For first time in 25 years, Fortymile herd open for hunting

As the Fortymile caribou herd populations booms, the Yukon government is allowing hunting of the herd for the first time since 1995. The government imposed a ban after the herd dropped to 6,500 caribou (Rangifer tarandus), but officials say conservation efforts have allowed the herd to increase to 84,000. “We’re comfortable that there’s sufficient numbers there to have a sustainable harvest,” Rob Florkiewicz, the wildlife harvest manager with the Yukon government’s fish and wildlife branch, told the CBC. Hunting opened Jan. 1 and will continue until March 31. Hunters are permitted to take only bulls.

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