Hay Zama Wood Bison 2020-21 Hunting Season

Hay-Zama Wood Bison Hay-Zama Wood Bison 2020-21 Hunting Season Information for hunters about the Hay-Zama wood bison hunt

About the Hay-Zama Bison Population

The Hay-Zama wood bison reintroduction program was started in 1983 to re-establish a healthy population of wood bison in northwestern Alberta. This was a joint effort between the Canadian Wildlife Service, Dene Tha’ First Nation and Alberta Environment and Parks. The Hay-Zama bison herd was first released in 1994 in the northwestern corner of Alberta, within a “Bison Protection Area”, wherein bison are considered Endangered under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.

The herd has been surveyed annually since the original release of 42 bison in 1994. By 2008, the herd expanded to 652 bison, based on a minimum count. Surveys are extensive, with over 3500 kilometres flown during a survey season. About the Hay-Zama Bison Hunt Since the winter of 2008-09, the Hay-Zama population within Bison Hunting Zone 1 has had both an Indigenous and recreational hunt. The objective of the hunt is to manage herd growth and range in order to:

 Maintain the Hay-Zama wood bison population between 400 and 600 bison and limit expansion eastward until diseased bison issues in and around Wood Buffalo National Park are resolved

 Address public safety concerns within the communities of Chateh and Zama and conflicts along roads in the area, as there have been vehicle collisions with bison 2020-21 Hay-Zama Wood Bison Hunting Season A survey in February 2020 resulted in a total minimum count of 368 bison. These results are a positive improvement to the 285 bison the previous year but remain below the population management goal of 400 to 600 bison and below the conservation threshold for sustainable harvest of animals from the population. As a result, the Hay-Zama wood bison hunting season is suspended for the 2020-21 season.

Hay-Zama Wood Bison Hunt Suspension: What You Need To Know  No licences will be issued for this season due to bison numbers remaining below population objectives. The hunt will be re-instated once population numbers have reached between 400 and 600 total minimum count.

 Bison located in Bison Hunting Zone 1 are within the Bison Protection Area and are considered Endangered under Alberta’s Wildlife Act. No bison can be harvested without a licence. See map below.

For more information, contact the Peace River Alberta Environment and Parks office at: 780 624-6405 ©2020 Government of Alberta | Published: July 2020 Classification: Public Common Questions Is bovine tuberculosis and tuberculosis disease an issue in the Hay-Zama population?

No. Since the 2008-09 season, over 350 bison have been tested for tuberculosis and brucellosis, and all samples have been negative.

Disease surveillance was conducted during the 2017-18 season (5 years since the last testing in 2011-12). All viable samples provided by licenced hunters were negative for brucellosis. There is no evidence to suggest that disease has influenced the lower than expected population numbers.

Will the hunt remain suspended indefinitely?

This is not the intent. Alberta Environment and Parks plans to reinstate the hunt when surveys indicate that population management objectives have been satisified and a limited harvest is sustainable in the long-term. The Hay-Zama population remains a part of the disease management program, of which the objectives are to maintain a reduced herd range to avoid migration towards diseased bison in Wood Buffalo National Park.

Alberta Environment and Parks enhanced its monitoring program of the Hay-Zama population in March 2020 by deploying Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to a subset of bison to gain increased understanding of natural mortality, recruitment, movement patterns, habitat use and other key information to help address recovery actions.

The Hay Zama hunt has been suspended in the past. In 2013-14 the hunt was suspended for one year due to declines related to overwintering mortality. The hunt was resumed in 2014-15.

Are bison moving eastward towards High Level?

There is no evidence that bison have moved eastward towards High Level. No tracks or animals were seen during wildlife surveys in the area and no reports of bison near or on Highway 35. Movement information from collar data will help inform these concerns.

How will you make sure bison are not moving eastward?

In addition to our ongoing disease management program, we have engaged with a stakeholder group, including local municipalities, to encourage public and local communities to report bison outside of their normal range.