Back from the Artic Muskox hunt

[bowhunterforever]

That's awesome congrats

[seth30]

Great job

[Bean Counter]

Congrats on the wooley mammoth! 

[jackelope]

Well, that didn't take long. Congrats!!

[B-Nut]

AWESOME!  Can't wait to hear the story!

[bearpaw]

That's a good looking one, congrats... 

[Natures Way]

That was quick congrats!

[carpsniperg2]

Congrats.

[dewandgin]

 :tup:congrats

[SemperFidelis97]

Can't wait for the write-up tagging for updates.

[ShaneTyTrey]

Very cool, excited to hear the story

[PAW66]

Musk Ox Hunt 2013


After a flight from Seattle to Edmonton, AB and over night. The journey continued through Yellowknife, NT, and Kugluktuk, NU, to Cambridge Bay Nu where our outfitter meet us. There were eight hunters and one observer coming in on this hunt. Went to the wildlife department for hunting licenses, then to the waterfront to board two float plans for the final leg to camp. During the flight you could see how massive and desolate an area we were entering. Saw a few groups of Musk Ox which got the adrenalin pumping.

Upon arrival at camp, we were met by the camp staff  (staff was eight guides, three camp/hunter helpers, two house keeper/servers, and the cook). Accommodations were cabins with oil heaters, no running water, a bucket of water on the stove for washing up and two people assigned to each.

According to our outfitter, the musk Ox on the island has been devastated by a disease and the volume has declined from approx. 50,000 to an estimated 12,000.  This has led to the outfitter having  to fly the areas and locate the various groups.
 
On the first morning me, my guide and hunter helper were taken to an area where a small heard had been spotted.   Landed on a small lake, and left to start our hunt.  Got up on a high nob and spotted two lone bulls grazing across a flat. Decided to get a closer look and began to hike across the tundra.  When we got to within 400 yards, of the bulls, got out the binos and spotting scope for a better look. One of the bulls was much larger than the other and had the horn configuration we were looking for (a drop to the jaw and back up to the eye). While we were watching, the bigger bull laid down.  Thinking we had time we started to work our way closer and when we got to 350 yards the bull got up and both bulls were watching us as we advanced. We decided we would get ready for a shot.  After trying different position I got down prone with the bipod down and a rock solid rest. Dialed the scope to 350 yards and waited for him to turn sideways. When everything was right, squeeze  the trigger and heard the wap you like to hear. The bull took a couple steps and laid down. After a few seconds, he got back up so I put another round in him and he went down for good.  When we got to the bull, we took pictures, the guide and helper skinned the bull for a life size mount, and as the guide caped the head the helper boned out the meat. After everything was ready, the guide took the hide and head, the helper took the meat, and I took the packs and we hiked the 1.3 miles back to the lake to wait for the plane. While waiting for the plane, the guide fletched the hide.

When we arrived back at camp three other hunters had taken their bulls. The second day three more had their bulls and the third day produced the last bull.

Departed camp and returned to the wildlife office in Cambridge Bay to pay trophy fees and get export permits for the hide, horns, and meat.

After several flights to various small towns to deliver freight we were back to Edmonton for overnight and on to Seattle.

The hide and horns have been delivered to the taxidermy for the life size mount.

[stevemiller]

What an awesome adventure that must have been,Thanks for the story and congrats on an awesome trophy. 

[sled]

  What A Shaggy Beast!!!!!!! How Does It Taste?

[deaner]

how did you like the meat?  the natives up in alaska all say they like it better than moose.  but hard to take their word, as they like mok tuk, which is fermented whale blubber.  ive seen a bunch of muskox around the outskirts of nome, and always wanted to creep up and get one, but the whole getting a tag thing...