LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - As of Sept. 1, the moose hunting season has officially started, which invites a very important reminder from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - don't waste any meat.

"Any kind of meat that might be edible that (hunters) don't think they want to use, I bet you that if they bring it back to town the band office will be glad to take it and pass it on to those who are a little less fortunate," said Carl Lafferty, the manager of wildlife and environment in the Deh Cho.

Carl Lafferty, manager of wildlife and environment in the Deh Cho for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, left, and George Tsetso, a renewable resource officer, stand outside their truck in Fort Simpson near the Visitors' Centre on Tuesday. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

Lafferty said all hunters must be licensed and have their hunting licences with them at all times while out harvesting meat on the land.

"The wastage issue is the one that's most offensive," said Lafferty.

"When people are out on the land, knowing full well that there are families that are unable to go and harvest moose themselves, and they're out in the bush and they see a tremendous amount of wastage, it really rubs them the wrong way."

Lafferty said residents of the Deh Cho region are among the most passionate about wastage issues that he knows of, and when wasted meat is found, the issue is usually reported and dealt with very quickly.

"If someone were to be caught, I would issue a summons and (the offenders) could challenge it in court," said Lafferty, adding the resulting fine on conviction would be $575.

Lafferty said some of the commonly wasted parts of the body are the head, the organs, the backstraps and the neck bones, all of which are edible and would be welcome if brought back to the community.

The neck bones, for instance, contain a lot of meat that people could use for things like soup.

As well, Lafferty said the biologist at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Fort Simpson would appreciate a few items if hunters would be able to bring them in to the office for the biologist to study.

The parts the department is interested in receiving are moose pellets, ankle bones, teeth and lower jaws of the moose.

The hunting season is on until Dec. 31.