Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Yukon gov't work to increase moose population

A Yukon First Nation, concerned thatmoose populations may bein decline in southwest Yukon, has partnered with the territorial government to help the numbers recover.

Steve Smith, chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and anavid hunter,says it's getting harder to harvest a moose in his traditional territory.

He says the lack of moose in the region has forced some hunters, including himself, to look elsewhere. Last year, his family hunted inKaskatraditional territory.

"My family and myself,thankfully and very gratefully,we were allowed and given permission by theKaskaNation to hunt," Smith said.

Environment Yukonsurvey numbers showed a 40 per cent drop in the Alsek moose populationbetween 1998 and 2008.

Smith says the data, along withtraditional knowledge from elders and citizenswho say they're having unsuccessful hunts,has not madehim very optimistic about the health of the Alsek population.

New survey results on the way

Shawn Taylor,a biologist with Environment Yukon, said new survey results will be out soon and officials are hopeful that the numbers have improved.

Hesays the decline in past years could be attributed to hunters who wereable to get to moose pastures, miles from roads or trails, with all terrain vehicles.

"Since the early 80s, we've seen problems with machines being able to more easily access the back country," he said.

Smith agrees that's been a problem. The First Nationhasalso banned harvesting cow mooseas part of itsWildlife Act. Smith says that has been in place for more than 10 years.

Also, the Yukon government started a pilot program last year to help with the Alsekmoose recovery.This year they will contribute $50,000 to the First Nation as part of a three-year funding agreement, totaling $174,000.

No plans for a wolf cull

Smith says despite the lower numbers of moose, the First Nation is not considering a wolf cull, as was done in the past to boost caribou populations.Smith says there are other options that might help bring up moose populations, such as helping trappers bring down the number of wolves on their traplines.

The First Nationisusing this year's funding to hire a project co-ordinator to educate trappers in the Alsek area.

Smith also said that if moose numbers remain low, there could be ahunting moratorium in areas where moose are easy prey for hunters.

The two governments are also working on a harvest managementstrategyfor the preservation of moose populations in the region.