This Outfitting Company is the longest operating outfitter in Nunavut — offering the very finest hunts for Polar bear, Muskox, Caribou, Barren-ground Grizzly bear and Atlantic walrus hunts. They pioneered polar bear hunting in the High Arctic in 1981 and they have maintained an unparalleled hunting success rate throughout their operations. We think they are about the best and most dependable polar bear outfit there is!
POLAR BEAR: Hunting takes place along well-known polar bear summer and fall shoreline retreats within prime locations. It is a spot and stalk hunt from boats or using ATV’s. It may be possible on the late summer hunts to add on a Walrus. Please check with us on details and availability. The Inuit are the only people in Canada who can legally harvest a polar bear as the system is based on their cultural and subsistence needs and is done through strictly enforced regulations and highly monitored tag allocations. A sustainable harvest quota system set by Canadian scientists and local Inuit Wildlife Management Boards are based on the principles of conservation and aboriginal subsistence hunting, and are not market-driven.
Very limited Polar bear tag numbers exist, so booking early is critical! A year or more ahead is advisable. Accommodations during the hunt are in basic plywood cabins or canvas tents when necessary. This is a spot and stalk fully guided hunt with the use of either a boat when weather conditions permit or side-by-side ATV’s for transportation. An assistant guide is provided for additional support and safety. The hunt is considered over when a polar bear is harvested, even if this occurs in the first day or two.
As of August 2015, the IUCN Red List reports that the worldwide polar bear population estimate is established at 26,000 animals with over 17,000 or two-thirds –located in the Canadian Arctic. Canada is a proven world leader in the management, research, monitoring and conservation of polar bears. The world’s polar bear population has actually more than doubled in number since the 1960’s throughout most of its range due to sound government management policies created in the early 1970’s. Polar bear are long lived as well. They are very wide ranging carnivores with Ringed seals as their primary food source.
Canada’s immediate and long-term management strategy is designed to respond to the full scope of threats that could affect polar bear and their conservation, including but not limited to climate change. A sustainable, sex selective, harvest management plan is implemented through agreements and quotas based on scientific research and consultation with local Inuit and government authorities.
Harvest quotas are based on the principles of conservation and aboriginal subsistence
hunting, and are NOT market-driven. The actual number of polar bears harvested by Inuit
hunters is often less than the government’s established quotas while the highly regulated
non-Inuit recreational hunting quota represents only a small fraction of the overall harvest.
NOTE: POLAR BEARS ARE NOT PRESENTLY IMPORTABLE INTO THE U.S. OR MEXICO.
Seal hunting may be possible on polar bear hunts. You must advise us prior to the hunt if you are interested. It is considered an “add on” and your hunt for polar bear is the priority. The price for hunting seal is arranged between the client and his guide. We simply alert the outfitter as to your wishes so they can make preparations. The client must also obtain a seal license for $5 CAD at the wildlife office. However, sealskins or any by-product thereof ARE NOT IMPORTABLE into the United States or Mexico. Clients from other international destinations are responsible to check the importation laws of their own country.
ARCTIC ISLANDS/BARREN GROUND CARIBOU AND VICTORIA ISLAND/GREENLAND MUSKOX
“Greenland Muskox” for their record book classifications. However, Boone & Crockett, Pope & Young and Grand Slam Club Ovis list these animals as a “Central Canada Barren Ground Caribou” and a “Muskox”. This outfitter has been operating hunts on Victoria Island since 1995 with an unparalleled harvest success rate. Virtually all of the trophy animals taken by bow hunters would qualify for the Pope & Young record book and certainly the SCI record book.
Guides access the hunting areas by snowmobile while hunters are towed behind in an Inuit style sled called a “kamotik”. Travel by snowmobile allows the guide and client to cover a tremendous amount of area. Hunts are conducted for muskox in both spring and fall. The fall hunts are when winter is just starting, so the conditions are not as harsh as in the March-April spring hunts.
Accommodations during the hunt are heated basic plywood cabins that Inuit use as shelters while out on the land (hunters do have the option to stay at the local hotel throughout the hunt at the daily room rate). Camps are situated from less than 1 hour to over 4 hours away by snowmobile ride from the community.
BARREN GROUND MUSKOX
The Barren Ground Muskox (SCI classification) is the largest of all the world’s muskox subspecies. They are found only on the continental mainland of Canada. Big trophy muskox bulls from this region dominate the top entries in the Boone and Crockett and SCI record books.
This outfitter began their hunts for barren ground muskox in March 1986, and since then have maintained an unparalleled harvest success on outstanding muskox bulls taken by both rifle and bow. The hunt package consists of 5 full days, however, it ends immediately after a muskox is harvested. All hunts are based on a 2×2 hunter-to-guide ratio, travelling together on snowmobiles for safety measures. Accommodations during the hunt are heated basic plywood cabins that Inuit use as shelters while out on the land.
WALRUS
This outfitter pioneered walrus hunting in Nunavut, conducting the first non-resident, non-aboriginal hunt in 1995. Their clients have taken 7 of the top 10 Atlantic walrus trophies entered in the SCI record book.
Walrus hunts are carried out with the use of motorized boats to transport you to the hunting areas. When walrus are spotted, they are stalked upon while resting on large ice floes or small rocky island haul outs. Shooting ranges are close in, usually under 40 yards. A brain shot or neck shot for an instant kill is recommended. The success rate to date has been 100%.
Accommodations are within the local community hotel and not included in the package price. Summer is a great time of year to be in the Arctic, with spectacular photographic opportunities, 24 hour daylight, and a better than average chance of seeing a polar bear.
BARREN GROUND GRIZZLY
The barren ground grizzly bear population on the vast tundra north of the tree line of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories continues to expand its range. Hunts are carried out on the continental mainland areas of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories close to the Arctic Ocean coastline. This outfitter has hunted grizzly bears here since the early 1990s with unparalleled harvest success. Eight of the top ten barren ground grizzly bears harvested by clients are officially listed, with 2 more pending entry, into the SCI record book. Seven of these bears have been taken between 2008 and 2015.
Transportation to the hunting area is by snowmobile, enabling hunters to cover far more ground than is possible during fall conditions. The barren ground grizzly bear is well known for its ferocity and fears no animal, man included. The barren ground grizzly bear compares well to the Arctic grizzlies of Alaska,
and similar in size to the mountain grizzly found in British Columbia. Large specimens of barren ground grizzly bears reach up to 8.5 ft., with most hunters harvesting bears in the 7 to 7.5 ft.) range. The barren ground grizzly is the most beautiful of all grizzlies. A single pelt can exhibit four to five colors, ranging from almost black on the forelegs, to blond on the back and cinnamon on the flanks. Their coat is luxuriant with guard hairs able to reach 12 in. in length. NOTE: BARREN GROUND GRIZZLY BEARS OF NUNAVUT ARE CITES IMPORTABLE WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION.
PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received; all prices are per person and in USD)
ALL PRICES ON REQUEST
Polar Bear
xxxxx to $xxxxxx (spring) – 10 days 1×1 guided
xxxxxxxx (summer) – 10 days 1×1 guided
Add muskox for $xxxx (spring hunts only)
Polar Bear and Atlantic Walrus Combo
xxxxxxxxxxx – 10 days with 2 Inuit guides to 1 hunter
Add a Caribou after August 15 for $xxxxx
Victoria Island “Greenland” Muskox
$11,340 – 5 days 1×1 guided (spring only)
Caribou and Muskox Combo
$28,450 to $29,450 – 5 days 2×2 guided
Add an Arctic wolf for $3,650
Atlantic Walrus
$14,480 to $15,240 – 5 days 1×2 guided
Barren Ground Grizzly
$38,500 to $44,850 – 10 days 1×1 guided
Add an Arctic wolf for $3,650
Barren Ground Muskox or Caribou
$18,480 to $19,480 (All-Inclusive) – 6 days 2×2 guided
Add an Arctic wolf for $3,650 or wolverine for $3,650
Observer Fee
$3,850 to $12,840 (depending on specific hunt)
HUNTING DATES: February 15 to May 31 for spring hunts, and August 1 to November 7 for summer/fall hunts. Exact starting dates are negotiable with Arctic air travel flight schedules taken into consideration, and are covered in each client’s hunting contract.
TRAVEL ITINERARY: This outfitter will make it easy for you by providing complete round trip travel
itineraries from the Inuit Village you initially fly to. Once there they will arrange for transport to the Arctic destination where the hunt takes place. Clients will also benefit from their preferred airfare rates that range from 30% to 60% in savings.
DEPOSIT AND BALANCE OF PAYMENT: A 40% deposit of the package price is required within 7 business days to confirm a booking. The balance of payment as indicated on your invoice must be received in our administrative office no later than 60 days prior to the departure date of your hunt. Payments can be made by check or bank wire transfer to Hunt Nation. Just ask for our wiring instructions or mailing address.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: All payments made to the Outfitter are non refundable. However, arrangements can be made for your payments to be used by a replacement hunter of your choosing.
COST INCLUDES:
• The services of an experienced Inuit polar bear guide, assistant guide and gear throughout the
duration of the hunt and field preparation of the trophy.
• All ground transportation from the village to the hunting area.
• The cost for a non-hunting companion includes all items as above and one personal guide.
COST EXCLUDES:
• All travel arrangements from the client’s home to the commercial airport at the pre-arranged Inuit community.
• Hunting license and tag fees.
• Gratuities to guides.
• Canadian Firearms Import License fee of $25 CAD issued by a Canada Customs agent upon entry into the country.
• General Administration Fee of $192 USD.
• Arctic Wildlife Research and Support Fund of $250 USD.
• Sleeping bag, personal clothing and toiletries.
• Archery equipment, rifle and ammunition.
• Excess airline baggage fees.
• Packing and shipping of the trophy; taxidermy fees.
• Cancellation and trip interruption insurance.
• Visitor to Canada Health or Medical Emergency Insurance.
• Federal and Provincial Government sales taxes wherever applicable.
• Any additional hotel costs and meals due to delays caused by flight cancellations or delays due to any reason in surface transfers to camps by snowmobile or any other conveyance that are beyond the control of the Outfitter and its associates.
• Rental of down filled parka, bib overalls and mitts is available for $450 USD.
• Bank wire fees – A one-time fee of $40 USD will be applied to your invoice at time of booking if this method of payment is selected.
NOTE: There is a 50% refund on the 5% Federal Goods and Services Sales tax (GST) to foreign non-residents of Canada applicable only on the hunt cost. POLAR BEARS ARE NOT PRESENTLY IMPORTABLE INTO THE U.S. OR MEXICO.
HUNTING LICENSE & TAG FEES:
The Government of Nunavut fees on foreign non-resident hunting licenses and tags are as follows:
Hunting License $63.00
Polar Bear Tag $1,312.50
Grizzly Bear Tag $1,207.50
Caribou Tag $315.00
Muskox Tag $577.50
Arctic Wolf Tag $178.50
Walrus Tag $5
Nunavut wildlife export permits are free and issued once the harvested animal is registered at the local wildlife office. Polar bear hides and skulls will be shipped to a taxidermist of your choosing within several weeks of your departure. Only Canadian citizens living within Canada can return home with their polar bear hide and skull as excess baggage. Government fees are subject to change without notice.
