Manuscript Report 168

168. Larter N.C. and D. Allaire. 2006. Mackenzie Mountain Non-resident and Non-resident Alien Hunter Harvest Summary 2005. 62 pp

ABSTRACT

Each of the 8 licensed outfitters and Renewable Resource Officers from the Sahtu and Dehcho Regions, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), collected data on big game harvest in the Mackenzie Mountains during the 2005 hunting season. Harvest data and observations of wildlife from non-resident and non-resident alien hunters (collectively called ‘non-resident’ for this report) were recorded. For 2005, non-resident licences were bought by 394 hunters. This is the greatest annual number of licences sold to non-resident hunters to date. From 1991 to 2004 between 321 and 387 non-resident licences were sold annually. Hunters (n=325) from outside Canada (non-resident aliens) were primarily from the USA (n=291) and comprised 82% of the outfitted hunters; 14 of the 26 European hunters were from Germany. There were 69 Canadian hunters (18%) from outside the Northwest Territories (NWT) (non-residents). Of the 394 non-resident licence holders, 372 came to the NWT and most spent at least some time hunting. Of 246 tags purchased for Dall’s sheep, 203 rams were harvested (including 2 by resident hunters). The average annual harvest of rams over the past 15 years has been 197.4. The average age of harvested rams was 10.2 + 1.9 years; the 18^th consecutive year the average age of harvested rams from the Mackenzie Mountains has been 9.5 years or older. Hunters reported seeing an average of 9.6 legal rams (horns at least ¾ curl) during their hunts and observed an estimated 51.3 lambs and 98.0 rams per 100 ewes, respectively. This is the highest ram:ewe ratio reported compared with a mean of 84:100 during 1995-2004. Of 285 tags purchased for mountain woodland caribou, 160 bull caribou were harvested. Hunters observed an estimated 42.4 caribou calves and 41.6 bulls per 100 adult female caribou, respectively. Of the 101 tags purchased for moose, 74 bull moose were harvested. This is the greatest harvest of moose recorded; from 1991-2004 the average annual moose harvest was 46 (range 32-55). However this was also the year with the greatest number of licences sold. Hunters observed an estimated 32.5 moose calves and 110.2 bulls per 100 adult female moose, respectively. Of the 40 tags purchased for mountain goat, 18 goats were harvested; 16 billies and 2 nannies. This is the greatest harvest of mountain goats recorded; from 1991-2004 the average annual mountain goat harvest was 4 (range 1-9), but this year had the highest number of licenses sold. Hunters observed an estimated 66.0 goat kids and 50.4 billies per 100 adult nannies. Nineteen wolves were harvested from 214 tags purchased, the greatest harvest of wolves recorded. From 1991-2004 the average annual wolf harvest was 13 (range 7-18). One wolverine was harvested from 154 tags purchased. The number of wolverines observed by hunters in 2005 was similar to 2004 and during 1995-1999, being up substantially from years 2000-2003. All observed wolverines were alone this year, no family groups were seen. No black bears were harvested from 40 tags purchased. There has been no grizzly bear hunting season for non-residents since 1982. Hunter satisfaction remains high, with 97% of respondents rating their experience as either excellent (90%) or very good (7%). A number of hunters made specific comments about the high quality hunting experience and the abundance of wildlife in the Mackenzie Mountains. Of 256 respondents, 42% indicated that they would like to return in future years and 34% were repeat clients, returning for their 2nd to 19th hunt in the Mackenzie Mountains. Unfortunately the percentage of Voluntary Hunter  Observation Forms returned was 65% which was down from 2004. At least 9700 kg of wild game meat, mostly moose and caribou, was reported distributed locally in 2005. Replacement cost of meat from local northern retailers is conservatively about $200,000.