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Note: This
GREAT Musk Ox hunt is in the extreme north. Spring or Fall
Hunt
musk ox located along Canada's northern
most Arctic coast on the edge of the tree line. Here you will
find some of the worlds most exotic animals - the prehistoric
musk ox and the barren grounds caribou. The remote hunting areas
are spread over an expansive area where animals are plentiful.
Here hunting pressure is non-existent, providing a great opportunity
for hunters to fulfill their dream. Success rates are extremely
high on trophy class musk ox . The tundra has many
eskers and ridges allowing you to get on higher ground to glass.
The eskers and ridges also provide good ground cover enabling
hunters to get within rifle muzzleloader or bow range. The terrain
is generally dry and rocky. Typically you will see several scattered
bands of musk ox before making your final
hunt. This location is easily accessible by scheduled plane
from Yellowknife and hunters then travel by snowmobile and
all terrain vehicles (weather permitting) into the hunting areas. The spot and stalk
method is usually the recommended way to hunt. Our experienced
Inuvialuit guides are all hunters themselves and extremely knowledgeable
and know the musk ox and the hunt areas well. Their expertise
ensures that each client will be positioned in the best hunting
location possible. |
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Musk ox population has
been on the increase for years and our area has one of the largest
concentrations in the Arctic. The musk ox is an extremely sturdy
animal that inhabits this remote wilderness area year-round well
above the Arctic Circle. When threatened, it forms a protective
circle, making it easy for hunters to spot their trophy. When intimidated
or threatened, they try to intimidate their would-be attacker. They
do this by stampeding or forming a defensive line, a technique where
they stand shoulder to shoulder and stare down the predator. If
the predator does come too close, musk oxen will use their horns
to either spear it or throw it around. Like the bison, musk ox have
very long life spans and are extremely large animals - they can
grow to eight feet in length and weigh close to 800+ pounds. These
animals live on the arctic tundra and spend most of their time on
hilltops or in river valleys and meadows. They travel in packs of
10-20 and must move continually to maintain food supply, often
traveling
as far as 15 miles in a day. Musk ox hunts are conducted in March
until the end of April as well as from Mid August to Late October. Guides travel with hunters to the areas where
the Musk Oxen are grazing by snowmobiles or all terrain vehicles,
dependant on the weather, with the final stalking done on foot.
All hunts are one on one with every effort being made to ensure
a successful hunt. The guides are English speaking local Inuvialuit
who are well versed in hunting techniques and traditional land and
animal knowledge. Typically there will be only 1 or 2 hunters in a
group - but 3 or 4 can be accommodated if your group is larger.
While the trip is scheduled
for five, the hunting time can be shorter due to the abundance
of musk ox. You should have the opportunity to look over great numbers
of musk ox and anticipate a successful hunt.
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Expect to see some beautiful
sunsets and spectacular northern lights as the sky becomes alive
in a blaze of glory... the famous Aurora Borealis. Bring a camera
and capture these memories, the experience is unforgettable!
Wolf and wolverine are seen frequently and occasionally taken.
Keep in mind that this trip is in local winter so fishing is not an
option on Spring Musk - ox trip. Lake
Trout and Northern Pike are in the area. With
the arctic climate, fish take longer to reproduce so we practice
catch-and-release and require barbless hooks, so we can assure
great fishing for the future.
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*Remote Wilderness Hunts:
Depending on the travel and location of the musk ox band -
your hunt typically will be from remote tent camp established
in close proximity to where the musk ox are spending their
days. Camp accommodations may be near town or out as far as required to
locate the best hunting. This camp will do everything
possible to make sure hunters are as comfortable as possible
in remote tent camp. The main focus
will be to put the hunter in the best location for a quality
hunt with out an excessive amount of travel from
accommodations to hunting grounds.
A non-hunting companion can join you on this hunt for an additional
fee.
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Musk ox
hunts are 3-5 days. Bow hunters, Muzzleloaders
or Rifle hunters welcome. A
very limited hunters are accommodated for musk ox hunters each year.
Outfitter prefer small group of 2 (or 3-4 hunters- if necessary). The hunt is
scheduled for 5 days, but is usually shorter due to abundance of game.
Hunts end when animal is harvested.
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Musk
Ox Season |
September 15th to April 30 |
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Temperatures in the barren grounds can vary from year to year, March should have temperatures
ranging from -20 to -50F. April should be a bit warmer with temperatures
of 35 to -20F. Being well prepared with proper clothing & gear
will maximize your comfort on this arctic adventure.
Hunter may take meat home with them, but they should bring
meat bags and duffel bags for the meat. Trophy bull Musk Ox meat is
not typically considered very good.
CITES and Wildlife Export Permits are available at Resources, Wildlife
and Economic Development offices in Inuvik. There is no fee for these
export permits. However, non-resident and non-resident alien hunters
are required to pay a trophy fee when exporting big game they have
harvested.
Musk Ox $150.00 CAD plus GST trophy fee per musk ox.
List of references available upon request |
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Home
cooked meals
Tent accommodations
Services of a licensed guide
Transportation during the hunt
All skinning, fleshing, salting and meat processing |
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Travel
expense to and from NWT or Holman
Meals and accommodations before and after the hunt
License and trophy fee and 3% GST tax
Excess baggage and/or over weight charge
Costs for shipping and taxidermy fees
Gratuities and personal effects. |
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Air transportation into
Yellowknife, NWT is convenient with daily jet service from USA, Europe, Asia
and Southern Canada. Also accessible by the renowned Dempster
Highway which is open year round with the exception of two 4 week
periods in the spring and fall when access by ferry or winter roads
is unsafe. A trip down this highway adds to the experience with
dramatic scenery and wildlife viewing, a true wilderness adventure.
Guests drive up or fly
into Yellowknife, North West Territories, Canada via Edmonton
Alberta, Canada and then on to Holman (flights Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday). Our E-Brochure contains a lot of details on this remote
travel arrangements and a local NWT travel agent to assist hunters
with travel.
We will send complete
details in our referral E-Brochure - upon specific request of info.
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For
information, Dates and Rates on our
hunts please phone or Contact
Us by email. |
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Box
444 · Woodlands, Manitoba (Canada) · R0C 3H0
Tel: (888) 286-0433 | Contact Us
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1992 Ace Wilderness Guiding Manitoba Hunts All rights reserved |