Bluenose-East Herd
Barren-ground caribou that occupy the area of northern NWT and western Nunavut, are considered to part of the Bluenose caribou herd. Their population numbers remained relatively low during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. In the mid 1980’s, herd numbers began increasing steadily and in 1992, when the last survey was done on the Bluenose population as one herd, their population was estimated to be approximately 122,000 caribou.
Analyses of distribution information documented during surveys done between 1966 and 1993 using a computerized geographic information system (GIS) indicated that there were three distinct calving and two rutting areas within the Bluenose range.
The results of satellite tracking and genetic studies completed between 1996 and 2003 confirmed the hypothesis that there are three distinct herds that use different seasonal ranges (calving and especially rutting). These genetically distinct herds are the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West and Bluenose-East herds, and as of the year 2000, have been censused as distinct herds.
In 2005, a population survey of the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and Bluenose East barren-ground caribou herds showed populations had declined significantly since the 2000 estimates.
The Bluenose-East herd calving grounds are located in the area of the Rae and Richardson rivers west of Kugluktuk, NU. The post calving range of the herd includes this area and south to Dismal Lake, west to Bluenose Lake and north to the Arctic Coast. In late summer the herd migrates south-westward to the area around Caribou Point on Great Bear Lake. The herd ruts and winters in the area north, east, and south of Great Bear Lake.
The Bluenose-East herd was first censused as a distinct herd in 2000. A photocensus was completed in early July 2000. Caribou that occupied the range of the Bluenose-East herd prior to 2000 were not censused effectively and, as a result, there are not data to determine population trend.
In 2000 the Bluenose-East herd was estimated at approximately 104,000 (range 84,412 - 126,100) non-calf caribou. Another photocensus was completed during the summer of 2005. The results of this census showed the Bluenose-East herd had declined to 66,600 animals. A photocensus survey, completed in July 2006, confirmed herd size at an estimated 66,200.
| Year |
Population Estimate (non calf) |
Range (95% CI) |
| 2000 |
104,000 |
84,410 - 126,100 |
| 2005 |
66,600 |
62,200 - 70,970 |
| 2006 |
66,186 |
62,625 - 69,747 |
Harvest Levels
The majority of the Bluenose harvest is carried out by the residents of Kugluktuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Ft. Good Hope and Paulatuk. Residents of Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and Aklavik also harvest from the Bluenose herd when they cannot access the Porcupine herd.
In response to decreasing herd numbers, the co-management boards and Government of the Northwest Territories are working together to implement measures to conserve the herds. Currently the harvest of the Bluenose herds is restricted to subsistence harvesters for the Wildlife Management Areas S/BC/01 and S/BC/03 as of September 15, 2006.
|