Yukon Conservation Officer Services
10 Burns Road Y1A 4Y9 Whitehorse, YT, Canada

Upcoming hunter education courses: Hunter education for women Tuesday, January 19 6 to 9 p.m.... Vista Outdoor Learning Centre with instructor Maya Poirier French hunter education Thursday, January 21 6 to 9 p.m. Virtual with instructor Maya Poirier Hunter education (English) Tuesday, January 19 6 to 9 p.m. Virtual with instructor Jim Welsh Call 867-667-8005 to register. Visit Yukon.ca/hunter-education for more information.

Keep these tips in mind when hunting bison this winter, and ensure you fire your best shot: 1. Be certain of your skill with your rifle and your ability to cleanly kill a bison. If you can’t hit the heart/lung area well, don’t shoot. Avoid long distance shots and poor angle... shots. 2. Remember that the kill zone on bison is much lower than on other species because of their hump. Don’t shoot too high. The vital organs are all below the base of the horns. 3. Head shots made from a distance are not effective. Shoot from as close a range as possible and aim for the heart/lung target area. An animal standing broadside will give you the best shot. Be cautious about deflections and ricochets off heavy bone. Learn more: https://yukon.ca/en/hunt-wisely-bison

Bison season is here and we are seeing large numbers of people on the land attempting to harvest a bison. When hunting, make your shot count: - Wait for the right shot if you can’t hit the heart or lung area, don’t shoot. Watch the video below to learn more about the vital zone. - Look for a bison that’s separate from the herd. Remember that wounded bison may rejoin the herd and be difficult to find.... - After you shoot, make sure the bison is dead: approach with caution from the spine-side and have a follow-up shot ready in case it gets up. - Make sure you meet the firearm and ammunition requirements for bison (you’ll find the details in your copy of the hunting regulations booklet). Learn more about hunting bison here: https://yukon.ca/en/bison-hunt#get-a-bison-hunt-permit

HEED course offering Want to get out and hunt this winter? If you were born after April 1, 1987, you need to take the Hunter Education and Ethics Development (HEED) course first. The next session is coming up soon.... DATE: Tuesday, January 19 TIME: 6 to 9 p.m. LOCATION: Virtual You'll need to complete the online part of the course first. To register, or for more information, call 867-667-8005 or visit Yukon.ca/hunter-education

The bear that Conservation Officers were tracking near Kathleen Lake was euthanized on December 31. The bear was old and emaciated with worn-out teeth and injured legs. We are no longer advising that Yukoners avoid the Kathleen Lake area. However, we would like to once again remind Yukoners that bears can be active year-round, and bears like these that are in poor health may be dangerous. Make sure to manage your attractants, and carry bear spray while recreating outdoors.

Want to improve your hunting skills? Take the Hunter Education and Ethics Development (HEED) course. Born after April 1, 1987? You'll need to complete this course before you can get a hunting licence. We're offering two sessions this month - one in English, and one in French.... English with Jim Welsh: Wednesday, November 25 6 to 9 p.m., location TBD French with Maya Poirier: Thursday, November 26 6 to 9 p.m., location TBD To register, call 867-667-8005. You need to complete the online part of the course before the in-class session. Learn more: https://yukon.ca/en/hunter-education

Don’t forget if you had a successful harvest in October, you need to submit your report by November 15. Due to concerns around COVID-19, we encourage you to report your harvest over the phone at 867-667-5652 or toll-free in Yukon 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5652 during regular business hours. When you call, make sure you have a copy of your hunting licence with you. We'll also provide further guidance on how to submit any mandatory biological submissions

This year there are many reasons why Yukoners are getting the flu shot. What's your why? The Whitehorse drop-in flu clinic located at the Coast High Country Inn... (4051 Fourth Avenue) is open this week with extended hours. It is easy and quick and no appointment is required. Visit https://yukonimmunization.ca/flu for more information about flu clinic schedules throughout Yukon. #protectourcommunity #showyour #flushot #immmunizeyukon

The Dempster Highway is now open for snowmobile use. The Government of Yukon is allowing snowmobiles on the highway from km 68 to the Yukon-NWT border. Please be aware of COVID-19 related restrictions if crossing the border. If weather conditions change, snowmobile closures may come into effect to protect tundra from damage. Please do not travel across land without proper snow cover and do not harass or chase animals while on your snowmobile. ... For more information, contact the Department of Environment office in Dawson City or go to https://yukon.ca/en/hunting-regulations.

To hunt bison, you need a valid Yukon big game hunting licence, a bison permit, and written permission to hunt within 1 km of any residence (if that’s what you plan to do) regardless of whether the occupants will be home. You can get your bison permit at any Environment office. If you have a successful bison harvest, you must report your harvest within 10 days of the kill. You must also submit the incisor bar (with a bit of meat left attached for DNA testing) no later than 15 days after the end of the month when you harvested the bison, or at the request of a conservation officer. You can find all the regulations on bison hunting in the hunting regulations summary booklet: https://yukon.ca/en/yukon-hunting-regulations-summary