Collisions with Wood bison on NWT highways are a serious concern, especially between when daylight is limited. The most dangerous time for bison collisions is from dusk to dawn.

As bison expand their range toward Yellowknife and traffic increases, drivers need to take extra precautions to stay safe. The most dangerous time for collisions with bison is when daylight is limited, especially along the following highways: 

• Highway 3 – Fort Providence to Yellowknife
• Highway 5 – Fort Smith to Big Buffalo Junction
• Highway 7 – Poplar River to British Columbia border

How we protect public safety

BISON CONTROL AREA: A bison control area has been created to help prevent the spread of disease between bison populations. This area spreads from Sambaa K’e in the west to Enterprise in the east, crossing Highway 1 to the banks of Great Slave Lake and down to the Alberta and British Columbia border. If you see a bison in the control area, report it by contacting your nearest ECC office or calling 1-866-629-6438

For more information on what happens when you call an ECC Officer click here

What you can do

Bison safety when driving

Pay attention to highway signage! Most bison-human encounters will happen on our highways. You’ll find interpretative signage along these routes reminding you to take extra precautions when driving through bison country.

If you see a group of bison standing on or near the road, slow down or stop. Do not approach a bison or exit your vehicle if bison are near the road.

• Do not get out of your vehicle.
• Slow down, especially after dark. Bison eyes will glow red in headlights.
• Stop at least 100 metres from bison on the highway and wait for them to make way.

Bison safety when cycling

If you are cycling, try to avoid surprising bison.

• Make noise and give them time to become aware of you.
• Never enter a herd of bison on foot
• Do not come between two animals, especially a cow and her calf.

Warning Signs

Bison are very unpredictable animals and every encounter is unique; there is no single strategy that will work in every situation. Be alert and aware of the following signs:

• Snorting and tossing its head.
• Raising its tail.
• Turning its back to you, raising its tail and defecating.
• Pawing at the ground.
• False charge may occur. Do not run.

A bison’s tail might indicate if the animal is calm, alert, alarmed or angry (unless the animal is relieving itself):

Report a sighting

A bison control area has been created to help prevent the spread of disease between bison populations in the NWT. This area spreads from Sambaa K’e in the west to Enterprise in the east, crossing Highway 1 to the banks of Great Slave Lake and down to the Alberta and British Columbia border.

A bison sighting is not an emergency, as long as the animal is where it’s supposed to be which includes along the sides of highways and anywhere outside of populated areas — and not behaving in an aggressive way.

REPORT A BISON SIGHTING IF: you see a dead or injured bison, report that to your local ECC office or report a wildlife emergency using the 24-hour emergency wildlife numbers. If you see a bison in the control area, report it by contacting your nearest ECC office or calling 1-866-629-6438

Resources

For more information on bison safety, read our brochure or visit the website for the Department of Infrastructure.