Mackenzie Bison Population
The Mackenzie bison population is the largest healthy, free-roaming bison population found in northern Canada. Established in 1963, the herd grew rapidly. In 1987 it had reached in excess of 1700 bison. Since then, population growth has slowed and according to a March 2000 survey, has stabilized at about 2000 bison. Several mortality factors have contributed to this stabilization in numbers, specifically an anthrax outbreak in 1993 killed 172 bison and in 1989, 177 bison fell through thin spring ice and were drowned.
Since 1993, multiple prairies have been burned in accordance with a 10-year Prescribed Burning Plan. The goal of this plan was to improve bison habitat throughout their range.
The herd occupies a wilderness area of approximately 20,000 km2 ranging from the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence north to the community of Rae-Edzo. Their range has expanded west of the highway to include both the Mills and Mink lake areas.
Economic Use
Hunting of the Mackenzie Bison Population was first permitted in 1987-88 when 20 permits were issued to harvest male bison. This quota was increased to 40 in 1991 and to 60 in 1992. As a result of an anthrax outbreak in 1993, the quota was reduced to 44, but in 1994 was increased to 47.
The current tag allocation is: Fort Providence = 20, Rae-Edzo = 3, Resident Limited Entry Draw = 15 and non-resident trophy hunts = 9 (outfitter required). Any person holding a tag to harvest wood bison must complete an orientation course designed to educate the hunter about hunting safety and sex identification of bison. After receiving a bison tag, a resident is not eligible to apply for the next two hunting seasons.
| Harvest Year |
Fort Providence |
Limited Entry Draw |
Rae |
Non-resident |
Total Harvested |
Quota |
| 87-88 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
- |
4 |
20 |
| 88-89 |
8 |
9 |
3 |
- |
20 |
40 |
| 89-90 |
11 |
11 |
4 |
- |
26 |
40 |
| 90-91 |
11 |
12 |
5 |
- |
28 |
40 |
| 91-92 |
15 |
14 |
0 |
- |
29 |
40 |
| 92-93 |
23 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
44 |
60 |
| 93-94 |
13 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
26 |
44 |
| 94-95 |
12 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
26 |
47 |
| 95-96 |
20 |
13 |
2 |
1 |
36 |
47 |
| 96-97 |
20 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
33 |
47 |
| 97-98 |
19 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
37 |
47 |
| 98-99 |
18 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
35 |
47 |
| 99-00 |
19 |
12 |
3 |
0 |
34 |
47 |
| 00-01 |
20 |
12 |
0 |
8 |
40 |
47 |
| 01-02 |
20 |
14 |
1 |
9 |
44 |
47 |
| 02-03 |
20 |
15 |
3 |
6 |
44 |
47 |
Management
The Mackenzie bison population represents the first successful transplant of healthy wood bison into historic range and the population is free of cattle diseases that plague remnant herds in the Slave River Lowlands and Wood Buffalo National Park. The goals of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are to manage the Mackenzie herd and its habitat in order to maintain a healthy bison population; to allow for the wise use of some surplus animals for subsistence, resident and trophy hunting opportunities; and to minimize the risk of infection of the herd with tuberculosis and brucellosis. Non-consumptive use of bison is also a priority. This includes increasing public awareness of the bison and creating opportunities for tourists, photographers, and others to see and appreciate this magnificent animal in its natural environment.
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