What calibre would you choose for ...

[Otokiak]

What calibre would you choose for NARWHAL? I sold my boat last year so I'm SOL to even apply for a tag but it would appear some friends from home have got theirs ... so good luck and happy hunting. I'm curious to see/hear what rifle you would choose to hunt such a large mammal.

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

p.s. for those folks who don't know what a NARWHAL is ... it's the unicorn of the sea!

 

[CV32]

I'm curious to see/hear what rifle you would choose to hunt such a large mammal.

I suspect most any big game caliber will do, but it had better be plenty accurate!

 

[teenahlake]

45-70 slower/heavier rounds penetrate further in water.

 

[ibloom]

narwhal!? geez, let's see... do harpoons have calibres?

 

[CV32]

45-70 slower/heavier rounds penetrate further in water.

I've never hunted narwhal, but if its anything like seals, and I expect there are some comparisons that could be drawn, then shooting at a submerged target is a good way to miss/lose your quarry.

 

[Boomer]

I'd suggest a .458 Winchester loaded with solids. My pal Pounder sold one to someone up in your neck of the woods, and it apparently has done well for such duty.

 

[ShootSavage]

A NARWHAL!!, this is a new one for me, I didn't even think they were hunted, (guess you learn something new every day). What part of the world do you hunt them, and do you eat them (I would guess you do).

Not judging at all just curious about something I never new existed (the hunt I mean)

 

[oopswasthatyourdog?]

I'm sure there have been plenty taken with the 303......
hard to answer as I have no clue as to their bone structure, mass, kill zone?????

For regular unicorns I use a spear.....

 

[skinnymagoo]

anything less then a 50 cal and you're hooped, but you should just take a sword and do it the manly way and fence it to death.

 

[MiG25]

that is freaking awesome, how many tags are there?

 

[saskcop]

Do you have any pics of these hunts? You have opened up a whole new area for us Nutz's to discuss.

 

[oopswasthatyourdog?]

Otokiak had an awesome thread a few years ago with a ton of pics from Rankin Inlet...... The scenery is breathtaking to say the least. I believe there were pics of his brother or cousin with whales they had hunted.
His pictures are inspiring for any outdoorsman.....I think the thread was in the photo gallery section.

 

[JAGDMORDER]

Narwahl defence? lol
Im sure alot of .303 are kicking around up there and I am sure they have been used for this purpose.

 

[sealhunter]

More than enough have been done in with the 30/30..

30/06...
.308...

 

[AKD]

.50 cal why not.

 

[Jay]

308 and up... Not sure what James Quillaq used to harvest the narwhale that I bought the tusk from. I have the harpoon he used to! Nice conversation piece & the first thing I bought when I arrived in Pond Inlet on my way to Cape Christian...

Post pics O, post pics!!!

Cheers
Jay

 

[AKD]

you to J

post pics

 

[saskcop]

Many people asking for pics!!!! (hint, hint)

 

[slick39]

I never knew you could even hunt Narwhal?! Would you not use a harpoon or a bow and arrow?? I remember seeing on mythbusters that most ammunition is basically ineffective after a foot or two of water? If using a firearm though I would want something that shoots at a lower velocity and has higher mass.

 

[trebor2880]

Narwhal? I thought they would be in the same classifacation as Mermaids and Unicorns.