Hi guys,

Not in the mood for a full hunt report but want to let the world know about this operation.

I hunted with them September 6-12 of 2008 and was severely dissapointed. It was clear this is an operation run by a family living off the past and completely unprepared to deal with change.

I would not recommend hunting central barren ground caribou with them.

Ski+3

Wow! Our group of 8 hunters shot 15 caribou bulls with Rabesca back in 1998. Three made B&C after the 60-day drying period. It was one the truly great "fun hunts" I've ever taken.

Sorry you had a bad experience. Did you hunt out of their Humpy Lake Camp? Were you in a lull in the migration.....the Bathurst herd is generally more dependable in the NWT than caribou in Quebec, but I understand that there can be ebbs and flows, even there? Is Moise still in charge? I believe that Rebesca clients have taken the highest B&C-scoring bulls by rifle, bow, and muzzleloader....

If you have time, we'd like to hear a little more. I personally would like to do that hunt again and hope that your experience was just an abberation, perhaps.

You hunted in Sept. and still aren't in the mood for an explanation? Unless you're just a chronic Bitcher, you'd better give us one.
Grizz

Dawaba called it. He hunted in 1998. TEN YEARS ago. There were no caribou around Humpy lake this year or last. I have since heard the hunting has been piss poor for at least 4 years. 8 hunters in our camp spotted a total of around 30 caribou. total. 09-06 to 09-12. The next group of 8 hunters NEVER SAW A CARIBOU. The group before us saw one and shot it. The group before them shot one.

Moise is still in charge and completely out of his league. Content to rest on Dawaba great hunting in 1998. Lots of stories and pictures about the great times. Not enough brain power to get current hunters on caribou.

I am not a complainer. In fact, I shot 2 of the critters and my friend shot one. ONLY BECAUSE I WAS PHYSICALLY CAPABLE OF WALKING 14 MILES ONE WAY. The hunt was sold as a perfect place to take a new hunter and a 68 year old father. Have a great time, see hundreds of caribou, fish, read books, meet new friends! My ass. Our guide was a dumbass, we saw less than 20 caribou, and walked more than I have on any other hunt ever. I lived off apples, water and ham & cheese sandwiches for 3 days.

Yes, it was a great adventure. NO I will never go back and I only posted to help prevent the same thing from happening to you. Don't pay 8k to go on a nature hike in the NWT at Camp Ekwo.

Ski+3

I wonder if the lack of caribou is unique to Rabesca's area, or does it apply to the Bathurst herd in general? I've heard that several outfitters are cutting back on their harvest and offering only one bull instead of the usual two. There are fewer caribou due to wolf predation, or perhaps the lower numbers are due to a natural population cycle.

Anyone else have anything to add here?

They had trouble finding caribou in N. Manitoba(Beverly + Qaminuriaq herds) as well, from what I heard. The weather turned mild and all the migrating caribou headed back north, leaving only a few stragglers.

This happens quite often, it's always best to book a caribou hunt with an outfitter who has a plane and can move you if needed.

SkiBumplus3- Are these caribou migrating or resident?

The pilot who saved our bacon told us the migration route had shifted about 20 miles to the north.

Did you book through an agent?

The migration did not shift, it just did not start until later October. I'm the outfitter north of Rabesca's that Joyce & Moise were consulting with and contemplating sending some hunters to.
This year the bulk of the animals remained north, they had good weather and lots of food.
We had animals (we were one of the two outfitters that did)and they were in the best condition I've seen for 10-12 years, but they weren't ready to cross the Coppermine River and head south. I don't think over a dozen crossed in the entire season.
I'll admit that no one should rest on their laurels based on what was taken a dozen years ago, things do change. But there just wasn't much that Rabesca's or anyone could do about it. I did suggest that if they wanted to try spiking out there were some probable areas just north of us in my area that might promise success but it would be expensive to relocaate temporarily and move hunters, when anything could change overnite. On the 17th things did change and a herd of a few thousand moved through and headed in Rabesca's direction.
This season has really knocked a lot of outfitters on their butt and thrown them into a panic.
We were lucky again but our location has never failed us in 26 years, and my prediction is that 2009 will see lots of animals, .....the abundance of rain has replenished all the vegetation after three years of drought, there was an excellent calf crop, there were no bugs, and everything appears to be going back to the 80's scenario.
Bottom line is "That's hunting!!"
And we did produce a mess of B&C animals this year, as usual!!!

Barry, you need a website to show off those nice caribou taken at your camp!

A friend and I hunted with Barry IIRC Sept7-12??. When we arrived in Yellowknife and talked to hunters coming out from various camps, I must say we felt a little skeptical. Not much sightings, and no good bulls shot from the groups we talked to, in fact, of the bulls we saw in the backs of pick up trucks, I didnt see one that I would've shot.

We flew into camp @ Obstruction Rapids, saw the bulls the previous hunters shot, and talked to them about what they saw, not alot of bulls and only a couple of real good ones. I was a little nervous, but looking forward to the adventure just the same.

I ended up shooting 2 bulls both in the 370-380 range (according to the guides, no actual measurements were taken), my friend shot a small bull, and another that would go 400 or so(once again, only guesstimated as no tape was brought out).

In 4 days of hunting we saw 7 Wolves, and 11 Grizzlies IIRC, that in itself could be one of the problems, but near as I can tell, the NWT govnmt is like Albertas........there arent many Grizz!!!

Barry, is an excellent knowledgable host, and fun to be around. The food was real good, and the equipment was excellent. I would likely go back, especially if I could be self guided.

When we got back to Yellowknife, we talked again with several hunters from other camps, and the results were bleak at best. Not many sightings, and smallish bulls.

I fully believe Barrys advice about yrs past & the future.......he flat out knows that country and his experience speaks for itself.

CMFIC.... Post some pictures of your bulls?


Thanks,
Ski+3