Yellowknife (Sep 10/04) - As the days grow shorter and the darkness lingers, the Department of Transportation is once again warning motorists to watch for bison on the highways.

Two recent collisions near Fort Providence spurred the department to erect an electronic warning sign at the Mackenzie River ferry crossing. Conventional signs have also gone up on NWT highways.

In 2002, there were 14 collisions between cars and bison on Highway 3. On Halloween night last year a truck driver hit eight bison on Highway 3 near Fort Providence.

Bob Kelly, communications manager with the Department of Transportation, said the rate of accidents increases "sharply" between late August and November because daylight is decreasing and there may not be snow for contrast.

To date, he said, there have been no human fatalities due to collisions with the bison.

Cpl. Rob Harkin of the Fort Providence RCMP urged drivers to slow down, especially at night.

"That's when it's most dangerous; you don't see them until you're right on top of them," Harkin said.

Janet Robinson, Risks Manager with RTL Robinson Enterprises, said that truck drivers with the company are always on the lookout at this time of year.

"As soon as it starts to get dark it's a problem. (Bison) seem to absorb headlights and you can't see them."

Robinson added that bison populations seem to be moving along Highway 3 toward Yellowknife.

In 2003, a committee was struck between the department of Transportation and the department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to discuss possible solutions to the bison problem. Options studied included behaviour modification either by scare tactics or by creating an alternate area the bison might prefer, or by changing the vegetation along the highway to remove plants that attract the animals.

At the time, it was reported that any recommendations would be acted upon this summer, but there was no immediate solution reached by the committee.

"One of things we've concluded at this point is probably that it's more productive to try to influence the drivers' behaviour than the bisons'," said Bob Kelly.

Kelly added that data collected during a study last winter are still being analyzed and matched up with bison sightings and all available options are still under review. The committee has been looking at animal control programs throughout North America for ideas and is also considering new technologies for bison control.

Kelly said the possibly of altering roadside vegetation is still being examined.

"Nothing has really been thrown out (as a possible solution). We're going to consider anything within reason to address this problem," Kelly said.

Additionally, the committee held consultations with people in the communities and formed a partnership with the Fort Providence Resource Management Board.

Kelly said that community respondents "came by and large to the general view that concentrating on the drivers would be more productive for the time being."

"The message," Kelly said, "is still just 'slow down'."

-- with files from Derek Neary