ACNB

Our vision

The NBDA aims to unite the province's deer hunters into a common voice to promote sustainable management of New Brunswick's deer population.

Our mission

Educate the public on the biology, habitat and management of the deer herd in a sustainable manner.

Improve and maintain a healthy deer population and increase hunter satisfaction levels.

Our goals

Conservation - promote sustainable management of the New Brunswick deer population

Education and Awareness - make presentations in schools, organize field days, offer conferences, be present with booths during events, etc.

Studies and Surveys - conduct hunter surveys and various inventories to measure sex ratio, age structure, recruitment rate, etc.

Partnerships - promote collaboration between the various stakeholders in the province, i.e. associations, NB government and the forest industry

Recruitment - to increase the membership of the NBDA

Visibility and funding Sources - Organize an annual fundraising banquet to increase visibility and ensure the financial health of the NBDA

Proposed actions

Open zones 4, 5 and 9 to deer hunting -to encourage woodlot owners to do management on their land and reduce hunting pressure in the southern management zones.

Enhance data collection on harvested deer – specifically by recording the location of harvest (Crown land, private, or industrial), whether the female is lactating, and the age of the deer (fawn, 1.5 years old, or adult).

Controlled harvest of females in all Wildlife Management Zones of the province - establish female harvest quotas in each zone of the province to improve the doe to buck sex ratio.

End the harvest of female deer by October 31 – before the rut, to protect females that will give birth in the spring.

Promote the protection of young males (1.5 years old) during the hunting season – encourage the hunter to harvest a male deer with 3 points minimum to an antler to improve the doe to buck sex ratio and improve the age structure.

Amend legislation to hunt on private land - written permission required to improve the image of hunters in the province and to permit conservation officers to do their jobs.