Who has done this hunt. And who did you hunt with.

yes Adventure Northwest, Holman, Victoria Island. spring 03.

Hunted on Banks Island in 2002.

Thanks. Was it a fun hunt? Was it a challenge? What kind of temperatures are we talking?

A group of us were sitting around talking about what a great hunt adventure this would be. Are we right in thinking this?

I enjoyed it. It is not much of a hunt, as I think of it. In my little mind the hunt is comperable in difficulty with shooting a deer from a stand (showing up is 90% of it). You can easily kill them with bow muzzleloader or spear probably. What I enjoyed was the cold. 25 to 50 degrees (below of course) not counting wind which was formidable at times (no trees). I also enjoyed the Inuit, they are disney free humans. One of the helpers on snowmobile chased some ox and a young female fell off a 100 foot drop and broke its back. They didnt feel the least bit bad, they were just going to leave it to die but we made them waste ammunition as they say. They shot it in the head and left it lie. They are not sociallized (really a type of brainwash) to feel for animals pain in any way. I thought everyone did until this trip. The village life was interesting, I enjoyed the hockey games and the art work they do. Hard life no question. Strong people. Meeting them and seeing how they handle their hard life was worth the whole trip.

I didn't do the hunt you are talking about, but in 2000, I did the early fall hunt out of Cambridge Bay, down along the Ellice River.

The outfitter was Canada north/Jerome Knapp.

My hunt was for Musk Ox and Barren ground Caribou.

The weather was fairly decent, although we were unable to fly out as early as we could have.

I go along with the concept that getting to the area and meeting the Inuit, is the best part of the hunt.

From my observations on my hunt, the Caribou and Musk-Ox both, have such little contact with humans, that they really don't act like wild animal that is regularly hunted would.

The bull Caribou I shot walked, along with 5 other animals, over three-quarters of a mile, just to see what was going on, when the person I was partnered up with dropped his Musk-Ox.

My Musk-Ox was killed on an island, out of a group of three that myself and the guides watched for 20 minutes or so, trying to decide which one was the biggest.

While I don't necessarily agree with the Inuit attitude toward wildlife, it is refreshing to see that Disney and Marty Stouffer have not brainwashed everyone.

I think that it is a great adventure if a person looks at it from the aspect of getting trhere and the people you will meet. actually killing a Musk-Ox is about like stepping into someones barnyard and shooting a Holstien cow. Just My Opinion.

Given the opportunity I would do it again, just for the experience of getting there and meeting the people.

I agree with SGO and CHC. For me it was all about the environment, living out of a tent at -35. It was more about ensuring the equipment was going to work rather than a rigorous hunt adventure. Even though it is completely illegal and not appealing to me, chasing them around on snowmachines seems to be a common technique.

This is a hunt I really would like to do. I guess this requires alot of planning. Buying the correct clothing for the temperature extremes alone must be a challenge. Coming from the South I have never experienced cold like that. Thanks for the info and replys.

I've done it!!! And have a few thought on it. PM sent.

PM reply

I did a combo Caribou and Musk Ox hunt in Sept, 2004 with Bekere Lake Outfitters in NWT. Good permanent camp, lots of Caribou, and Jonah is a great guide. One of my Caribou and my Musk Ox both qualified B&C. Good fishing in the lake next to camp for Lake trout and Northerns.

I have eaten caribou once, and that was enough. Have any of you cold lovers eaten Musk Ox?

I tried some Musk Ox years ago. My brother in law honoured a request for some Caribou and Musk Ox, when doing some cold weather training in the northern Yukon. I cooked both the same way, over low heat after searing and a nice wine, garlic and herb marinade. The caribou was delicious. The Musk Ox, tasted and still smelled musky,and needed the jaw muscles of a wolf to chew.I have no idea if this is normal, or got some meat from an animal that was " in rut' and not cared for properly.

I've eaten Caribou many times. It's as good as deer, but not as good as Elk. When I hunted in the McKinsey Mtns in the Northwest Territories, the outfitter made some Caribou jerky. The best Jerky that I've ever eaten.

I brought home the backstraps and one hind quarter of the Musk Ox posted above, plus as much of the Caribou that would fit in my cooler. I ground everything into burger (seperately), both tasted good.

I have had raw caribou and boiled muskox, hunting with the inuit. I liked both. Just a question of taste.