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The Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and the Department of Environment encourage Yukon residents to review and comment on a draft elk management strategy. Written comments on the strategy should be provided to the board by Monday, October 15.
The management strategy's main recommendations call for elk to be maintained at current population levels, until steps are implemented to address human concerns and improved information on population size, range use, range carrying capacity, and effects on other wildlife species is gathered. It also recommends a limited harvest.
The call for a new elk management strategy came in 2004 when the board asked the Yukon government to review previous management plans for the Takhini Valley and Hutshi/Nordenskiold (Braeburn) herds.
A planning team with representatives from the board, renewable resources councils, First Nations, Yukon government departments, and non-government organizations representing game growers, the agriculture industry, hunters and outfitters was brought together in 2005 to begin work on the strategy.
Copies of the strategy are available for pick-up at: Environment Yukon Conservation Officer Services and Renewable Resources Council offices in the communities; the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board office at 106 Main Street in Whitehorse; the Yukon Agriculture Branch office in the Elijah Smith Building in Whitehorse; and the Yukon Government Administration Building on Second Avenue.
The report is also available for viewing or downloading from the Yukon Fish and Widlife Management Board's website at http://www.yfwmb.yk.ca/.
The board will host community meetings in Carmacks, Haines Junction and Whitehorse in late September to provide a further opportunity for public input.
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