Typical Day & Tactics

The outfitter’s staff greet our clients in Yellowknife and chauffer them to the hotel. The charter flight departs early the next morning which gives hunters just enough time to enjoy this unique northern territorial capital for half a day with the other hunters. Visit artist boutiques, museums, overlooks, taverns and feature restaurants showcasing locally sourced northern ingredients. Assemble in the lobby at 7 am the following morning and depart on a 1.5-hour flight due north arriving at the main lodge nestled in the hunting area. The reminder of the day is spent confirming your zero, securing your licensing, preparing your equipment, getting to know the guides and staff, and perhaps some quick fishing and a lovely dinner. The following six full days are now spent hunting and fishing.

Fly out from the lodge to one of the corners of the vast lake the following morning and continue by boat or on foot, using the coastal lake dunes to traverse this landscape in search of trophy Musk Ox who are often observed not far inland. Plan for classic, long range spot and stalk type hunting. It’s the peak rut and bulls are quite aggressive this time of year warding off rival males for breeding rights. They emit a low guttural roar (that so few hunters get to experience) that can be heard for miles and sounds like a lion! Same with the thundering and clash of battle! At times we come across lone bulls cruising between herds – either ostracized or looking for a fight. More often however, it’s a herd of roughly a dozen or more animals. The dominant herd bull will often not be the highest scoring bull, and usually an aging “past-his-prime” satellite bull with a regressed body but ever-growing horns finds himself in our hunters’ crosshairs. This is the perfect no-net loss animal to take when thinking of conservation, and so the guides take the judging process very seriously. For many, inspecting all the animals is their favorite part of the hunt.

At the end of each day, head back to the lodge for dinner, drinks and story-telling with the gang. Once tagged-out enjoy some of the finest guided trophy Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling fishing on the planet, already part of each package. Specialty fly-outs to select corners of the lake, or other waterbodies for Trout and Grayling, as well as Arctic Char and Inconnu may also be available, weather and logistics dependent. At the end of the week, fly back to Yellowknife in time to get your Musk Ox export license and catch your flight home.

Landscape & Climate

Soak up some of mainland Canada’s most remote region, in this seemingly endless and mysteriously beautiful landscape. Each stalk has the potential to be the first person to ever plant their foot in a certain spot. Its vast, sprawling and expansive and is best appreciated during the low flying charter flights. Here the boreal forest and tundra clash to form the Taiga biome best identified by sparse, stunted black spruce and tamarack trees. Low lying areas are comprised of peat bogs and marshy, willow choked river valleys, while the high ground exposes the rugged granite bedrock of the Canadian shield. Pitcher plants, sphagnum, sedges, cotton grass, blue berries and current bushes make up the understory, which provides for hosts of other wildlife, often seen during these Ox hunts. This region is also home to Barren ground Grizzlies and Caribou, huge Moose, Wolves, Wolverines, Foxes, Eagles, Loons and Ptarmigan.

This is a fair-weather hunt with pleasant early fall hunting conditions. Don’t expect to see any snow, or temperatures much below the freezing mark, except perhaps overnight or as a freak occurrence. Generally, weather is mild, hovering above the freezing mark with frosty mornings that warm up throughout the day. High wind can be prevalent up north, and some sheltered wet areas may still have some insects buzzing around. Some light rain as systems blow through can be expected, but heavy rain is not typical.

Meals & Accommodations

For above the Arctic circle, this is considered 5-star luxury! Enjoy private lakeside cabins with separate bedrooms and three-piece bathrooms heated by wood stove or baseboard heaters. The main lodge is connected by a wraparound wooden walking path complete with a large stone fireplace, recliners and couches, wifi, a full bar and billiards table adjoining a large dining room. The camp store is nearby and has all the local fishing gear, another bar, and gift shop. A great place to grab a beer, hang out and chat with all the guides and hunters about the day.

The meals are fabulous. A chef is hired each season creating incredible gourmet three course meals. Enjoy a full breakfast with all the popular menu items. Bagged and boxed lunches are usually taken in the field for the day, complete with hearty sandwiches, freshly baked goods, fruit & soft drinks. Once back in camp for the day, enjoy cocktail hour with delicious hors d’oeuvres as dinner receives its final touches. With a constantly changing menu of both imported and locally scrounged, you are sure to leave each meal both impressed and satiated.

Key Equipment Suggestions

Due to the all-encompassing nature of this package, these Musk Ox hunts only requires a basic equipment list. A quality layering system, good internal-frame day-pack, 10x binoculars, rangefinder, comfortable trekking waterproof boots, shooting/walking stick, rain gear, sunglasses, some insect repellent and a digital camera cover the essentials.