Changes to hunting and fishing regulations in the Yukon are now in effect. The changes mostly address the number of deer permits and moose permit hunt authorizations available. Conservation measures are also being introduced. Changes to hunting and fishing regulations in the Yukon are now in effect. The changes mostly address the number of deer permits and moose permit hunt authorizations available. Conservation measures are also being introduced. The number of deer permits now stands at 20, with two additional youth permits for hunters aged 14 to 15. There will now be 16 adult permits, not 10, split between two areas. The number of moose permit hunt authorizations will increase from seven to 15 in the Fish Lake and Mount Lorne Moose Management Unit areas. Each unit gets four new permits apiece. The Braeburn elk hunt will be closed for the 2025 to 2026 season to support population recovery, and the bison hunting season will be reduced so it ends on March 24. This is to reduce pressure on pregnant bison during the reproductive period of the herd according to the press release announcing the changes. Furthermore, grizzly hunting within 100 metres on either side of the centreline of the Haines Road corridor is now prohibited: the measure is meant to address concerns from Champagne and Aishihik First Nation regarding hunting of grizzlies near Klukshu. As has been the case for the past few hunting seasons, Kluane Wildlife Sanctuary sheep permits will not be available due to conservation concerns for the Dall sheep. New regulations are also in effect for Little Atlin Lake. There will be a seasonal harvest closure on the lake trout between July 1 and November 30 to protect fish numbers, and fishers can only harvest lake trout between 585 and 650 millimetres in length. Anglers must use single-point barbless hooks to reduce harm to the fish. The Yukon Game and Fish Association told the News via email on April 3 they’ve been working with the territorial environment department to increase the number of deer permits in the Yukon. The executive director, Logan McKillop, said the association is excited to see the addition of extra youth permits. McKillop said the association was also pleased to see the increase in permit hunt authorizations for Fish Lake and Mount Lorne management units, but said that given the low harvest success of permit holders and health of moose populations in the areas the number of permits issued could be higher. The association was hoping to see changes to the Sifton-Miners Range and South Canol management units, and McKillop said the association will be submitting proposals through the updated Fish and Wildlife Regulation Change Process announced last year. The association also supports all the conservation measures being put into place, but McKillop said the association was disappointed that there was no correspondence regarding the closure of the Braeburn elk hunt for the 2025-2026 season. However, the association acknowledged recent data suggesting the elk herd’s population is declining due to wolf predation and a habitat change following a burn, and reiterated support for the government’s decision. Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
YG introduces changes to hunting and fishing regulations for 2025-2026 season
