The number of bison road collisions in the N.W.T. seems to be decreasing. Between 2021 and 2025, the N.W.T. Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) documented 60 incidents. However, in 2026, only one collision has been reported so far.
Terry Armstrong, a bison ecologist at ECC, attributes this decline to wildfires in the region. He explains that fires prompt bison to alter their habitat preferences, often moving towards recently burned areas to take advantage of the new vegetation growth.
Due to extensive wildfires in recent years, more bison are opting for post-fire landscapes over roadsides for food, potentially leading to fewer collisions. This shift is positive news for the N.W.T. bison population, which is classified as a threatened species locally and nationally.
According to Armstrong’s estimates, the current bison population is several thousand, with ECC’s data indicating slightly over 2,500 individuals. Collisions from 2021 to 2025 resulted in the deaths of at least 76 bison, with most incidents concentrated along Highway 3.
During the rutting season from August to September, bison may exhibit aggressive behavior towards vehicles as they mate and compete for dominance. Armstrong warns that reduced visibility during this period, especially at dawn and dusk, increases the risk of collisions due to the dark-colored bison blending into the background.
To minimize the chances of collisions, Armstrong advises drivers to drive cautiously, maintain distance from bison, and avoid provoking the animals, particularly aggressive males. He emphasizes the importance of refraining from attempting to interact with or pet bison, highlighting their status as the largest land mammal in North America and underscoring the need for their protection.