Andrew Lake Lodge & Camps | Arctic Island Muskox

Andrew Lake Lodge & Camps

Spring and Fall Arctic Island Muskox

At Holman, Northwest Territories

Imagine hunting your trophy in a land of no fences, the animals have not heard the sound of gunfire, where you had the opportunity to fellowship with a small group of friends or individuals. I often imagine this is what it must have been like for the first settlers who saw the buffalo herds of the west. Majestic animals at peace in their land.

The Victoria Island musk ox population has been on the increase for years and has one of the largest concentrations in the Arctic. While the trip is scheduled for six days, the hunting time can be shorter due to the abundance of musk ox. In addition to the great hunting, the friendly Inuit of Holman (population 400) will be happy to show you their village where much of a traditional life is still followed. You can purchase soapstone carvings, their famous prints and enjoy visiting your guide’s family

We have 750 MUSKOX TAGS every year. That alone should give you an idea of how many animals are there.

Hunting Conditions:

On a Spring hunt you will be transported by sled being pulled by your Inuit guide on a snow machine. 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 have greatly changed the hunts and how they are run from Holman. Initially the hunts were based from the community and the hunter could even return to the hotel that evening. While this is still an option we have found that many of our clients would like to spend several days out experiencing the land and the friendliness of the Inuit guides. The hunt is now set up that we will return to Holman at the client’s direction, not necessarily when the animal is taken. ANW runs its hunts in mid to late April. The days are long and temperatures comfortable. You will be able to traverse large areas of land and enjoy the scenery while hunting.

Our Muskox hunts out of Holman have been 100% successful in the past and we anticipate the same rate of success with our new style of hunting, we do however expect the trophy quality to improve, and hunter satisfaction to skyrocket! While you will be using the snowmobiles to find the muskox, the law requires the final 1.5km stalk to be on foot.

There is an option to shoot a second Muskox on this hunt. Like our Caribou hunts many hunters like to have the option of a second tag.

Fall hunts are harder and you will only see ten percent of the muskox you may see on a spring hunt but the hunter’s success rate is still 100%. . You will go inland by ATV or along the coast by boat to find your muskox. Riding on the back of these four wheelers can be challenging and sometimes very uncomfortable.

Hunters have the option of returning each night to stay in the community hotel or with their guides at an additional cost. If a hunter wishes to camp on the tundra with his guide for the duration of his hunt this can be arranged. Accommodation while camping will be in a heated canvas wall tent.

2005 Dates: April 9-14, 16-21 23-28 (spring)    August 18-25, 27-01 September 1-8 (fall)

Hunt Price:      $4,995.00        2^nd Muskox $2500

Please note that while the hunt is listed as six days, return to the community is at the hunter’s discretion once an animal is taken

Things that all hunters must be aware of

Travel to and from Holman is the hunter’s responsibility;

All hunting licenses and tags are purchased by the hunter, when he/she gets to Holman;

All food and lodging while in the town of Holman is the hunters responsibility and can cost as much as three hundred dollars ($300.00) 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 Holman, and will have to pay for food and lodging until the departure of his/her flight;

There is a very good chance the hunter will lose a couple days of his/her hunt to bad weather, equipment breakdowns or both;

A representative from the HTC may meet the hunter at the airport in Holman;

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 Holman that accept credit cards;

Trophy fees for muskox are $150.00 per animal. These fees must be paid in Canadian currency at the wildlife office in Holman;

Meat may be taken home, this is the hunter’s responsibility and he/she will have to bring a leak proof container to transport the meat home; and

Hunters are encouraged hunters to buy trip cancellation insurance. If the hunter does not know where to purchase this, we can assist in obtaining it.

MUSKOX HUNTING IS NOT SOMETHING YOU DO EVERY DAY. WE WILL WORK HARD TO INSURE YOUR MEMORIES ARE GOOD ONES AND THAT YOU TAKE HOME A TOP QUALITY TROPHY.

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL (780) 464-7537