A system that provided outfitters guiding non-resident hunters with a 3:1 incentive to take male over female grizzly bears was tested in 20 outfitting areas in the Yukon Territory between 1985 and 1988. This system replaced annual quotas, 1980-1984, that had been criticized as being too small, too inflexible, and lacking incentive for male-selective or dispersed harvest. This new system was implemented in each outfitting area. Sex was confirmed through compulsory inspection of 'male' pelts with attached bacula. Most other regulations were unchanged. Most of the 20 outfitters modified hunting operations and behaviours. The behavioural changes most likely to increase male harvest were increased upland hunting, spring hunting, small plane use and hunting over 'gutpiles'. Generally, the kill increased, sex ratios changed little, the proportion of older bears taken increased, and the head size of bears taken increased. Future increases in male harvest are expected, but will require training of hunting guides. Outfitters ranked flexibility, opportunity to increase harvests if male proportions increased, frank individual discussions with biologists, increased potential harvest, and new population estimates, as the most beneficial attributes of this program.
- Volume 8
- Issue
- Pages 375-383
- Publication Date 1 January 1990
- DOI 10.2307/3872941
- File Size 388.55 KB
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