Adventure

Northwest

Big Game

Outfitting

The Mainland Muskox hunts have become famous for producing trophy bulls, many of which score over 120 Boone and Crockett points. This includes several animals that are contenders for the new world record. The animals at McNaughton River are part of this Mainland population, but they have been virtually untouched by trophy hunters.

The hunt begins in Gjoa Haven, where the famous Arctic explorer Ronald Amundson wintered when he first navigated the Northwest Passage.

 This hunt is operated in partnership with Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers committee. Adventure Northwest is the booking agent for this community. We do not operate this hunt and therefore only act as your agent when dealing with the community. On occasion hunts do not work out exactly as the hunter thinks they should. This must be resolved with the community before the hunter leaves Gjoa Haven.

 What is not included in this hunt:

• Hunting license and tags.
• Export permits/trophy fees.
• Gratuities to staff.
• Accommodation and meals while in Yellowknife and Gjoa Haven before and after the hunt, if applicable.
• Taxidermy fees.
• Overweight baggage fees.
• Expenses incurred due to delays, caused by bad weather, mechanical problems, or other factors beyond our control.
• Canadian Goods and Services Tax. (GST)

 HUNT CONDITIONS

You may hunt the Barren Ground Muskox in the Fall or Spring.

 Fall hunts are harder and you will only see ten percent of the muskox you may see on a spring hunt. You will go by boat across Simpson Straight to the mainland. You will then go inland by ATV to find your muskox.

 On a spring hunt you will be transported by snow machine from Gjoa Haven across the sea ice to the mainland where we hunt the mainland or barren ground muskox. This trip can take 3-6 hours depending on snow and ice conditions. Snowmobiles provide a great deal of mobility, allowing the hunters to cover a lot of ground and providing an opportunity to look over a good number of muskox. We anticipate 100 percent success on this hunt. Hunting by dog team is also an option. Accommodation is in wall tents with heaters. Foam mattresses and caribou or muskox skin sleeping mats will be provided. Hunters must bring their own sleeping bags.

 Please note that while the hunt is listed as ten days, actual hunting time may be less. The hunt ends when the muskox is taken.

 There are some Central Canadian Barren Ground Caribou in the area. You may opt to buy a caribou tag on the fall hunt. If this is the case and the hunter shoots a caribou there will be a $1,000.00 kill fee.  During the Spring hunt hunters can obtain a wolf tag.  Should this be the case and the hunter does take a wolf there is a $1000.00 kill fee.

 Things that all hunters must be aware of:

• Travel to and from Gjoa Haven is the hunter’s responsibility;
• All hunting licenses and tags are purchased by the hunter, when he/she gets to Gjoa Haven;
• All food and lodging while in the town of Gjoa Haven is the hunters responsibility and can cost as much as three hundred dollars ($350.00) a day (Canadian). This includes days lost to bad weather, before, after, and during the hunt. If he/she tags out early, he/she will be brought back to Gjoa Haven, and will have to pay for food and lodging until the departure of his/her flight;
• There is a very good possibility the hunter will lose a couple days of his/her hunt to bad weather, equipment breakdowns or both;
• A representative from the HTC will meet you at the airport;
• The hunter will need to take the taxi from the airport to the hotel ($10.00 per person) and return on your way home;
• The hunter will need to have Canadian currency on hand as there are very few places in Gjoa Haven that accept credit cards;
• Trophy fees for muskox are $150.00. These fees must be paid in Canadian currency at the wildlife office in Gjoa Haven; and
• Adventure Northwest highly encourages hunters to buy trip cancellation insurance. If the hunter does not know where to purchase this we can assist in obtaining.

Please feel free to download our latest newsletter (PDF)