Woman, 61, charged after firing rifle from the roadside while hunting on New Harbour Barrens, NL

RCMP arrested a 61-year-old woman on Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, 2026 after receiving a report of possible hunter firing a rifle roadside on the New Harbour Barrens.

The woman was charged with careless use of a firearm.

On Wednesday around 8:15 a.m., police in Harbour Grace received a report that a person, dressed in hunting attire, had discharged a firearm from the roadway on the New Harbour Barrens near Tilton. When officers arrived, they found a woman with a hunting rifle, next to a vehicle parked on the shoulder.

The woman provided officers with valid firearms and hunting permits, and the firearm was seized and secured by police. She was arrested without incident and charged with careless use of a firearm.

In addition, she was issued two tickets for violating provincial hunting regulations.

She was released from custody to appear in provincial court in December 2026.

The RCMP notes that this hunting season, “make safety your top priority. You are responsible for understanding and obeying all relevant laws and regulations, including safe handling of your firearm, and for ensuring that you and your hunting party have a plan and prepare before you go.”

In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, it is unlawful for hunters to discharge a firearm from or across any railway bed, highway, public or private road. To learn more about regulations for all hunters, visit http://www.gov.nl.ca/fal/public-education/wildlife/hunting/hunters/