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Big Game: Wood Bison
Bison were reintroduced to the Yukon in the late 1980s as part of the national Wood Bison Recovery Program. The species was common throughout the Yukon 2,000 to 3,000 years ago and was present in local areas as recently as 400 to 500 years ago. A range reconnaissance study carried out in the early 1980s identified the Nisling River watershed as the best bison range in the southern Yukon, with a carrying capacity of at least 400 animals.
Between 1988 and 1992, 170 bison were released in the Nisling River valley. Since then the herd has grown to over 400 animals and expanded its range into the Aishihik, Sekulmun and Hutshi Lakes watersheds.
The bison management plan calls for a herd size of about 500 animals. The herd now numbers about 700 animals and appears to be slowly growing.
Since wolves have not yet learned how to prey on bison, hunting is the primary means of limiting the herd size. Without hunting, the herd would grow at a rate of 15-20% per year.
Bison hunting by permit started in 1998. In the 2005-06 season 25 females and 47 males were taken. It is hoped that hunters will focus their efforts on harvesting female to regulate herd growth.
The Yukon wood bison herd is now providing meat hunters with an alternative to moose in the southern Yukon. A large bull can weigh 1000 kg (2,200 lb.) on the hoof but much of this weight is made up of viscera and head. An average adult cow weighs about 450 to 630 kg (1000 to 1400 lb.).
Bison were easy to approach when hunting first began. Now however, they have expanded their range and are wary of people. A successful hunt now requires more time and effort.