If you live in rural New Brunswick, you know how vital outdoor tourism is to the local economy. Now, local outfitters are sounding the alarm after the provincial government announced plans to restrict American hunters and anglers from obtaining licenses. The move comes as a direct response to new tariffs imposed by the United States.

According to a recent report by CBC News, Premier Susan Holt detailed the province’s retaliation strategy against President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on select Canadian goods. The strategy includes a legislative review to give the minister of natural resources the authority to restrict fishing and hunting licenses based on specific criteria.

Outfitters Face Economic Devastation

Local business owners rely heavily on American tourism. Debbie Norton co owns Upper Oxbow Adventures and serves as the president of the New Brunswick Professional Outfitter Guide Association. She told CBC News that the industry reaction is “just plain panic.”

Norton estimates that over 90 percent of the hunting and fishing outfitting business in the province comes from Americans. She warns that restricting these visitors creates a severe negative economic outcome for rural New Brunswick.

Larry Adair owns Adair’s Wilderness Lodge near Poley Mountain. He calls the idea of putting the outfitting industry into a trade war “asinine.” Americans make up about 30 percent of his business, and he notes that some bear hunting outfitters rely entirely on US clientele.

Americans Pay Premium Prices

International visitors pay significantly more for the right to hunt and fish in the province. A moose license costs a local resident $72. An American pays $548 for the exact same license. A black bear license costs a New Brunswicker $37, while an American pays $143.

These premium fees bring substantial revenue to the provincial government. The number of international licenses sold grows steadily every year. The province sold 3,247 international moose licenses last year alone.

US Anglers Left in Limbo

Bradford Burns is a 75 year old angler from Maine. He travels to Blackville every year to fish for salmon. He owns multiple fishing camps on the shores of the Cains River and the Miramichi River. He estimates he spent over a million dollars buying camps in the area.

Burns describes himself as a Trump Republican. He hopes the province is simply using the threat as a negotiation tactic. If New Brunswick bans him from obtaining a license, he plans to sell his properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is New Brunswick banning American hunters?

The provincial government plans this restriction as a retaliatory measure against new 50 percent tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the United States.

How much of the outfitting industry relies on US visitors?

Industry experts estimate that over 90 percent of the hunting and fishing outfitting business in New Brunswick comes from American clients.

Do Americans pay more for hunting licenses?

Yes. Americans pay significantly higher fees. An international moose license costs $548 compared to the $72 fee for local residents.