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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
In the fallout of the worst anthrax outbreak in recorded NWT history, the territorial Department of Environment and Natural resources has called off the upcoming bison hunt for resident hunters and outfitters. Also, there is a possibility that tags given to various aboriginal communities within the bison range will also be rescinded.

Chief Clifford Daniels of Behchoko said some of his staff were notified of the possibility that the community tags would be eliminated.

"As of now, the suggestion is that there is a possibility for no hunt," he said.

Daniels said he has seen more people interested in harvesting bison for meat in recent years, which he thinks is partly because people are developing a liking for the taste of the meat, and partly because of harvest limits on the Bathurst caribou herd.

"We can't do too much about it," he said. "I think people were developing a taste for the bison, more people were getting interested in having access to those tags and now suddenly, due to this incident, it's not going to happen."

The cancelled resident hunt was scheduled to begin on Sept. 1 and run through to March 15, 2013. Yellowknife resident Zabrina Deans received one of the 15 limited-entry-draw tags that were drawn in late June.

"It's too bad," she said last week. "I was excited."

It would have been Deans' first time hunting in the territory. She had planned to go out with her husband, Keith, and several other family members.

Late last month, the Deans were notified by voicemail and then through a signed letter that the hunt had been called off because of the amount of bison who died during an anthrax outbreak this summer. They were informed that they could return their tag for a full refund and would be given first priority whenever the hunt is resumed.

Since June, 440 bison carcasses have been found within the Mackenzie Bison Range, according to department spokesperson Judy McLinton.

When the herd was surveyed in March of this year, it was estimated that it was about 1,440 animals strong, she said. Since it is likely that there are more carcasses that weren't found, ENR is estimating that one-third of the herd perished this summer from the environmental disease.

"We've got to look at options to help that herd recover from the population losses," said McLinton.

So far, all 15 tags for resident hunters and nine outfitting tags have been rescinded.

As far as the aboriginal harvest is concerned, the department is in talks with managing partners - such as the governments of the aboriginal groups that would be affected - to determine the best way to move forward, she said.

At press time, no carcasses had been found in weeks, and the outbreak was considered over, said McLinton. Any animals who were infected with anthrax spores this summer died, she said, which means all of the remaining animals are healthy and would be safe to eat.

"If they had anthrax, they died," said McLinton. "The anthrax (outbreak) is over."

Daniels said that if the hunt was cancelled completely, there would likely be mixed reaction, but most people should understand that the herd needs time to recover.

"These things do happen, it's just Mother Nature," said Daniels. "We have to deal with what it gives us as best as possible, and that's about it."

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