Taking a friend for his 1st northern hunt experience

Maqaiti

Maqaiti

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Arviat, Nunavut
I am having a friend of mine from the south come up here to Arviat to experience a week of our caribou hunt in late September.
I got him plane tickets (points) and will be at my cabin at a nearby lake for a week. The lake is about 2-3 hours by quad, 30 miles from town.
I am looking for suggestions how to make it an experience of a lifetime for him. All I can think of is try to be the most hospitable and try to limit on how crude our lifestyle may be. My cabin is pretty much a wooden frame with plywood... at least a roof over our heads.
He is a hunter as well, I'm not sure how much different it is between southern & northern style of hunting, butchering, all else, etc.

Any suggestion how to take care of a good friend is appreciated.
 
Make sure you tell him they'll be lot's of drinking, partying and wild ###. When he ask's if the girls will be hot, just say "girls? It'll be just the two of us!" He'll remember that!
 
Beer... be prepared... beer... plan for all surprises... beer... have fun... of and the most important thing... beer. (of course for the evenings around the fire)
 
fuse said:
Make sure you tell him they'll be lot's of drinking, partying and wild ###. When he ask's if the girls will be hot, just say "girls? It'll be just the two of us!" He'll remember that!
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Reminds me of a joke.

1st guy- Hey, you wanna come over to my place tonight? There'll be some drinking, fighting and then some ### in that order?

2nd guy-What time is everyone showing up?

1st guy-Doesn't matter. It'll just be you and me.
 
hahaha... no beer/liqour store for 200 miles. Let alone the town has a prohibition.
I finished my vodka last month, got none until my next trip south. Tea/coffee is the closest I'll be able to offer.

Any ideas on meals? Should I cook our normal food... days catch. Might get some arctic char, pretty much fresh caribou is all we eat other than dry food.
 
Maqaiti said:
I am having a friend of mine from the south come up here to Arviat to experience a week of our caribou hunt in late September.
I got him plane tickets (points) and will be at my cabin at a nearby lake for a week. The lake is about 2-3 hours by quad, 30 miles from town.
I am looking for suggestions how to make it an experience of a lifetime for him. All I can think of is try to be the most hospitable and try to limit on how crude our lifestyle may be. My cabin is pretty much a wooden frame with plywood... at least a roof over our heads.
He is a hunter as well, I'm not sure how much different it is between southern & northern style of hunting, butchering, all else, etc.

Any suggestion how to take care of a good friend is appreciated.
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You pretty much have it covered already. Your buddy gets a free trip up there and a roof over his head so he scores big time right there. Plus gets to hunt also...more points. For food keep it simple and cook up what you would normally eat. Make one night of supper arctic char done up special as a treat.

Or what ever might be a treat for both of you. Remember,you are there to hunt and not be a chef to someone,you have to enjoy the trip also.If someone flew me up for a hunt and I had a roof over my head I would be happy just to chew on a old piece of leather if I had to....:D
 
Sounds like you've done your part, what your pal gets out of the experience will be up to him. If time allows, you could take him out along the coast and to see a bear. Other than that make sure he has appropriate clothing and rain gear when he arrives. Today we have rain driven by a 70 click breeze and September is still two weeks away! Be sure to give him the opportunity to shoot a bit before getting to the hunting camp. Don't be surprised if he has difficulty spotting game for the first few days. It takes time for southern eyes to adjust to the northern landscape. I hope you both enjoy his visit.
 
Ok, thanks for the info on food, I'll stick to our normal menu... just try to have other options.
Boomer- great idea on seeing a polar bear, didn't think of that. You're right about the weather, if feels like it's the middle of September.
 
Tell him that there is no alcohol and if he wants so bring some himself. You will help him drink it. Sounds as if you have everything else covered. Take lots of pics and enjoy the friendship that you have. Forgot to add good luck to you and your guest.
 
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Maqaiti said:
I am having a friend of mine from the south come up here to Arviat to experience a week of our caribou hunt in late September.
I got him plane tickets (points) and will be at my cabin at a nearby lake for a week. The lake is about 2-3 hours by quad, 30 miles from town.
I am looking for suggestions how to make it an experience of a lifetime for him. All I can think of is try to be the most hospitable and try to limit on how crude our lifestyle may be. My cabin is pretty much a wooden frame with plywood... at least a roof over our heads.
He is a hunter as well, I'm not sure how much different it is between southern & northern style of hunting, butchering, all else, etc.

Any suggestion how to take care of a good friend is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Good friends don't need special treatment. I believe you would spoil the trip if you change your lifestyle to accomodate your friend. He will enjoy your company and hunt experience anyway.
 
Maybe it's just me but I wouldn't want any special accommodations :D My favourite thing about traveling to other places is seeing how other people live!

I hope you guys have a blast though :D
 
Maq... Just watch the booze man. While everyone here keeps saying add booze, your buddy from down south will not come away with a good experience if it takes over his trip. The way it's consumed here and down south is 2 entirely different things. There is a reason I no longer drink in the north..... Besides, isn't Arviat restricted? No point in getting him in trouble when he shows up.

That's me being responsible. Can't help it. Other than that, make sure he sees the bears, any whales you may have in the area would be a big plus to someone from south. As well, if you can get some kind of northern souvenir for him he'd love that. I always find a walrus dong bone is awesome. Everyone wants one.. Har! Or if you can offer the opportunity for a tusk he can purchase or get ahold of a "cheap" 1 or 2 foot narwhal tusk.

In the end, if he's a big hunter, he will most appreciate the hunting! Make sure you ask what he expects. He might not think hunting is hunting if you run them down with a quad before shooting, and may prefer hunting by foot. That's how I do it down south. As for food, Im sure you know this, but if you eat traditionally a lot of raw, make sure you have an alternative. He will try probably, but some don't like, and in my experience, the first few times into raw seal, a southern stomach goes bad for a few days. Hunting with the trots is not fun..... Ummmm... Can't think of anything else.

If he's coming, he wants to, and he'll love it. Specifically with a good buddy.
 
Good advise on giving no special treatment. I'll try to make as normal as possible.
The belugas will be gone by then and walrus & narwhals are extremely rare in our part of the country, however there were narwhals around here last week.
Char is pretty much the only food I eat raw... we'll be fine. Munchies- check, music- satellite radio check.
I still have plenty of points from my travels... maybe I'll invite a gunnut next fall. I think I've met about half a dozen so far. Remind me next summer
 
Ronnie, just eat what you eat and let him try all kinds of northern cuisines ... igunaaq, dried fish, maktaaq, natsiq, etc. If you're going inland, pick berries even with him, show him the purple flowers that you can eat, do walks and scope the landscape with him. Definately get him out in a boat even if qinalugaaq are gone as you might see a nanuq. Hopefully you'll get a chance to see a barren grizz maybe. Go fishing for BIG trout too. Forget the booze as it'll just get you guys in sheit. Enjoy and have a blast my friend,

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Make sure he brings proper clothing and gear. The north is beautiful as long as you are prepared for it. Walmart camo and nylon blaze touques won't help him enjoy the hunt. Wish I was going.

regards Darryl
 
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