Return to Written Question 3-12(5), Madam Speaker, asked by Mr. Antoine to the Minister of Renewable Resources, concerning results of harvest of big game in the Northwest Territories.

Non-resident hunters may only harvest adult male Dahl sheep, caribou and moose, therefore, no ewes or moose bull calves are killed by non-resident hunters. The harvest of Dahl sheep, caribou and moose by non-resident hunters in each Mackenzie Mountain outfitting area in the last year was: outfitting area E/1-1, 34 sheep, 13 caribou, four moose; outfitting area E/1-2, 20 sheep, 25 caribou, 6 moose; outfitting area E/1-3, 32 sheep, 44 caribou, 9 moose; outfitting area E/1-4, 22 sheep, 21 caribou, nine moose; outfitting area E/1-5, 12 sheep, 36 caribou, eight moose; outfitting area E/1-6, 37 sheep, 18 caribou, one moose; outfitting area E/1-7, 24 sheep, 12 caribou, five moose; outfitting area E/1-8, 16 sheep, six caribou, four moose, for a total of 197 sheep, 175 caribou and 46 moose.

No black bears were harvested by non-resident hunters. Non-resident hunters may not hunt grizzly bear. One problem grizzly bear was killed and reported in E/1-7.

The meat from sheep, caribou and moose is eaten in camp (20,000 pounds), exported by hunters (10,500 pounds) and outfitters (6,000 pounds) and also distributed among communities. The six northern outfitters provided about 15,000 pounds of meat to Sahtu communities. Some meat was provided by the outfitter from E/1-8 to Nahanni Butte.

All meat and trophies taken out of the Northwest Territories require export permits. The meat and trophies are inspected and tagged and then sent home with the hunters, most of whom are not Canadian.

In the Sahtu region, export permits are issued either at the Norman Wells office of the Department of Renewable Resources or the department's seasonal check station at Mile 222 on the Canol Road. In the Deh Cho region, export permits are issued either at the Fort Simpson office of the Department of Renewable Resources of the department's seasonal check station at Flat Lake.

The following three people have been employed by the big game outfitters: Sahtu, Andrew Horassi (E/1-3) and Stewart Pope (E/1-1); and, Gwich'in, Keith Colin (E/1-1).

Mr. Colin was employed for two years and in the last two years, has been offered employment but not accepted. No people from Deh Cho have been employed. Outfitters have advertised to hire and train guides, however, few people have shown interest, possibly because guide wages are low and guides do not go home during the three month season.