitchell. “The regulation changes being made this week are in response to the requests of the association and to bring our province in line with the latest national expectations.”
The following amendments to the act are effective for the upcoming 2015-16 fur harvesting season:
• Raccoon trapping will now be prohibited within the highway right-of-way.
• The allowable possession period for pelts after the season ends, without a permit, is now five days instead of 10.
• Weasels have been added to the list of species for which the use of certified traps is mandatory. (This is a national standard recommended by the Canadian Furbearer Managers Committee.)
• The trapping season for beaver, mink, muskrat and weasel will now begin on November 1st. This date has been modified from October 31st.
Minister Mitchell wishes all hunters and trappers a safe season across Prince Edward Island. The Wildlife Conservation Act can be accessed in its entirety on the provincial government website: www.gov.pe.ca.