A two year search has come to a decision. I have spent more time over the past couple of years researching, budgeting, fence sitting and taking many of your experiences into account than I did in picking the bride of thirty-seven years. I will be booking to the NWT soon to hunt the Yukon moose and the Mtn. bou. Immediate reasons come to mind. Costs are about the same other than a new house for the African animals! As I live in Texas and have just endured probably the hottest September on record, I desire the colder climes of the NWT for a little respite. The beautiful mountains and lakes contrast to the beautiful sunsets of Africa where the country while different than the wonderful brush country of S. Texas will just have to wait.

The bride actually took it better considering her desire to make household improvements which will actually make this hunt look petty in relation. Guess that is the way to "get er dun" while keeping peace and harmony in the fam.

Isn't life all about "give and take"? Since I have a year to prepare for the hunt and less than a month for the home improvements to begin. Has anyone even planned for three rooms without it expanding thruout the entire house? Yes, I better get my hunt deposit in soon! I will be asking many questions following my booking confirmation.

I feel relieved getting this off my worklist. Have ya'll had the stress I have had in making your plans for your hunts? Now I can look forward to losing about fifteen pounds and dropping the heart rate about fifteen percent as I prepare for the next twelve months.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your hunts/experiences as they have all been invaluable in this process.

I know many people here have a passionate love affair with Africa, but to be frank, I have no desire to hunt there when I think of the Arctic. I can think of no better way to waste home improvement money that by chasing game around the North Pole!

Muy:

I have hunted both places several times. You can't go wrong with either, but I would opt for a moose/gizz or moose/sheep combo. Caribou are the easiest do it yourself hunt in the world.

MikeyB, having lived in the great state of Texas all my life I just want some "cool" weather and beautiful country. Also making my decision easier is the fact that at 61 I will be able to get into pretty good condition, starting now, and later if Zim is still the place to go I know it will be able to be done without having to hump a backpack and climbing mountains.

AZ, thanks for the knowledge. Actually my first choice is to do the NWT and as of now I think the grizz is off limits and most as I understand it are of the 7-8 ft. variety. My NEXT trip to the north will be for the grizz alone in area where I have the possibility of an 8-9 ft type animal. I have always seen this as a two trip affair. Fortunately I have not fallen for the sheep YET. I do plan on Africa for a couple of select animals before taking on sheep, if ever. Agree with your comments on re caribou being an easier hunt. I plan of spending the better part of my ten days being selective on the 60" I seek.

You picked your trip for the same reasons that I'd pick an African hunt. Living all my life in Montana, Africa would be just a bit more exotic than Alaska or Canada. Either way, I'd love to do both.

Muygrande:

I wouldn't be too picky about the size of the grizz - I think the quality of the fur is as important as the size. IMO, a 6 ft grizz with a long blonde/silver hair is a better trophy than an 8 footer of dark color with lots of rub spots. But everyone is different...

You are right about doing Africa last if age is a concern - if you can walk 5 miles you can hunt Africa, and if you can't do that you aren't really hunting anyway - you are shooting.

Certainly agree with the color and the coat vs size. My only black bear, taken in Ruidoso at the Apache reservation, was a 6X6 just shy of 500 lbs and 20 1/2" but the coat was the total pits! Certainly takes away from the "trophy" aspects. However, will never forget the hunt. From first contact the bear was never more than 25 steps and I was in a ground blind! Guide had told me that I would know it if a "shooter" came in. No doubt in my mind on this one!

Lord a willin and the creeks don't rise, I will be able to walk the five miles a day for several more hunts!

I hunted in the NWT in 2001 with Stan Simpson for Mountain Caribou. Mine scored about 350 with my fathers going 370 (I think) we had a good hunt. He also got a Dall Sheep. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world with not much around you. I also fished and had a great time catching grayling. Its not Africa, but if I had a chance I would go back to NWT