IQALUIT - Members of the Amarok Hunter and Trappers Organization might be able to hunt more polar bears this year because they have gotten credits by staying under the quota in previous years.

The Amarok Hunter and Trappers Organization might be able to hunt 33 polar bears this year. This is 10 more bears than usual. The additional allocation is because the HTO has saved up credits. This photo of a bear was taken in the Davis Strait during a survey in 2007. - photo courtesy of Department of Environment

"Looking at the past, we've never met the annual quota," said David Alexander, vice-chairman of the HTO.

In October, the HTO asked for 18 additional credits.

The HTO is potentially getting 10 additional credits bringing the number of bears they can hunt this year up to 33 bears.

This includes the base allocation of 23 bears -- 16 males and seven females.

The Department of the Environment said it supports the decision but approval still needs to come from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.

"This doesn't happen very often," said Chris Hotson, assistant director wildlife operations, Department of Environment.

He said the current population estimate for polar bears in the Davis Strait is 2,366 bears based on a survey done from 2005 to 2007.

Hotson added the population of bears has increased since the 1970s, held steady in the early 2000s and is now in decline.

He said the HTO request first went to the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board, which approved the use of 10 credits.

Credits can be built up over a period of years until a new total allowable harvest or quota has been set.

Hotson said every 15 years, a population inventory is set which helps determine a new estimate of the number of bears and a new quota.

"This could happen as soon as this year," he said.

A round of community consultations is scheduled to begin by the end of January for the three communities on the Davis Strait.

In 2010, the HTO was given 10 male tags and eight female tags.

For following the rules, the HTO in Iqaluit is being rewarded.

If an HTO over harvests one female, Hotson said it can cost three bears in the following year – one male and two females – to compensate.

Often the regional wildlife organizations are given floating tags and can disperse them as they please to the HTOs if they go over their quota.

The 2011 hunt opened on Jan.1.

"It was supposed to start but due to no ice there's no one who has gone out," Alexander said.

He estimates if the warm weather continues hunters won't be able to go out onto the ice until the first or second week of February.

As for how the HTO decides who will get a tag, that is up to the members of the board. A ballot system is also used.

"We're trying to keep our members happy within the quota system," said Alexander.

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