LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - As part of an effort to address complaints about bison in Fort Liard, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is proposing to increase the bison quota in the hamlet.

Currently one tag for a male bison is available yearly. Suggested changes would increase this number to six males every year, said Paul Kraft, the superintendent for Environment and Natural Resources in the Deh Cho region.

Environment and Natural Resources staff say that changes to the bison quota could deter herds, like this one that gathered around the road into Fort Liard near the department's offices in the fall, from coming into the hamlet. - NNSL file photo

The proposal was made following a request from the hamlet council. Last year the hamlet was contacted by the department's minister who asked if they'd be interested in increasing the quota. In March 2007, the hamlet replied that they were interested in the idea, Kraft said.

Increasing the quota could help to address the problems that some residents have had with the bison, said Kraft. Complaints have included damaged property, destroyed trees, broken fences and dented vehicles. A safety concern has also been raised as a result of the bison that continually gather in the hamlet.

If bison are hunted near the hamlet it could deter them from coming into the area, said Kraft.

"We know a hunted population tends to stay away from areas they're hunted in," he said.

"It's not a guarantee, but it will have an impact."

Kraft cautioned that they're not encouraging people to hunt the animals inside the community.

In addition to increasing the quota, the department is also suggesting four other changes to the big game hunting regulations as they apply to Fort Liard.

Currently the regulations say that a tag can only be held for five days. If the holder doesn't get a bison in that time they have to give the tag back. The suggestion is to remove this restriction in Fort Liard and place the decision in the hands of the band, said Kraft.

The restriction is in place so that tags are used and not stored away, he said.

"We thought maybe they should have the flexibility for deciding that," said Kraft.

The second proposed change is to the department's minister's powers to set the dates that the five hunting days fall on. This power would also be given to the Acho Dene Koe First Nations, said Kraft.

The closed season for wood bison from March 16 to June 14 would also be eliminated because hunting males won't have an impact on calving, said Kraft.

The final proposed change is to remove the restriction that only a general hunting licence holder living in Fort Liard can have a tag. If that is removed, the band would have the power to give a tag to a person with a general hunting licence that lives outside of the community.

"It's just an option," said Kraft.

Put together, the proposed changes are designed to allow more flexibility, he said.

All of the changes would also apply to Nahanni Butte but the quota in that community wouldn't change because they haven't expressed an interest in raising their numbers, said Kraft.

With the proposals in place both the band and the hamlet are being asked for their input.

"Maybe it's not what they want but we'll find that out," he said.

Kraft said he hopes to hear back from both parties within the next month although there is no specific timeline for the process. If an agreement is reached, a final legislation proposal would be sent through the justice department before going to the legislative assembly for approval.

The hamlet council is still interested in seeing changes made to the quota, said Wayne Newbury, the hamlet's mayor.

"There needs to be something done, that's for sure," he said.

Newbury said the council hasn't heard the proposed changes yet, but would like improvements in how the animals are controlled.

The newly-elected council is aware of the issues surrounding bison and discussed them at their first council meeting on Jan. 10, said Newbury.

Chief Harry Deneron isn't convinced that a change in the quota would make any difference.

"The band isn't interested in an increase or a decrease or anything," said Deneron.

Increasing the quota wouldn't solve the problem, he said.

"Even if we increased it to 10 it wouldn't do anything," Deneron said.

The bison are uncontrollable and people are starting to get fed up, he said.

Over the weekend Deneron himself was the victim of bison when they took an interest in his truck, resulting in a broken mirror. It will cost $280 to fix the mirror and it's situations like that when people want solutions for, he said.

An answer needs to be found before something more serious happens, said Deneron.

"One of these days someone is going to get hurt," he said.