Yukon Conservation Officer Services

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Yukon Conservation Officer Services

Yukon’s Conservation Officers (COs) help protect our wildlife and environment. https://yukon.ca/en/social-media-commenting-policy

Yukon’s Conservation Officers protect our territory’s wildlife and environment by offering educational programs to the general public, responding to human/wildlife conflict situations, and enforcing laws and regulations. Fourteen COs perform field duties across the Yukon with support from a dedicated team of administrative, supervisory, and technical staff. Our headquarters is based in Whitehorse

in the main Environment Yukon administrative building at 10 Burns Road. It houses managerial staff, COs, First Nations Liaison Officers, and personnel related to hunter and trapper education, trap line management, environmental education, and youth programs. This page is a place for those who share the values of the CO Services Branch to connect, get insight into the everyday work the Branch does, and receive information about news and events.

*This page is not appropriate for reporting wildlife conflicts or concerns, poachers or polluters. To do so, please call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters line at 1-800-661-0525. Operators are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

**This page is subject to the Government of Yukon public social media commenting policy: https://yukon.ca/en/social-media-commenting-policy

09/04/2026

The fall bison season is open September 1 until October 31. Hunt wisely and respectfully by making sure you’re up to date on regulations, best harvest practices and ensuring respectful land use.

Bison are found in a smaller area during the fall hunting season. Expect to encounter other hunters and land users.

Be safe and make sure to:

- Give others plenty of space. Wear bright clothing so you’re recognized from a distance.

- Be respectful of the land you're on and considerate of how your activities affect wildlife and people.

- Be bear aware and mindful that gut piles can attract bears and other wildlife. Bears can act defensively when feeding.

A safe and successful hunt starts with good planning. Visit Yukon.ca/bison-hunt to learn more and be prepared.

09/03/2026

Your favourite hiking, cycling or berry picking spot might also be a bear’s favourite snacking spot. This time of year, take extra care near berry patches and bushes.

If you’re planning to head out:
✅ carry bear spray where you can access it in seconds and know how to use it;
✅ choose spots with good visibility where possible and avoid places where you know there is a bear in area;
✅ stay alert, travel slowly and don’t wear earbuds;
✅ make plenty of noise so bears know you’re there.

Learn more about staying safe in bear country: Yukon.ca/bears

08/21/2026

🐻 This time of year, bears enter into hyperphagia, a state where they are biologically driven to eat. Some bears may forage up to 20 hours per day to gain the body fat needed to survive the winter.

Please do your part in keeping bears focused on natural food sources and out of conflict situations:

· Harvest any ripe fruit or berries from your garden as soon as they’re ripe. Clean up any that have fallen on the ground.

· Secure and lock away anything that may attract bears, such as garbage, compost, greasy barbecues or other smelly items.

· If you’ve been out hunting or fishing, please make every effort to secure meat and scraps, both in the field and at home, and dispose of non-edible parts properly.

Learn more about attractants: yukon.ca/bears

08/07/2026

Check out highlights from Wildlife Management Advisory Council North Slope recent meeting at Tapqaq (Shingle Point). We were proud to join partners in supporting stewardship and safe travel along the Yukon North Slope coast.

08/06/2026

Hitting the trails? Wherever you are in the Yukon, remember you’re in bear country.

If you’re spending time outside, always be bear aware:

✅ carry bear spray, keep it where you can access it within seconds, and know how to use it;
✅ slow down where visibility is poor;
✅ avoid routes where you know there is a bear in area;
✅ keep your pets on a leash and under control; and
✅ stay alert and make plenty of noise so bears know you’re there.

Report aggressive bear encounters to Yukon conservation officers through the 24-hour TIPP line at 1-800-661-0525. Visit Yukon.ca/bears to learn more.

08/05/2026

The 2026-2027 PHA lottery is now complete and all permits have been issued.

Statistics for the 2026 PHA lottery are available at
https://yukon.ca/en/permit-hunt -hunt-authorizations-lottery-results-and-statistics

08/01/2026

Hunting season has officially started! If you haven’t had a chance to get your hunting licence yet, we’re running a Hunter Education and Ethics Development (HEED) course in a few weeks.

📅 Tuesday, August 18 from 6:00 to 9:30 pm
Register and learn more: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hunter-education-course-tickets-1991498222794

If you were born after April 1, 1987, the HEED course is required to get a hunting licence. You must complete the online portion of the course before registering for the classroom session. Learn more: https://yukon.ca/en/hunter-education

07/31/2026

Yukon hunters, August 1 marks the official start of the hunting season in the Yukon. With opening day starting tomorrow, make sure you're ready for a safe and successful season.

✅ Ensure you have the proper licences, seals and permits.
✅ Inspect your equipment to ensure it is in working order and safe to use.
✅ Make a plan to properly handle, transport and store your meat.
✅ Review backcountry travel principles, such as leaving a trip plan with someone and bear safety.
✅ Familiarize yourself with the regulations in the area you plan on hunting in and the species you plan on hunting. Review the Yukon Hunting Regulations Summary: yukon.ca/en/hunting-regulations

Learn more about hunting in the Yukon: yukon.ca/hunting

Happy hunting!

Image credit: Mason Bramadat Photography

07/30/2026

Do you plan on moose hunting this fall in the Faro or Mayo areas?

Threshold hunts are in effect in the Faro and Mayo areas, and these hunts can close on short notice.

The Faro moose threshold hunt opens August 1 in GMS 4-44, 4-45 and 4-46.

The Mayo Moose Management Unit is CLOSED during the month of August. The Mayo moose threshold hunt will open September 1 in GMS 2–56, 2–58, 2–59, 2–62, 2–63, 4–04, 4-05 and 4–06.

Important reminder: You cannot special guide in areas under a threshold hunt.

Before you head into the field, call the Threshold Hunt Hotline 1-833-560-HUNT (4868) to check the harvest number.

Learn more about threshold hunts at Yukon.ca/threshold-hunts

07/29/2026

The Government of Yukon is offering a summer registration hunt for the Fortymile caribou herd from August 1 to September 9, or until the hunting threshold is met, in Game Management Subzones 3–01, 3–04 and a portion of 3–02, west of Browns Creek and Twelve Mile Creek.

Permits are available two business days in advance of the start of each hunt period on a first-come, first-served basis. For example, the August 1 permits will be available on July 30.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, visit yukon.ca/threshold-hunts -caribou-summer-registration-hunt or contact your local Department of Environment office.

Address

10 Burns Road
Whitehorse, YT
Y1A4Y9

Website

https://yukon.ca/en/tipp

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