Mountain Caribou Hunts in the Northwest Territories

ABOUT OUTFITTER:
The owner of this operation has lived where they operate since the late 1970’s, and have spent every summer and fall guiding hunters. The outfitters is also a licensed pilot, along with having a strong background in wildlife biology. With exclusive outfitting rights to this expansive territory, their team is dedicated to providing a hunting experience rooted in tradition, conservation, and adventure. Prioritizing quality over quantity, they limit the number of hunters they take each season, ensuring a low harvest rate across all species. Their approach focuses on selecting only the oldest, most mature animals, safeguarding the future of the wildlife population while maintaining a true fair-chase hunting experience. They offer hunts for Dall Sheep, Moose, and Mountain Caribou.

This nearly 10,000-square-mile wilderness is accessible only by bush aircraft. The untouched beauty of this vast landscape, shaped by the watersheds of the local Rivers, is home to an abundance of wildlife. The remoteness of the region not only preserves its raw, untamed character but also offers an experience few will ever know—trekking through terrain where no human has set foot before. The sheer scale of the concession allows for continual exploration, with many areas remaining untouched by hunters for years at a time. This commitment to sustainable hunting and deep respect for the land ensures that every expedition is not only a hunt but an immersion into one of the last great wildernesses on Earth.

HUNT DETAILS:
During the September Caribou hunts, they have established heated tent frame camps for your comfort, although "spiking out" is sometimes required if the weather is warm, and the caribou are staying higher. After you are through hunting, you will be picked up either at your original point of departure or at another prearranged pick-up point and be flown back to base-camp for your flight back to Norman Wells.

This country is very well suited to bowhunting, due to the diversity of the terrain, and the very high game densities supported by exceptional winter range. They take a number of bowhunting clients every year, and have had great archery success on all of the primary species they hunt (Sheep, Moose, and Caribou). The ideal hunts for archery include the August High Country Caribou hunts, and the 15 day Sheep Hunt August 27-September 12. If you are interested in hunting big Mountain Caribou with a bow, the 10 day high country hunts in August give you lots of time to find a great bull, and then stay on him until you get your opportunity. At that time of year, the bulls are living in small bachelor groups in the high basins, and so they present you with chances for close stalking.

The 15 day hunt starting August 27 is ideal if you are interested in both sheep and caribou with the bow. At that time of the year, the rams begin to move down out of the highest summer ranges, and often spend time in more broken country, and at times on scattered timber ridges, making close stalks easier. The extra time in the hunt allows you to wait for the right stalk, and even to make multiple stalks if necessary. The Moose hunting is done during the rut in September, and calling is very effective in bringing your bull within range for a good shot- and some exciting close range action with a 1,500 animal animal as a bonus! t is also an excellent time to hunt Mountain Caribou (if tags/quota is available), as they move down out of the mountains into the foothills to prepare for the rut, and are concentrating in large numbers. Wolf and Wolverine are also included in this hunt package.

You will be highly mobile, and will generally work your way through the mountain range in search of game. You may also stay in one of their comfortable camps for the duration of your hunt. They put a great deal of time into planning your hunt, and choosing a great starting point for you, based on their knowledge of the area, and the seasonal distribution of game. Most of the time, you will be able to find great trophies in the area that you start your hunt in, but in the rare case that you aren’t, they can always move you to a different area later on in the hunt, if necessary, and weather permitting. They also float the river in whitewater rafts on some hunts, particularly later in the season when game is beginning to move onto its winter ranges. This is an exciting way to travel through a lot of spectacular country, and to see a lot of game.

For many, hunting on horseback in remote country is as good as it gets, and highlights the nostalgia of hunting in the North Country, when horses were the only feasible means of travel in the vast wilderness found in the region. Their excellent horse crew is there to provide you with an opportunity to enjoy this experience with them, and to explore seldom hunted country on one of a variety of horseback hunt options. On these hunts, you’ll be able to cover a great deal of country without packing heavy loads on your back, but will still spend much time hunting on foot. The country they hunt on horseback is excellent for all species, and consistently produces exceptional trophies.

They supply all camp equipment, food, guides and their years of experience. Their equipment is top quality and is kept in excellent condition. You are required to bring your personal gear— backpack, bedroll/sleeping pad, binoculars, rifle/ammunition, boots and clothing. A complete information letter that includes an equipment list with some recommendations is mailed to you well in advance of the hunt. Their base-camp is equipped with satellite communications and HF radios enabling them to readily contact the "outside world" should the need arise. All of their guides carry hand-held satellite phones for safety and logistical reasons.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
You and your guide will be comfortable and self-sufficient, staying in high quality, lightweight mountaineering tents, which the outfitter provides. They also have several comfortable cabins situated at various locations in the heart of great game country, so you may stop at one of these for a day or two, or to escape bad weather if you happen to be in the area. Base-camp has comfortable log and frame cabins, shower facilities, meat-houses and other conveniences. They also have a number of out camps consisting of comfortable tent frames and cabins, which are used seasonally on particular types of hunts.

LICENSE INFORMATION:
Licenses and tags are purchased upon arrival or by the outfitter.