The muskox of Banks Island are harvested by the people of Sachs Harbour for subsistence use, sport hunts and a commercial hunt for the sale of meat to southern destinations.  Although caribou is preferred, the residents of Sachs Harbour utilize the muskox on Banks Island as a food source. 

Guided sport hunts for non-residents generate income for the community. In 1981, the commercial harvest for muskox began. In 1991/1992, 2213 muskox were harvested out of a quota of 5000 animals. This was the single largest harvest year to date and the quota was increased to 10000 in 1994.    

Efforts are underway to increase the market for muskox meat in southern Canada, but it seems unlikely that the total quota will be reached.  In order to reduce the total population, current harvest levels would have to be increased beyond their historic maximum levels, which seems unlikely, or another means of reduction will have to be found. The existing harvest structure is doing little to curb the population growth.

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       Site last updated Wednesday, February 13, 2008