Yellowknife (June 13/03) - NWT hunting outfitters say they could be one more causality to add to the list if an American ban on beef imports continues.

Hunting outfitter Boyd Warner says he's worried "mad caribou disease" will drive off American clients. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Because the U.S. ban covers all ungulates -- hoofed animals -- American hunters visiting the NWT will not be able to bring caribou meat back with them.

Outfitters fear the export ban will dissuade hunters from making a trip across the border but instead go to Alaska where bringing home caribou meat has not been outlawed.

The beef ban was ordered after a single cow in Alberta was found last month to be carrying bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more popularly known as mad cow disease.

Boyd Warner, owner of Adventure Northwest, said his outfitting company has not experienced any cancellations but its phone has been ringing off the hook from concerned clients south of the border.

"Most of our hunters would leave with at least 60 pounds of meat for sure, and some of them come specifically for that," said Warner, who attended a meeting with other outfitters Monday to talk about the potential crisis.

"All outfitters are very concerned. What are we going to do if we start getting all sorts of cancellations? And they say: We're not going to come."

Warner said he has been notified that American hunters can bring back bones, skulls and antlers as long as they have been boiled and bleached beforehand.

But there's so much confusion out there, he said, that some hunters and U.S. tourism offices were led to believe the ban is total -- meaning they can't bring back any animal parts.

"I haven't had any cancellations yet but it could lead to it," said Jim Peterson, owner of Peterson's Point Lake Lodge. "A lot of the hunters want the trophies but they also want to take the meat back with them."

Jim Antoine, minister of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, said the government has talked about possible compensation for outfitters affected by the mad cow scare but remains hopeful another solution might be found.

"We talked about it, but because the hunting season is not until July we are still hoping it won't come to that," said Antoine.

"Not all hunters take back meat with them ... If there is a problem, we can arrange temporary storage, even for meat."

Warner, however, said providing temporary storage for hunters would likely do little to change their minds if they decide not to come, especially if the ban goes on for a year or more.

"It would be like me going down for a deer hunt in North Dakota, and okay, I can shoot a deer but I can't bring my horns home, my cape, or any meat home," said Warner.

"I have to leave it with a U.S. taxidermist? How would I feel about that?"

with files from Yose Cormier