Arctic bow hunt for Musk Ox










This was my most recent Arctic bow hunt for Musk Ox and Baron Ground Caribou. Hunted the Canadian providence of Nunavut out of the town, Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island. The guide company was "Canada North". The hunt area is very far north. Travelled 50 miles on snow mobile to the base camp. The 1st day going into camp took 6 hours due to snow and fog conditions. Temps averaged 8-25 degrees F, and with wind chill factors of -15 to-25. Some day’s snow, wind and fog from low cloud cover. The key to staying warm was layers and the right clothing. We had specialized Canadian Goose parkas and pants on top of other layers. And Baffin boots. Each day Would travel out of camp 3-4 hours on snow machine one way. Was very open ground as can be seen with pictures.
Shot a very old Musk Ox at 40 yards and a 5 to 6-year-old Caribou at 55 yards. Actually shot the Caribou as he was fighting another bull. They were in the rut. The only way I could get close enough for a bow shot in the open country was him fighting the other bull. The fight lasted about 5 minutes and I snuck into 55 yards for the shot. He had 22 total score-able points. You have to hunt in pairs (2 guides, and 2 snow machines) for safety reasons. Was a great hunt, and I had luck on my side. Both Musk Ox and Caribou were few and far between. My Samurai 125's preformed flawlessly in some of the harshest hunting conditions on earth. Steve Coale