Caribou Hunting
- Thread starter BigBraz15
- Start date
Never been and most likely will never get to hunt them ....but please share as much of the details of the hunt/planning you can. Would love to live it through your eyes...
Best of luck
I've been on a few hunts in Quebec, sometimes for meat, others for trophies. My best hunt occurred in 2006, when the caribou were thin on the ground despite the fact that we covered a lot of territory by boat looking for them. Finally the outfitter flew us into a different location, and I was soon perched on a bit of high ground on one side of a river, watching a large herd on the other side who looked like they were coming over. When they eventually did, they were mostly cows/calves, but there were a few small groups of bulls as well. I had my eye on one particular bull who entered the river and began swimming towards my side; he was obviously going to come aground well outside of my comfort zone, but then one of the other 2 hunters I was with made the mistake of moving quickly from his place of concealment; apparently he was eyeballing the same bull and trying to get into position. Mistake! The animal did a 90-degree turn in the river and swam several hundred yards downstream before again turning towards my side. He came out of the water, shook himself off, and walked towards a spot where probably 100 others had just passed. There were two paths he could choose from there; one would have taken him out of sight within seconds, the other would lead him to cross directly in front of a boulder I had already ranged at 425 yards. As he stood there, the sun came out for the first time in days. When it hit him, standing there as though posing for a photograph, I was struck by what a gorgeous critter he was; it was just one of those incredible moments you experience in the wild that you will never forget.
He stood for about 10 seconds that felt like 10 minutes; then he turned and came my way! I was sprawled across a truck-sized boulder this whole time, rifle resting across my backpack, and I was so ready it just about hurt. He got to the boulder and paused slightly. I hate long shots, and I had to more or less bully myself into taking this one by thinking about my buddy who always asked why the &%$@ we had practiced at 400 and 500 yards for so long if it weren't for just this kind of opportunity. I figured he had a point, so I let fly. The bull reacted strangely, his front legs collapsing so that he was kneeling at the front, standing at the read. I quickly sent another round and he flopped over.
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I was so pumped at this point that I had to take a moment to regain my breath. I stood up, and while glassing the inert animal I realized that this moment would be quickly spoiled if I didn't take a whizz right now! So, down go the bibs, and as I stood there peeing onto the tundra I looked up to see another small group of bulls doing their patented power-walk right behind me. They were so close I could actually hear their heels making that weird clicking sound that is characteristic of caribou. One of them looked okay to me, and I had two tags, so I quickly grabbed my rifle and fired offhand as they passed by at maybe 75 yards. The bull dropped, and here I was, alone on the tundra with my first two trophy caribou bulls taken within moments of one another, both lying dead within sight. I couldn't believe it; I took a step forward and did an immediate faceplant...yup, pants still around my knees.
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Best of all, on the last day of the hunt, I accompanied a young fellow who had somehow managed not to fill either tag. His guide took him out for one last try, and I went along for the ride (and because I still had bear tag in my pocket). It rained all day, and the only caribou we saw was a spike bull...of course, the spikes were three feet long, but he was still just one point per side, and the lad decided to pass. It was approaching dusk, we were soaked to the skin, and the guide was motoring us back to the camp. We entered a long, narrow lake that we were supposed to just enter and leave 50 yards later, but for some reason I asked the guide if he would mind just taking a quick detour down the waterway for a look-see. We had just enough time, and he agreed to try, much to the dismay of the soaking wet young hunter with us. We hadn't gone 50 yards up the bay before I spotted a huge black bear, at a distance of at least a mile; I had been glassing the entire time and it paid off. We quickly beached the boat and headed inland to intercept the bruin. As we approached the spot, which was littered with large numbers of large boulders and looked like an alien planet set from the old original Star Trek series, I noticed the south end of the north-bound bear disappearing behind one of the giant rocks. I hissed to the guide, he danced back out of my line of fire, and as the bear appeared on the opposite side of the rock and swung his head toward us I fired. He went a short distance, which led to a nerve-wracking and prolonged search, but we eventually found him stone-dead in the brush-choked bottom of a deep draw.
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I expected this hunt to be memorable, but it exceeded my expectations in every way. Hopefully yours will be the same. One of the coolest things about caribou hunting is the exotic feel of the terrain, quite different than anything you are accustomed to further south. You hear about how remote some hunt camps are in Africa, but many caribou outfits are located in areas that are far more remote, more isolated and wilder than any African camp. Perhaps one of the Australian buffalo camps might compare, but in any case you know you are not in Kansas anymore when you are out there.
Oh...if the opportunity is there, spend the extra for whatever other tags you can get; bear, wolf, wolverine, whatever. The odds may be against filling them, but considering the potential payoff they are cheap insurance for getting the most out of your hunt. I was one of only two guys to have a bear tag, and the only guy to actually fill one, but...wow, just wow! It was probably the best part of the hunt for me.
He stood for about 10 seconds that felt like 10 minutes; then he turned and came my way! I was sprawled across a truck-sized boulder this whole time, rifle resting across my backpack, and I was so ready it just about hurt. He got to the boulder and paused slightly. I hate long shots, and I had to more or less bully myself into taking this one by thinking about my buddy who always asked why the &%$@ we had practiced at 400 and 500 yards for so long if it weren't for just this kind of opportunity. I figured he had a point, so I let fly. The bull reacted strangely, his front legs collapsing so that he was kneeling at the front, standing at the read. I quickly sent another round and he flopped over.
I was so pumped at this point that I had to take a moment to regain my breath. I stood up, and while glassing the inert animal I realized that this moment would be quickly spoiled if I didn't take a whizz right now! So, down go the bibs, and as I stood there peeing onto the tundra I looked up to see another small group of bulls doing their patented power-walk right behind me. They were so close I could actually hear their heels making that weird clicking sound that is characteristic of caribou. One of them looked okay to me, and I had two tags, so I quickly grabbed my rifle and fired offhand as they passed by at maybe 75 yards. The bull dropped, and here I was, alone on the tundra with my first two trophy caribou bulls taken within moments of one another, both lying dead within sight. I couldn't believe it; I took a step forward and did an immediate faceplant...yup, pants still around my knees.
Best of all, on the last day of the hunt, I accompanied a young fellow who had somehow managed not to fill either tag. His guide took him out for one last try, and I went along for the ride (and because I still had bear tag in my pocket). It rained all day, and the only caribou we saw was a spike bull...of course, the spikes were three feet long, but he was still just one point per side, and the lad decided to pass. It was approaching dusk, we were soaked to the skin, and the guide was motoring us back to the camp. We entered a long, narrow lake that we were supposed to just enter and leave 50 yards later, but for some reason I asked the guide if he would mind just taking a quick detour down the waterway for a look-see. We had just enough time, and he agreed to try, much to the dismay of the soaking wet young hunter with us. We hadn't gone 50 yards up the bay before I spotted a huge black bear, at a distance of at least a mile; I had been glassing the entire time and it paid off. We quickly beached the boat and headed inland to intercept the bruin. As we approached the spot, which was littered with large numbers of large boulders and looked like an alien planet set from the old original Star Trek series, I noticed the south end of the north-bound bear disappearing behind one of the giant rocks. I hissed to the guide, he danced back out of my line of fire, and as the bear appeared on the opposite side of the rock and swung his head toward us I fired. He went a short distance, which led to a nerve-wracking and prolonged search, but we eventually found him stone-dead in the brush-choked bottom of a deep draw.
I expected this hunt to be memorable, but it exceeded my expectations in every way. Hopefully yours will be the same. One of the coolest things about caribou hunting is the exotic feel of the terrain, quite different than anything you are accustomed to further south. You hear about how remote some hunt camps are in Africa, but many caribou outfits are located in areas that are far more remote, more isolated and wilder than any African camp. Perhaps one of the Australian buffalo camps might compare, but in any case you know you are not in Kansas anymore when you are out there.
Oh...if the opportunity is there, spend the extra for whatever other tags you can get; bear, wolf, wolverine, whatever. The odds may be against filling them, but considering the potential payoff they are cheap insurance for getting the most out of your hunt. I was one of only two guys to have a bear tag, and the only guy to actually fill one, but...wow, just wow! It was probably the best part of the hunt for me.
powdermaker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Nice bear! Great story too....sad to see caribou numbers crashing in the north. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, gents. Hoyt, you are so right; the memories of any hunt are precious, but this one was spectial in so many ways. I know...and knew then...that the caribou are not world-class, but the hunt was more-or-less a semi-guided deal; I was alone to spot, judge and move on the animals. Since they were my first antlered caribou, I was more than satisfied with the way things went.
The bear was different. I had done a fair bit of bear hunting for the 30 years prior to this hunt, but almost all over bait. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on him, a mile away, that this was the biggest bear I had ever seen. He was, probably still is and probably will remain the single finest trophy I have ever taken. He pretty much spoiled me for baited hunting; I've only done it once or twice since, just lost interest in it. Any bear I've come across since has been sorta "meh". The fact that I found him, rather than the guide...and then re-found him when we had closed the distance, again before the guide... still makes me grin.
Phil, the camp belonged to Mirage outfitters; I don't know if they are still in business or not. This was northern Quebec; at that time they flew their own charter plane from Montreal directly to their main lodge, then smaller bushplanes took hunters to their assorted outlying camps for the actual hunt. The winter meat hunts were done directly from the lodge.
The bear was different. I had done a fair bit of bear hunting for the 30 years prior to this hunt, but almost all over bait. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on him, a mile away, that this was the biggest bear I had ever seen. He was, probably still is and probably will remain the single finest trophy I have ever taken. He pretty much spoiled me for baited hunting; I've only done it once or twice since, just lost interest in it. Any bear I've come across since has been sorta "meh". The fact that I found him, rather than the guide...and then re-found him when we had closed the distance, again before the guide... still makes me grin.
Phil, the camp belonged to Mirage outfitters; I don't know if they are still in business or not. This was northern Quebec; at that time they flew their own charter plane from Montreal directly to their main lodge, then smaller bushplanes took hunters to their assorted outlying camps for the actual hunt. The winter meat hunts were done directly from the lodge.
deerhunter365
Member
- Location
- Stony rapids
I live up in Stony Rapids and get to go to Nunavut often. My house is filled with beautiful caribou antlers. You will have a great time! And keep your eyes peeled for muskox, there definitely my favourite!
ah ah i knew, i guided few years for them ...seems the caribou hunt is over as the decline of population. it was of one if not the best outfit for caribou hunting. the lodge itself was something in the middle of nowhere on the transtaiga ...
Thanks for the story. That was quite the adventure for sure! This will be the first guided hunt I will be going on, and right from the start it has been an adventure for me. Between calling and talking to all the outfits I looked at, and finally when I had picked one, just talking with the outfitter and hearing about some of the hunts they have had. It's been great. Tons of research on gear, and what to expect, etc. It's been a wild ride all the way for me. Met another great guy online, that is going the same time as me, looking really forward to hunting with him and sharing the experience. It's not all about the trophy size, more about the adventure.
This is good advice. Many years ago a brewery had a contest that had the winners fly to an arctic community to see Metallica and a few other bands play a private concert. The bass player for one of the supporting bands was having a loud, visible meltdown because their luggage wasn’t being handled as they thought it should. A small airport full of bemused patrons watched passively. Finally a bandmate leaned in and whispered “Nobody cares!”
Truer words were never spoken.
Absolutely. It's all about the culture up there and taking it all in. I'm not about being catered to, and plan to make the most of of the experience, as it will be my first guided hunt, and will most likely be many years before I have the option of another.
- Location
- Next to Santa Claus. ᑯᒡᓗᒃᑐᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ
Couldn't have said it better myself. I live in Nunavut and have been on numerous caribou hunts. Another piece of advice is that it sometimes snows in September, so while your hunt might be in August, it won't necessarily be the same August weather that you're used to. Bring a good jacket as well so that you can be prepared for those potentially colder days. Also, bring a camera! Over time those memories might fade, but you'll always have those precious photos to look back on. I've lived up here for years and I still take pics when I go on hunts.
I guide Caribou in northern Manitoba at the Nunavut border.
As stated take good rain gear, bring a rifle you are comfortable with, I watch people who bring large magnums and have trouble with shooting them.
I'm sure you are well aware of this but thought I'd mention as I continue to see it, a magnum isn't required, a well placed shot and light gun is best as there can be lots of walking, and sometimes across bogs that can swallow u right up to your crotch if u step in the wrong place.
I personally carry a lightweight rifle I can shoot well and long distance as well as a pack that will hold the rifle on my back, far more comfortable and you generally have time to remove to take a shot.
Also bring quality binos, lots of glassing involved, and I mean lots of glassing, usually hours unless you are lucky enough to hit things just right.
Pack warm and pack lite and most of important of all enjoy it, it's possibly the nicest place and most relaxed place one can ever be.
One last thing, nobody wants to talk about it but I'll say it. There is tonnes of water up north, not to say it will happen but planes do go down.... I always wear on the plane what I am going to guide in, not some tiny jacket, and never tie your boots up, they are boat anchors, that taken from my uncle who went down in the river in one, almost cost him his life and he's possibly one of the most fit people I've met.
Don't take the above comment the wrong way, it's just something that is always overlooked, best to be prepared. That said go enjoy your time on the tundra, it's something that u wont forget and take lots of pics, panoramic pics look amazing.
Cheers, and happy hunting.
Ditto
Very good, if not the best. Up there with Alberta prime rib roast.
Thanks for all of the info. Very good to know! I just ordered a decent pack, as well as recently got a bunch of lightweight clothing. Should be able to have all those bases covered. I wouldn't have thought of that reason to wear gear on the plane, but it certainly makes sense. It was suggested by the outfitter to wear heavy gear on the plane to save weight in your pack.
Thanks for all the feedback. It's great to hear any and all info.
