2025 Fall Nunavut Musk Ox/ Caribou

[Joseph2186]

This hunt really began several years ago, when I was trapped in a small cabin in Newfoundland during a moose hunt. My fellow hunter and I had both taken two fantastic bulls, but we were stuck for six long days due to terrible weather.

She was a Canadian resident, and as we talked to pass the time, she mentioned that her favorite animal to hunt was the musk ox — something she pursued almost every year.

Musk ox had always been on my radar, but I’ll be honest, the idea of being half frozen — even dressed like the kid from A Christmas Story — never really appealed to me. When she told me she hunted them in the fall, I was surprised; I hadn’t realized that was even an option outside of Greenland. She invited me to go the following year, but I already had a Dall sheep hunt on the books.

Fast forward to 2024, and I was finally ready to head to the Arctic. When I started researching outfitters, it came down to Canada North Outfitting or Aylmer’s Lodge. The price was about the same once everything was factored in, but after an hour-long conversation with Shane Black from Canada North, I was sold.

He didn’t try to “sell” me a hunt — it felt more like talking with a friend. His knowledge of Arctic hunting and the people who live there was impressive. During our chat, I asked if there were any other animals I could possibly hunt while up there, and he mentioned he still had a tag available for a Central Canadian barren-ground caribou in 2025. I jumped on it right away.

With caribou numbers declining and costs skyrocketing, it felt like a “now or never” opportunity. The fellow hunter I’d met in Newfoundland who I got along with, would be the 2nd hunter in the camp.

Once I sent in my deposit, all that was left to do was prepare… and wait.

 

[sierracharlie338]

So this “fellow hunter”…………. Is a random person you met on a hunt in Newfoundland or a known associate from home? Just trying to place all the pieces of the puzzle…..

On another note I just randomly saw the Meat Eater episode where he hunts musk ox. It definitely looks like a the trip of a lifetime and a caribou hunt is on my bucket list.

 

[Joseph2186]

My hunt was scheduled for September 17th to the 24th. I chose a option for my hunt where they handle everything beyond my flights to and from Winnipeg. Gina who does all this was amazing and communication was great she put up with all my questions and if she didnt know got the answers.
I trained for hiking around on the tundra having experienced both in the Brooks Range and the tuckamore in Newfoundland "which to me was so much wose than going up a mountain". The stair stepper after work everynigjt and walking the hills of PA with my pack I was very confident I wouldnt have issues.
A few months out from the hunt and after my final deposit was sent Gina sent my flights into the arctic with Calm air and information about hotel reservation. I got the last of my gear the Kuiu Gale force just incase the weather turned cold. I was shocked to hear that I shouldn't bring a hunting pack and just a back pack. And my weight limit for gear would be 50lbs.
After changing up some of my gear I was ready. I got through the pittsburgh airport without any issues and the flight to Minneapolis and winnipeg went smoothly besides one of my ears not popping due to a sinus infection I was just getting over. "Wouldnt clear up for 2 days"
Once in Winnipeg I was in absolutely no hurry as customs was at my destination and of course I was in and out in record time. I walked across the street with my bags and checked into my hotel. The room was very nice and comfortable. I settled in for the evening and ordered a pizza since the restraunts were mostly closed.
Yes my boots were electric taped to be my small carry on item to save weight in my bag.

 

[Joseph2186]

So this “fellow hunter”…………. Is a random person you met on a hunt in Newfoundland or a known associate from home? Just trying to place all the pieces of the puzzle…..

On another note I just randomly saw the Meat Eater episode where he hunts musk ox. It definitely looks like a the trip of a lifetime and a caribou hunt is on my bucket list.

She was a completely random person I met for the first time there.

 

[Joseph2186]

Well even the best laid plans especially with me never work out. My flight to the arctic had to be delayed due to poor weather. What was supposed to be a short stay 2 days in Winnipeg turned into 4.
Shane Black who was operating out of Winnipeg did his best to pass the time waiting and took the hunters to the Winnipeg Art Museum and dinner every night so it wasnt sitting in a hotel all day doing nothing.
The carvings were very impressive and some of them well interesting is all I'll say.
Skip to the 19th of September Shane met us at the airport and saw everyone off. Finially on the way to the arctic, Ive never flown on calm air the flight was virtually empty on the way to Rankin Inlet. When the stewardess asked what Id like for breakfast on the 2 hour flight I was shocked that this company was offering a breakfast but on my 6 hour flight on Delta I got a granola bar.
We landed in Rankin inlet around 11am and now had to wait to fly to Baker Lake the flight wasnt until 330 pm. The weather still wasnt great it was raining windy and very foggy some flight were canceled. Gina had told me that if the flight was canceled she had arrangements ready to go in Rankin should this happen.
The wait was long but the weather inproved and the flight the Baker arrived on time and I was off to my final destination. I was met at the small building that was the airport by the local hotel mamage and got a ride to the hotel and checked in.

 

[Joseph2186]

Two of the pieces that Id say were interesting. I had no Idea the Inuit people were so into norse culture.

 

[sierracharlie338]

She was a completely random person I met for the first time there.

When’s the wedding

J/k that’s pretty cool being able to cultivate friendships that translates to future hunts in other locations. Enough of a detour I’m listening for the actual story!

 

[Joseph2186]

After what was a very restless night of attempted sleep sunrise came. Only to be disappointed to find that the extrehigh winds and fog made hunting impossible as it would be unsafe. Walking to the small restaurant in the hotel I met another hunter who had been there since the 15th hunting with Canada north. He got a decent musk ox a few days prior and was trying for a caribou by boat but like the rest of us was not hunting this day. He hadnt seen any caribou and complained how bad his back hurt from the quad ride earlier in the week.
The weather continued into the next day but was starting to clear up. We got the unfortunate news that the community freezer had broken where all the animals were being stored and that the guides had to fix that before we could go out hunting. Not the way I wanted to spend my birthday. Shane called and wished me happy birthday and apologized for the delays on the trip and offered me a few options.
Having already lost so many days of the trip I was offered a complete refund for everything, to come back the following year no charges, or extend my hunt he'd cover the fligh change costs and the hotel and if I was unsuccessful he'd make it right. I spoke with my wife on her opinion as Im lucky Im allowed to travel and do these trips. She said to just wait it out and see what happens. I told Shane Id stay but if Im not hunting the next day I wanted the refund. He seemed extremely confident that Id get on animals and the time frame wouldnt be an issue.

 

[Joseph2186]

That evening I met my guide Randy he said he'd pick me up at 0800 the next morning and we should be into musk ox a few hours by quad outside of town.
I was unable to sleep that night and was up at 0400 to get ready and then wait till 630 to get breakfast. I ate a light breakfast and atound 0745 Randy and Leo the other guide showed up. They take hunter in pairs for safety which wed later find out why. It was cool but not uncomfortable probably around 38F. He asked what kinda rifle I brough I said a .300 Win Mag and he made a odd face. I asked is that to much gun ? He said no that it may be a little under gunned. Apparently the previous hunter had a 300 win and didnt do to good at putting a bull down effectively. I was slight worried about when I head this but knowing Im a pretty decent shooter and was using 180 grain accubonds I pushed these concerns out of my mind and loaded my small pack and rifle on the quad and we were off.
The road lasted for a couple miles out side of town then we were on the tundra and quickly I found what the other hunter had talked about being sore. The terrain beat the hell out of me. My seat was a memory foam pillow on the back rack of a straight rear axle honda.
After about and hour of getting beat up by the rocky terrain we made it to our first glassing spot. I opted to walk up the hill to hive my legs and backs a "break". Also I felt safer doing this and I had no helmet. We got the the top and glassed for 10 or 15 minutes could see for miles but there were so many hills and gullies and wavey terrain the musk ox could be anywhere.
Several times I though I saw animals only for randy to say thats a rock. There were snow geese everywhere and their movements made finding our quarry difficult.
Randy and Leo talked in their language pointed then in english for our benefit. They said there was a large herd that hadnt been hunted yet this season in this area a few days prior and should still be around. We headed a few miles further to the next large glassing point. Once again nothing, although the fog was mostly gone the smoke feom the forest fires much farther south made very long distance glassing difficult.
Randy said we were splitting up to cover more ground. Randy and I went toward the ridge a few miles to the right and Leo and dawn to the left. The next 2 miles were hell I felt every rock and my back was and shoulders were screaming. The shoulders from holding onto the quad rack to kep on the quad and steady.
We got onto the ridge and I spotted a large white blob about 50 yards away. I cept up on it thinking it was an arctic fox. Instead I found the biggest rabbit Ive ever seen in my life. I took a short video of it as I got to within 10 feet due to wind it didnt hear me. After snapping video and a few pictures I went back to glassing. On the very distant ridge about 5 miles away there was a single musk ox but it was a very small bull.
Leo them messaged Randy they had starlink with them. He had spotted the big herd 6 miles out. We loaded back on the quad and made our way over to them. From the ride I could see many brown/ black dots in the distance.
They came up with a game plan and I won the first opportunity and choice of bulls. It took nearly and hour to get within 500 yards of the herd the wind was strong but in our favor. Randy asked what I was comfortable with shooting and I said I practice to 500 but the closer the better.
The 4 of us carefully stalked up the the very edge of our boulder field running out of cover at 379 yards from the herd. Now to find a bull there were several big bulls in the herd but then I heard Randy and Leao say theres a monster. Me having zero experience looking at musk ox asked which one. In the middle of the herd there was a cow and a giant bull behind her that I didnt see earlier. Randy said thats your bull get ready.
I ranged him at 364 yards further than Id prefer but still in my comfort zone. I kneeled next to the rock which was about 2ft high and watched the bull waiting for a clear shot and no animals behind him. My opportunity came I slowed my breathing began to squeeze the trigger it broke smoothly and then nothing a click. Im my excitement and for safety I hadnt chambered a round.
The bull moved back behind the cow, embarrassed I chanbered a round and refound the bull. He had moved further back into the herd. Randy say 378 I once again calmed myself he took the step I needed and the rifle roared. He went down hard, I chanbered another round Randy said hit him again I could see the bull was trying to get back up. The 2nd shot hit solidly in the lungs but he was still trying to get up. Randy said give him one more. A shot to the neck put him down for good. The herd didnt relize what happend and one of the other bulls rammed my bull as he was laying there.
Dawn who was 40 yards away up to bat. There were still 2 big bulls the one on the furthest left to me looked to be really big. She set up the the shot never presented and the herd slowly began to move over the ridge. Once Leo and dawn got on there quad to head after them me and Randy got the quad and drove down to check out my bull and get to work.
I was shocked and the size of the bull when I walked up to him. His head was massive and he was just solid bone and muscle. Randy congratulated me and we took pictures he said that he was a fantastic bull. There was no smell to him at all.
After taking many pictures we went to butchering the bull. I was suprised that all 3 rounds were complete pass through with 2 going into the lungs one a little hig and one breaking his spine. There was not much fat on him. One back stap was over 3ft in length. Between the 2 of us quick work was made although Randy did most of the knife swinging I did more of the moving and transporting meat to the tarp. Which thanks to the advice of Steve-O on here I brought.

 

[Joseph2186]

The arctic hair I swear it looked 3 ft long. You can see my bull down and the rest of the herd just handing out