Hunters will see some changes in the field in the upcoming hunting season as new Hunting Guide Regulations come into effect. Hunting guides and outfitters will now be licensed by the province, and non-resident hunters must be accompanied by either a licensed resident hunter or a registered hunting guide while hunting in Prince Edward Island.
“About 1,000 sportsmen come to the Island each fall to enjoy the excellent hunting opportunities that the province offers. We want to see that they have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding hunting experience so that they come back again,” said Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem. “The new regulations will help achieve that goal by ensuring that non-resident hunters are accompanied by a licensed PEI hunter or a registered guide who has met a certain standard of professionalism.”
Minister Ballem acknowledged that many Islanders have friends visit for hunting trips. He noted a resident of PEI who has a valid hunting licence can still accompany up to two non-resident hunters, but they may not accept payment or other compensation for these services. A registered guide may accompany up to four non-resident hunters. Guides may not actively hunt while guiding but may kill an injured bird for a client if necessary.
Because the regulations are coming into effect so close to the start of the hunting season, for 2005, those applying for a Registered Hunting Guide Licence must meet four basic criteria:
• they must be 19 years of age or older;
• they must have a valid PEI hunting licence;
• they must have a valid firearm safety certificate; and
• they must not be prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
Starting in the new year, applicants will have to meet two additional requirements to be eligible for a Registered Hunting Guide Licence: they must have a valid emergency first aid and CPR certificate; and they must pass a competency test which will confirm their knowledge of applicable legislation, hunting practices, firearm and hunter safety, and other related topics.
A Registered Hunting Guide Licence is $30 for PEI residents and $50 for non-residents. A Registered Hunting Outfitter Licence, which allows an individual or company to provide services, equipment, guides or guiding services in relation to hunting, is $50 for both residents and non-residents.
Further information on the new Hunting Guide Regulations and copies of the Registered Hunting Guide or Outfitter Licence Application Form are available from the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division, 4th Floor Jones Building, 11 Kent Street, Charlottetown; at Access PEI sites; and online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/huntingguides. With hunting season just around the corner, those interested in being a registered guide or outfitter are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. The woodcock and ruffed grouse season opens September 26, and the season for ducks, geese and snipe opens Monday, October 3.
The Hunting Summary 2005 is an excellent source of information on hunting regulations, open season dates, and daily bag and possession limits, as well as hunter safety, and ethics and responsibilities. The booklet is now available at the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, Access PEI sites, and licence vendors across the province; and online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/hunting. For further information, contact the department at (902) 368-4683, or speak to your local conservation officer.