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Bison permit hunt 2008-09
Bison hunters should use the new Bison Hunter Checklist before heading out this season. You may also want to use these maps:
- Bison core range with Game Management Zones marked (PDF)
- Bison areas of concentration in Nov/Dec (PDF) --> B&W or Colour
- Bison core range with Settlement Lands (A&B) marked (1:500,000) -- purchase for $5 at Environment Yukon offices in Haines Junction and Whitehorse
This year is the first time Environment Yukon is using adaptive management for the wood bison population. The Wood Bison Technical Team developed the harvest management approach. Hunters will see the following changes this season:
- An initial annual allowable harvest of 200 bison.
- An initial season running from December 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009.
- No random draw for hunters, i.e. while permits are still required there is no limit on the number to be issued.
- Hunters must buy the seal when they pick up their permit. The cost is $50 plus GST.
- Hunters must report a successful hunt within 72 hours of the kill.
- Environment Yukon will review harvest levels at the end of February to determine if an in-season adjustment can be made to the allowable harvest.
- If numbers allow, a second season commencing March 1, 2009 and ending March 31, 2009 will be introduced with the harvesting managed through a registration hunt that would limit the number of hunters at any given time.
Hunters must still complete the mandatory bison hunt workshop before they can obtain a permit and a bison seal. (Environment Yukon keeps a list of all people who have successfully completed the workshop.) All other Wildlife Act regulations will apply: providing biological submissions, game management subzones, rifle type and caliber, tag fees, and limit of one permit and one bison per licensed hunter. As well, school hunts will continue to be held.
An adaptive management framework gives the Environment Minister increased flexibility to make decisions annually with respect to season dates, permit numbers, and open subzones for hunting bison. Adaptive management will be carried out on a five-year trial basis, with 2008-09 the starting point.
Click here for the Fall 2008 issue of Wood Bison Banter (PDF 500KB)
Click here for the news release about the 2008-09 bison permit hunt.
Click here for the news release about bison hunter safety.
Updated November 27, 2008