WHITEHORSE, YT – Some changes are coming to the hunting and fishing licensing process this year, creating new hunting opportunities while also rolling out some new conservation measures.
The Yukon Government has increased the total number of deer permits from 12 to 20, two of which are reserved for youth, and the total number of permit hunt authorizations for Moose in the South Lakes has increased from 7 to 15 – specifically within the Fish Lake and Mount Lorne Moose Management Units.
With these additions, there are now four youth permits for deer available for those aged 14 to 15 for Game Management Zones 1-15, 1-17 to 1-19, 1-21 to 1-72, 2, 3, 4 (except 4-03 and 4-51), 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Of the 16 adult deer permits, 10 are for Game Management Zones 5, 7, 8 and 9, while 6 permits are for GMZ 1-15, 1-17, 1-19, 1-21 to 1-72, 2, 3, 4 (except 4-03 and 4-51), 10 and 11.
The Fish Lake and Mount Lorne Moose Management Units now have four additional permit hunt authorizations each, excluding GMZ 718, 719 and 721 near Fish Lake, and Subzone 904 near Mount Lorne. The Wheaton River MMU remains unchanged, but the total allocation of authorized hunts now applies to Game Management Subzones 722, 728 and 729.
When it comes to new conservation measures; The Braeburn elk hunt will be closed for the 2025-26 season to support repopulation efforts, the 2026 bison hunting season will be shortened by a week to end on March 24th based on the advice of the Aishihik Bison Technical Team, and ongoing conservation concerns means sheep permits will not be available within the Kluane Wildlife Sanctuary this season.
Additionally, responding to concerns raised by Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Elders about hunting in proximity to Klukshu, grizzly bears can no longer be hunted within 100 meters of the centerline of the Haines Road corridor. This applies to GMZ 7 on the east side of the road, as hunting is still prohibited in GMZ 6 to the west.
As for anglers on Little Atlin Lake, a harvest slot between 585 mm and 650 mm for lake trout is now in effect, along with a seasonal closure from July 1st to November 30th, and a requirement to use single-point barbless hooks at all times.
