The Government of Yukon remains committed to addressing the ongoing issues related to elk and agricultural landowners in the Takhini Valley.
As part of this commitment, the Elk-Agriculture Steering Committee has created a two-year pilot program to enable agriculture property owners and support hunters to minimize elk impacts and recondition the herd to avoid agricultural properties.
The Elk-Agriculture Steering Committee helps oversee a coordinated approach to deter the elk herd from agricultural land in the Takhini Valley area.
Members of the steering committee include the Yukon Fish and Game Association, Yukon Agricultural Association, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and the Government of Yukon. As part of the two-year pilot program, the steering committee will hire a coordinator to support participating farmers and landowners to help them implement actions to deter elk from their properties and work with hunters to facilitate hunting access on private property.
To support the collaborative work of the steering committee, the Government of Yukon is providing $175,000 over two years for the coordinator position.
This pilot program builds on existing Government of Yukon efforts to promote effective elk management in the territory.
Elk are valued for both hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. At the same time, further action is required to deter elk from farm properties. This steering committee represents a proactive and collaborative approach to addressing a longstanding concern. I look forward to the committee’s recommendations to reduce elk-agricultural interactions with the Takhini elk herd.
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke
We welcome this collaboration with hunters and farmers in finding solutions for protecting crops and minimizing elk from accessing farm properties in the Takhini Valley. We look forward to a balanced approach that meets everyone’s interests in the Takhini Valley.
Minister of Energy Mines and Resources John Streicker
The collaborative work done on this issue should improve the likelihood of keeping a viable and increasing elk population in the Yukon while supporting sustainable agriculture. The Yukon Fish and Game Association looks forward to the implementation of this important pilot project.
Yukon Fish and Game Association Executive Director Eric Schroff
The Takhini Valley is a major region of agricultural production and activity in Yukon. Demand for local food is intense. Everybody likes elk. Excessive and permanent damage occurs when elk habituate to farms. This is an exciting new proactive effort to recondition elk to avoid agricultural land and infrastructure. On-the-ground coordination is important to enable farmers and landowners, enhance hunting opportunities and maintain a sustainable population of free-ranging elk.
Yukon Agriculture Association President Cain Vangel
Over the years, elk have damaged crops and farm infrastructure, negatively impacting farming operations in the Takhini Valley area.
Elk are a popular species of interest for hunters in the Yukon. Elk were introduced to the Yukon in 1951 for hunting opportunities.
The 2016 Yukon’s Elk Management Plan focuses on maintaining a sustainable elk population in the Takhini and Braeburn herds to support harvest and wildlife viewing opportunities.
This pilot program builds on existing Government of Yukon efforts to promote effective elk management in the territory. This includes the Elk-Agriculture Working Group, which works to address landowner concerns and mitigate future elk interactions.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Chantelle Rivest
Communications, Environnent
867-334-9815
chantelle.rivest@yukon.ca
Kaila DeBoer
Communications, Energy Mines and Resources
867-332-4041
Kaila.deboer@yukon.ca
Carl Burgess
Executive Director, Yukon Agricultural Association
867-668-6864
executivedirector@yukonag.ca
Eric Schroff
Executive Director, Yukon Fish and Game Association
867-667-4263
yfgaexdir@klondiker.com