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Yukon Bison Management Plan
Action Schedule, 1998/1999 to 2002/2003
Herd Size and Range
Status:
The herd grew from 170 in 1992 to 300 in 1997. It is increasing at 15-20%
per year. Range expansion was southward rather than west as expected.
| Concern:
How do we keep track of the
size and range of the herd?
Actions taken during planning year (1997/98):
Put 6-8 collars on
bison |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Increase to 20 radio collars and begin survey (elaboration)
|
1998/1999 |
YDRR |
| Establish an on-the-land bison monitoring system
(elaboration)
|
1998/1999 |
CAFN |
| Maintain 20 radio collars and survey |
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003 |
YDRR |
| Maintain on-the-land bison monitoring system |
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003 |
CAFN |
| Re-evaluate target of 500 for bison population |
2000/2001
|
YDRR, CAFN, LSCFN |
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Hunting
Status:
Hunting has not been permitted since the bison were released.
| Concern:
How do we allocate, regulate
and monitor hunting?
Actions taken during planning year (1997/98):
Harvest 6 bison |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Harvest XX bison according to harvest
strategy (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003 |
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Ecosystem Impacts
Status:
Reintroduction of bison will have impacts on an ecosystem that has evolved
without them for several hundred years.
| Concern:
What impacts are the bison
having on the ecosystem and what will happen in the future?
Actions taken during planning year (1997/98):
Develop study proposal for
bison impacts (YFGA, YDRR) |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Begin Bison Impacts Study (elaboration)
|
1998/1999 |
YDRR |
| Continue Bison Impacts Study |
1999/20009 |
YDRR |
| Summarize Bison Impacts Study for re-evaluation
of population target |
2000/2001 |
YDRR |
| Continue Bison Impacts Study and Carrying Capacity
Study if required |
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
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Highway
Status:
Bison were on the Alaska Highway by 1989. In 1992, the Minister ordered removal
of 36 to a game farm, 13 others were killed in traffic accidents and removals.
| Concern:
Bison are a traffic hazard
on the Alaska Highway.
Actions taken during planning year (1997/98):
Develop highway contingency
plan as part of harvest strategy |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Address problem bison as part of harvest
strategy (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
| Look into modifying highway environment to deter
bison (elaboration)
|
1998/1999 |
YDRR, YFWMB, YFGA |
| Work on modifying highway environment to deter bison
|
1999/2000 |
YDRR, YFWMB, YFGA |
| Continue work on modifying highway environment to
deter bison |
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR, YFWMB, YFGA |
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Commercial Use
Status:
Owing to their present rarity, Wood bison are valuable for sale or trade.
By agreement with the bison ranch, a number of animals will eventually be
transferred to the Yukon government.
| Concern:
Ranch-raised bison will not
be needed to increase the wild population. |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Offer ranch-raised bison to other ranches or recovery
programs (elaboration)
|
2002/2003 |
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Genetics
Status:
Yukon bison come from 24 ancestors and therefore have limited genetic ability
to adapt.
| Concern:
Yukon bison need a greater
genetic repertoire to survive well in the subarctic. |
Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Trade bison with N.W.T. as appropriate or consider
artificial insemination from N.W.T. bison (elaboration)
|
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003 |
YDRR |
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Disease
Status:
Yukon bison are disease free. Bison can get tuberculosis, brucellosis and
anthrax.
| Concern:
Yukon bison must be kept disease
free.
Actions taken during planning year (1997/98):
Test collared and harvested
animals for disease (elaboration) |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Test collared and harvested animals for disease
(elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
| Test all imported game farm animals and appropriate
livestock for disease (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
| Ensure bison traded from N.W.T. are disease free
(elaboration)
|
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
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Interpretive Programs
Status:
Bison tolerate humans and are highly visible. They therefore have good tourism
and education potential.
| Concern:
Yukon public and tourists
are unaware of bison history and viewing opportunities. |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Inform public about areas where bison can be seen
and look into establishing a Bison Viewing Zone (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
| Produce information about bison for school programs
and the general public (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
| Look into ways of involving students in bison management
(elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
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Habitat Protection
Status:
Most Yukon bison habitat is not of good quality so bison must exist as small
groups rather than large herds. Good quality bison habitat is quite rare in
the Yukon.
| Concern:
Key bison habitat must be
protected. Competition with other species must be studied. People
are concerned about expanding bison range. |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Locate key bison habitat through the Bison Impacts
Study (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
|
YDRR |
| Document competition and range expansion through
the Bison Impacts Study (elaboration)
|
1998/1999
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
| Designate important bison areas as special habitats
where appropriate (elaboration)
|
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
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Compensation Policy
Status:
Current compensation for bison and elk damage is available to agricultural
land owners along the Alaska Highway.
| Concern:
Bison can damage fences, livestock
feed and property. |
| Actions: |
When: |
Who: |
| Look into making compensation policy for bison available
to other Yukon residents (elaboration)
|
1998/1999 |
YDRR |
| Maintain compensation policy for Yukon residents
|
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
|
YDRR |
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