Who’s There?
Where to find Internet information and maps to know what interests are on land in the Yukon.
The past decade has seen a rapid change in land management in the Yukon. Eleven Yukon First Nations have Final Agreements with Canada and Yukon. Each is in various stages of implementation with their lands. Three other First Nations have lands set aside and land withdrawn from disposition by Canada and Yukon. In Addition, the Northern Affairs Program was transferred from Canada to Yukon a couple of years ago. Recently Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources, Lands Branch began implementation of an Outfitter’s lands policy to establish licenses and leases for Big Game Outfitting Concessions.
All of these land interests plus others for mining leases, trapper leases, etc., means that anglers, hunters and general recreation users enjoying the back country should take advantage of information and tools to better know who is there at a destination or a route they are travelling on. Also, people need to know what rights others have on lands and what rights they have. It is a changing world here and each of us is responsible to keep up with the changes.
If you have access to the Internet you can find a lot of maps for the Yukon without leaving home.
The best place I go to see what is on an area of interest is the Mining Recorder’s web page at:
http://www.yukonminingrecorder.ca/.
This where being familiar with how the Yukon is divided into Quad maps at 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 scales is needed to know what map you need to look at a particular area.
If you want to learn the basics of Topographic map use go to:
http://maps.nrcan.gc.ca/topo101/index_e.php.
and download and save Topo 101 and the “Most Commonly Asked Questions”. Mac’s Fireweed Books on Main Street carries Topo maps, both digital and paper, for sale, and have brochures on how to read maps.
Yukon mining maps show First Nation Lands, roads and trails, mining interests, applications, and many other interests you might find useful before you go, but also to check out something you may have found when you return.
Below is a part of 105E/05 along the Dawson Trail at Eagle Nest Lake, east of Braeburn, that shows Site Specific parcels of four different First Nations.
Eventually once Big Game Outfitting Concessions establish their interests for camp sites and base camps through the Yukon’s Land Application Policy people will then know where those interests are when they plan a hunt or trip. Read up on the policy at:
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/pdf/policy_big_game_outfitting_april1_2006.pdf.
Establishing leases and licenses for Outfitter interests is no different than trapping or other interests that legitimately allow use of lands. Below is an example of an Outfitter application on Big Salmon Lake (upper left red hatch area).
The good web site to look at for general maps is Environment’s page at:
http://environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/geomatics/printed-maps.html.
Trapping Concessions, Outfitting Concessions, Game Zones, etc. are useful to check.
If you are hunting you should carry a current copy of the Hunting Regulations synopsis:
http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/pdf/Hunting_Regs_2006-07_EN.pdf.
It outlines your responsibilities you should know on First Nation’s lands.
Finally, Google Earth, a free downloadable program of satellite images of the Yukon that is easy to use and in some areas provides incredible views of remote lands or you can “fly” along trails. New images are added every now and then. Just remember that the coordinates are less accurate.
http://earth.google.com/
Combine knowledge of Internet sites for maps with knowledge and use of GPS and you will have some modern tools to plan trips and record where you have been.
http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/courseinfo.php?from=programs&subj=GPS&numb=004.
Below is a part of 105E/05 along the Dawson Trail at Eagle Nest Lake, east of Braeburn, that shows Site Specific parcels of four different First Nations.
Eventually once Big Game Outfitting Concessions establish their interests for camp sites and base camps through the Yukon’s Land Application Policy people will then know where those interests are when they plan a hunt or trip. Read up on the policy at:
http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/pdf/policy_big_game_outfitting_april1_2006.pdf.
Establishing leases and licenses for Outfitter interests is no different than trapping or other interests that legitimately allow use of lands. Below is an example of an Outfitter application on Big Salmon Lake (upper left red hatch area).
The good web site to look at for general maps is Environment’s page at:
http://environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/geomatics/printed-maps.html.
Trapping Concessions, Outfitting Concessions, Game Zones, etc. are useful to check.
If you are hunting you should carry a current copy of the Hunting Regulations synopsis:
http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/pdf/Hunting_Regs_2006-07_EN.pdf.
It outlines your responsibilities you should know on First Nation’s lands.
Finally, Google Earth, a free downloadable program of satellite images of the Yukon that is easy to use and in some areas provides incredible views of remote lands or you can “fly” along trails. New images are added every now and then. Just remember that the coordinates are less accurate.
http://earth.google.com/
Combine knowledge of Internet sites for maps with knowledge and use of GPS and you will have some modern tools to plan trips and record where you have been.
http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/courseinfo.php?from=programs&subj=GPS&numb=004.
John Carney |
