24 Oct Is It Legal to Bait Deer in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada`s Maritime provinces and the smallest province in the country after Prince Edward Island. The Nova Scotia peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with a rugged coastline with many bays and estuaries. The picturesque contrast of green fields and deep-sea cliffs, as well as the friendly residents of Nova Scotia, make it a popular destination for hunters and non-hunters alike. Deer and bears are big game hunting attractions for non-resident hunters in Nova Scotia, but there are also many opportunities to hunt waterfowl and highland game. There is a moose season on Cape Breton Island, but it is only open to Nova Scotians. Black bears are abundant throughout the province and are hunted during the fall season, usually with bait; It`s a great destination for affordable hunts for cute black bears. White-tailed deer hunting is also good in agricultural areas with an average success rate of 25%. Nova Scotia has many outfitters specializing in deer and black bears. Big game seasons usually last until October and November. Non-resident hunters must prove that they have completed a sanctioned hunter training course in their area of residence or a valid hunting licence for the past five years in order to obtain a non-resident hunting licence in Nova Scotia.
You will also need to purchase a wildlife habitat stamp and hunt with a licensed guide or resident who has been given a special driver`s license. Learn more about hunting in Nova Scotia in novascotia.ca/natr/hunt/. Avery said that by using carrots as bait, hunters can also be more selective with the animals they slaughter. Last year, Wallace sold a million pounds of deer carrots. This is the same type of carrot you will find at the supermarket. They come from the same range as food carrots and are safe for human consumption. But the so-called deer carrots are slaughters or seconds. They don`t meet grocery store standards because they`re twisted, broken, or not of the ideal length and width. Most carrots sold in grocery stores should be 1.9 centimeters in diameter and 17 to 20 centimeters long.
Greg Pothier, owner of Carl`s store in Tusket, Nova Scotia, sells a 23-kilogram bag of deer carrots for $8. This year, he says he expects to sell at least a thousand bags. Ian Avery, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters, told CBC`s Information Morning that many hunters use carrots to attract deer so they can shoot animals at close range. “If you`re looking for a bigger dollar for trophy hunting, you can let the cubs in, feed them, and they`ll leave, and you just have to wait for the deer you want.” Deer carrots – harvested from the 20 per cent of carrots that do not meet food chain standards – are becoming increasingly popular among Nova Scotia`s more than 37,000 deer hunters, many of whom use vegetables to bait their targets. She wants to let you know about a relatively new tax credit that allows farmers who donate surplus or bulky produce to Feed Nova Scotia or a local food bank to receive a tax credit equal to 25% of the market value of the donation. “Carrots are a great product that we can distribute to our food banks and animal shelters across the province because they have a very long shelf life.” “We are very pleased that more products are being donated this fall than last fall, and we hope that will be the case,” she said. But while carrots are popular with hunters, Feed Nova Scotia says fresh produce, including carrots, is in high demand among their own customers. Karen Theriault, director of development and communications at Feed Nova Scotia, wants farmers who have slaughtered carrots to consider donating them to a food bank.
“I have [hunters] picking up 20 or 30 bags at a time,” he said. Pothier sources carrots from Andrew Wallace, an apple grower in Yarmouth County who imports carrots from Prince Edward Island. Millions of pounds of carrots feed the hungry mouth in Nova Scotia every year – but those mouths aren`t always human. “This allows the hunter to be more relaxed and expect a clean and ethical shot,” he said. “It`s less than 35 or 40 meters away.”