I think for most people who are avid hunters in North America, I would say they have a dream hunt: such as an African safari hunt for a lion or hippopotamus, or New Zealand for a red stag, or Saskatchewan for a monster white tail deer or legendary waterfowl shoot. A dream hunt where you get the opportunity to travel someplace outside of your ‘known stomping grounds’ and harvest an animal that provides some type of meaning or connection to themselves. I am not sure when I really first thought about it, but my dream hunt has always been to harvest a muskox.

So there are 2 ways in which a person can do this: pay $$$$ for a 4 – 6 day guided hunt, or move to a remote fly in arctic community with your wife and immerse yourselves in the culture, get to know the people, and take part in an adventure of a life time. We chose the latter.

I found out in February that my muskox tag was for the main land, meaning that I would have to travel at minimum 25 miles one way by snowmobile to reach the main land in order to hunt. I was very excited, however at that time it was very cold and the limited day light hours (as well as not knowing what direction to head once we got to the main land) would add some challenges. But never the less I was up for the challenge; now I just had to convince someone local that they should go on a muskox hunt with me to the main land…

February and March were full months as far as Elliott and I being busy with different activities and events in and out of Gjoa Haven. But my dream hunt was always in the back of my mind; it was so close yet still just a dream. And then, towards the end of March, the local Conservation Officer told me that my tag was moved form the Mainland to King William Island – the harvest quota for the Island had increased. I was so jacked up and felt so lucky and blessed, the dream was closer but my time was getting shorter as the muskox season closed April 15. I just had to continue to be patient for my chance at my dream hunt.

Prior to the Christmas break, myself and Louie Kamookak (a Student Support Assistant I work with at the school) had floated the idea of doing a cultural/traditional/heritage-based outdoor education excursion with high school students. Some of the ideas included multi-day trips such as: setting nets and a caribou hunt at the mouth of Back River (80 miles south of Gjoa Haven), taking part in a bearded seal hunt (80 miles west of Gjoa Haven), and a Muskox hunting day trip on King William Island. The logistics and cost of 160-mile/multi-day trips, traveling by snow machine during -40 °C/°F and colder temperatures with high school students had a few variables and challenges to overcome. Louie and I decided to put the multi-day trips on the back burner for the time being.

This semester I have been teaching an elective high school class called Hunting and Wildlife Management. Part of the curriculum includes a practical skills element for developing out door skills and hunting tactics. This was the perfect platform for a Muskox hunting day trip.

I asked the local conservation officer about the possibility of getting a Muskox tag for the school. He did some checking and asked the Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association (HTO) board to release the tag for the school. The HTO is a go-between organization that works to support individual hunters and trappers in the community and the Nunavut Department of Environment (DOE). The HTO is also responsible for allocating hunting tags for various wildlife management areas based on the wild life population numbers provided by the DOE. I was very excited to learn that the school was allocated 2 Muskox tags!

So, after filling out some paper work, obtaining parental permission, and gathering supplies, we were set to go on our hunt. Myself, Louie, Jacob (an Elder from the community), and 5 students loaded up gear and headed out on the land. It was a sunny, crisp -23°C (-33°C /-27°F wind chill) morning, heading south west of the community. We traveled by two snowmobiles pulling 2 qamutiks (sleds) for about 20 miles before we came across a fresh muskox track. The hoof print indicated we were pursuing a medium sized bull. I was stoked, but also a little disappointed because if there was only a solo animal, I would not be able to have a chance for a shot, as I was letting one the students have the first opportunity. But nevertheless, one muskox is better then none. So we followed the track and saw several spots where the animal had scraped through the crusted snow to feed for approximately 4-6 miles before we could see THEM!

There was a group of three bulls, my heart started to race – I had a guaranteed chance to harvest my muskox. Out of the group of students there was one girl and 4 boys. So, ladies first: she had the first chance to shoot, and was successful on her 5th shot. Louie suggested that whomevers birthday was next could be the next shooter; one lucky boys birthday is April 16th and he was successful, taking only one shot on the next bull! For both students it was their first muskox hunt and kill. All of us in the group were really pumped for them. I was able to shoot the biggest of the three, we think it is 4-6 years old and weighed around 650-700 lbs. After having a lunch of tea, bannock, and Klik, we began to the arduous (but fun and educational) task of skinning, dressing, quartering, and loading the three big animals.

4.5 hours later we arrived safely back at the school. We unloaded the equipment and the harvested meat. Each student was given some meat to share with their families, and the rest of the meat of the 3 animals will be cut and distributed throughout the community. The 2 skins and skulls of the school tags will be kept at the school for educational use and future outdoor excisions. I am planning to send my skin and skull to a taxidermist in the south to be preserved. Everyone had a great experience. This was one of the best and most memorable days of my life.