In spite of years of biological research, caribou co-management board members managers and users alike note the difficulties they encounter when selecting policy responses that are optimally suited for changing ecological conditions (Kofinas, et al. 2000). Below we hypothesized links between observed ecological and social conditions affecting caribou availability and alternative policy choices. Where available, we reference relevant case studies.

Observed Ecological and Social Change

Policy Response Options

Dramatic and continued decline in herd size

• Substantial reduction in hunting with out systematic wolf control
• Substantial reduction in hunting and wolf kill program (e.g., Western Arctic Herd in the mid 1970's)
• Substantial reduction in hunting with wolf sterilization program (e.g., Forty Mile Herd in early 1990's)

Downward trending numbers of caribou where specific groups have recognized harvest rights

• Limited hunt with prioritized hunting allocated by group (e.g., Alaska rural subsistence priority policy)
• Decrease harvest equally for all groups

Moderate declining trend in population; expectation of quick rebound

• Bull only harvest (or other demographically targeted hunting)

High population with observed poor body condition of cows in fall

• No change in hunting policy; increased monitoring activities (e.g., George River Herd at present)

Perceived risk of cumulative effects and or changes in caribou behavioral response to disturbance (independent of population trends)

• No hunting policy during specific periods of life cycle --- during the rut, during migration through area, during calving (e.g., current "let the leaders pass" rule in Yukon
• Protected areas strategies (e.g., Yukon's Protected Areas strategy, NWT's proposed calving grounds policy)

Climate change leads to habitat drying trend with increased frequency of forest fires

• Forest fire protection measures (e.g., previously debated in NWT, N Sask. and Northern Manitoba in the 1970's as a part of overall habitat protection measures.)

Dramatic increase in herd population above perceived sustainable levels

• Encouraged local hunting and exchange meat for services with non-local communities
• Government-sponsored hunts (e.g., George River Herd)
• Implement commercial harvest (e.g., Quebec and Labrador with George River Herd)
• Encourage non-local hunting