Bluenose-West

The Bluenose-West herd calving grounds are located in the western Melville Hills in Tuktut Nogait National Park, with high calving densities in the area west of the Hornaday River south to the Little Hornaday River. The post calving range of this herd includes the Melville Hills from the coastal areas near Paulatuk, east to Bluenose Lake, south to the Little Hornaday River, and in the areas east of the Hornaday River. The bulls summer in the same area, with some using coastal areas as far west as the Horton River. In late July or early August, the herd migrates westward into the area below treeline around Rendezvous Lake to the Anderson River. The rutting occurs in this area and as far west as the Kugaluk River and south to the Simpson and Horton lakes areas. The winter range of this herd includes the area from Eskimo Lakes and the Anderson River to the north and Colville and Great Bear lakes and Fort Good Hope to the south.

The Bluenose-West herd was first censused as a distinct herd in 2000. A photocensus was completed in early July 2000, however due to cool windy weather conditions, the herd did not aggregate very well. As a result the population estimate of 74,273 obtained for 2000 should be considered as a minimum. Data obtained during photocensus surveys completed on the “Bluenose” herd in 1987, 1998, and 2000 were re-analyzed to estimate population trends. Another photocensus is planned for 2005.

Another photocensus was completed during the summer of 2005. The results of this census show the Bluenose-West herd has declined to an estimate of 20,800 animals. A photocensus survey, completed in July, 2006, estimated the size of the Bluenose-West Herd at 18,000 animals.

Calving ground surveys were done to estimate productivity. In 2002 and 2003 cow calf ratios in late June were 55 and 53 calves per 100 cows, respectively. The cow calf ratios appear to have increased during recent years.

Year	Population Estimate (non calf)	Range (95% CI)
1987	98,874	95,729 – 102,019
1992	64,705	55,648 – 73,762
2000	74,273	66,682 – 84,864
2005	20,800	18,860 – 22,840
2006	18,050	17,523 – 18,577