ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD - Officials with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are proposing an increase in the bison harvest as a way to manage problem bison around Fort Liard.

The number of bison tags available in Fort Liard will increase from one to six yearly if a proposal from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, aimed at keeping the animals out of the community, is enacted. - NNSL file photo

Officials with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are proposing an increase in the bison harvest as a way to manage problem bison around Fort Liard.

The department currently has one tag available for the community that a resident can apply for and use after receiving permission from Acho Dene Koe First Nation.

The department is willing to increase the tag allowance to six a year and remove the restriction that requires a tag be used within five days of being issued, said Carl Lafferty, the department's regional superintendent for the Deh Cho.

Lafferty discussed the idea during a community meeting in Fort Liard on Nov. 3. The purpose of the meeting was to find interim solutions for keeping bison out of the community until the draft Bison Management Strategy is prepared, he said.

The ongoing bison situation in the hamlet has been receiving attention recently.

On Nov. 2, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche questioned Michael Miltenberger, minister of Environment and Natural Resources, in the legislative assembly on what support the government is giving residents of Fort Liard in relation to bison.

Menicoche said he continually hears complaints from constituents about bison destroying trees and fences and damaging vehicles and property.

"Residents are frustrated enough they don't want them there anymore," said Menicoche.

Menicoche was also aware of an incident this summer of when a bison killed a dog.

In August, Dianne Nelson and her husband Ken Nowoselski were walking their dog Radar on the truck bypass road in Fort Liard. Radar wasn't on a leash and when he saw a small group of bison he moved forward and barked at them, said Nelson.

Normally the bison would look at him or slowly move off, she said.

This time was different.

One of the animals, a young bison with straight horns, moved quickly and gored the dog.

"We were so shocked we just stood there for a second before we realized what happened," Nelson said.

As Nelson ran towards him Radar took a few steps, dropped to the ground and quickly bled out from his wound. Nelson, who has lived in the community for nine years and has seen children teasing and chasing bison, said the incident made her wonder what else can happen if people aren't cautious.

"Obviously they're far more dangerous that we thought," she said.

Herds numbering between 20 and 25 animals have been coming into the community, said Nelson, adding they are larger herds than usual.

"It's gotten to the point it's getting a little hard on the people in the hamlet," she said.

Lafferty is confident increasing the total allowable bison harvest, which will take a wildlife

legislation amendment, will address the issue of bison entering the hamlet and help prevent future incidents.

"This whole situation I believe can be resolved if Fort Liard is issued six tags," he said.

The idea was originally proposed in 2008 but was not moved forward. In addition to increasing tag numbers the proposal includes the recommendation that if residents of Fort Liard or Nahanni Butte, which also has one tag, don't want to use them they should be given to holders of general hunting licenses from other Deh Cho communities who receive permission from the Fort Liard band.

If bison were hunted within close proximity of the hamlet the herds would learn not to enter the community, said Lafferty.

He pointed to the example of Fort Smith where people harvest bison and the animals remain outside of the community.

"I think the community could solve their own problems,"

said Lafferty, referring to Fort Liard.

The department will be working with Acho Dene Koe First Nation to get more information to band members on how to access the tags. Participants at the community meeting suggested lack of information had been a barrier in the

past. Only one tag has been used within approximately the last seven years.

Lafferty plans to travel to Nahanni Butte in the near future to also discuss interim solutions for bison management. The department would like to support the community in hunting the animals, he said.

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