Government making changes to Wildlife Conservation Act

The P.E.I provincial government is making changes to the Wildlife Conservation Actthat take effect this year.

"These changes increase participation opportunities and ensure the traditions of hunting and trapping continue in a safe and effective manner," said Land and EnvironmentMinisterRobert Mitchell in a news release.

The snowshoe hare hunting season and the mink trapping season will now end on March 31 instead of the end of February.

The snowshoe hare snaring season will start earlier this year.Snaring can begin Nov. 1instead of halfway through the month.

Also new this year,licensed fur harvesters will be permitted to shoot a .22 caliber rimfire rifle to kill a trapped animal after dark.

Regulations around muskrat and weasel traps have also been changed. Several muskrat and weasel traps have been added onto the list of certified traps.