Bathurst caribou no-hunting zone moves to busy Mackay Lake area
N.W.T. wildlife officers set out to inform hunters who may be out of communications range
Wildlife officials say an area north of Yellowknife that was busy with hunters earlier this week is now off-limits for caribou harvesters.
Based on collaring data, the Bathurst caribou herd has moved and Mackay Lake is now within the mobile no-hunting zone.
Adrian Lizotte, manager of Wildlife and Environment, says they've sent officers out to inform hunters in the area who may be out of communications reach.
"Until they speak with an officer and are informed — anything before that we wouldn't look at prosecution, but once they are informed of the mobile zone change they would be in contravention of the mobile zone regulations," he said.
Lizotte says the no-hunting zone can change twice a week. Hunters can call ENR offices before they head out and he said there is always information at the Gordon Lake check station.
Lizotte is also reminding hunters that they still encourage conservation — a bull-only harvest — and to take only what they need.