The
Mackenzie bison population is the largest healthy, free-roaming bison
population found in northern Canada.
Established
in 1963, the herd grew rapidly. In 1987 it had reached in excess of 1700
bison. Since then, population growth has slowed and according to a March
2000 survey, has stabilized at about 2000 bison. Several
mortality factors have contributed to this stabilization in numbers,
specifically an
anthrax
outbreak in 1993 killed 172 bison and in 1989, 177 bison fell through thin
spring ice and were drowned.
Since
1993, multiple prairies have been burned in accordance with a 10-year
Prescribed Burning Plan. The goal of this plan was to improve bison
habitat throughout their range.
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The
herd occupies a wilderness area of approximately 20,000 km2
ranging from the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence north to the
community of Rae-Edzo. Their
range has expanded west of the highway to include both the Mills and Mink
lake areas.
(Map JPG = 688 KB) |
Economic
Use
Hunting
of the Mackenzie Bison Population was first permitted in 1987-88 when 20
permits were issued to harvest male bison. This quota was increased to 40
in 1991 and to 60 in 1992. As a result of an anthrax outbreak in 1993, the
quota was reduced to 44, but in 1994 was increased to 47.
The
current tag allocation is:
Fort Providence = 20, Rae-Edzo = 3, Resident Limited Entry Draw = 15 and
non-resident trophy hunts = 9 (outfitter required). Any person
holding a tag to harvest wood bison must complete an orientation course
designed to educate the hunter about hunting safety and sex identification
of bison. After receiving a bison tag, a resident is not eligible to apply
for the next two hunting seasons.
| Harvest
Year |
Fort Providence |
Limited Entry Draw |
Rae |
Non-resident |
Total Harvested |
Quota |
| 87-88 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
4 |
20 |
| 88-89 |
8 |
9 |
3 |
|
20 |
40 |
| 89-90 |
11 |
11 |
4 |
|
26 |
40 |
| 90-91 |
11 |
12 |
5 |
|
28 |
40 |
| 91-92 |
15 |
14 |
0 |
|
29 |
40 |
| 92-93 |
23 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
44 |
60 |
| 93-94 |
13 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
26 |
44 |
| 94-95 |
12 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
26 |
47 |
| 95-96 |
20 |
13 |
2 |
1 |
36 |
47 |
| 96-97 |
20 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
33 |
47 |
| 97-98 |
19 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
37 |
47 |
| 98-99 |
18 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
35 |
47 |
| 99-00 |
19 |
12 |
3 |
0 |
34 |
47 |
| 00-01 |
20 |
12 |
0 |
8 |
40 |
47 |
| 01-02 |
20 |
14 |
1 |
9 |
44 |
47 |
| 02-03 |
20 |
15 |
3 |
6 |
44 |
47 |
|
Management
The
Mackenzie bison population represents the first successful transplant of
healthy wood bison into historic range and the population is free of
cattle diseases that plague remnant herds in the Slave River Lowlands and
Wood Buffalo National Park. The goals of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources are to manage the Mackenzie herd and its
habitat in order to maintain a healthy bison population; to allow for the
wise use of some surplus animals for subsistence, resident and trophy
hunting opportunities; and to minimize the risk of infection of the herd
with tuberculosis and brucellosis. Non-consumptive use of bison is also a
priority. This includes increasing public awareness of the bison and
creating opportunities for tourists, photographers, and others to see and
appreciate this magnificent animal in its natural environment.
