Had some luck caribou hunting last week.

Yukon Mike

Yukon Mike

Well-known member
Sorry this has to be brief guys but I'm having computer issues and keep losing connection. I got some good pictures though and really wanted to post a few. So here's the short version...

We headed to the same spot as last year with Jud's family for 4 or 5 days of poking around hopefully for a bull or two. The first night we got there we saw two trucks with big furry racks on them coming down from the north and talked to the guys. They told us a few barren ground caribou were hanging around at the NWT border north of the Arctic Circle up the road 6 hours or so. After a short meeting we decided to pack up our gear the next day and give it a try.

We started to see caribou about 20 miles from the border and several small herds in the last ten miles. Lots of bears too. Actually we had to camp in a different spot each night to avoid a fuzzy visitor. We were well armed for bear, but really didn't want to shoot one if we didn't have to.

They had lots of rain up that way this summer so things were very green compared to last year. I might get up that way again this next week so hopefully the colors will be on.

Here's a few pictures.

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Normally we avoid these piles but due to the openess of the country we felt we could show this one to the kids. This is where a bear killed a caribou and burried it to keep the ravens off it.

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Barrenground caribou rarely stop moving so it helps to have a partner do this to get them to hold still for a shot.

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We had a bit of excitement when Mac shot his caribou. At the noise of the shot, two different grizzlies started our way. You can see one (small dot) on the left there. One was scared off by a warning shot but the other was determined so everyone grabbed what they could and headed for the truck. We left neck meat and the shot shoulder behind. Before we got 100 yards from the gut pile the bear was on it, chowing down. We went back the next day and watched him through bino's for a long time.

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A quick picture of Mac's caribou this year. 75 yard shot.

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A better picture.

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Caribou at 1/2 mile away. There is next to no chance sneaking up on so many eyes. Its a lot like crawling up on feeding geese. They move way to fast to chase down, your best bet is to get ahead of them and ambush. We tried that several times and it actually worked once. Jud's wife got a nice bull at 50 yds doing an ambush. Much luck was involved.

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MOre...

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It takes about 30 min to skin and strip the meat off a bull with two knives and all these helpers. You only get about 100lbs of meat off these smaller caribou, so with all the kids no one had to carry very much. I carried the bear gun only actually.



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Gets a little windy on the tundra sometimes.

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Scenery.

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Bear on Mac's gut pile the next day. I saw two honkers up there as well as this pretty good bear. One was walking down the road and got within 50 feet before he hit the ditch to go around us. He was a real belly dragger. This guy was actually sleeping draped over the gut pile to keep thte ravens from stealing his snacks while he slept. I had to yell at him to get him to stand up.

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Base camp number 5 many miles from the bears (we hoped).

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Two young bulls getting frisky.

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The never before filmed caribou head lock. Once again the most aggressive bull wins.


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Sorry I couldn't show you more. It was great to be out with r. I didn't actually hunt, but was invaluable as camp protector and dishwasher. Like I said I'm hoping to get back up there next week with some other friends from Alberta. I'll show you some nice fall colors if they are on then.

Between the caribou and bears we never had a chance to bother the ducks but I did have a good look for that tufted duck three times on the lake he was seen last fall. If he was there I didn't see him. Lots of ringers on the move as well as widgeons right now, but we didn't fire a shot.

Mike
 
Have you found me a job there yet? Like I said before, part time with great pay, bennies and 8 weeks of vacation is prefered... Oh yeah, nice pics!
 
Mike,

Whats your thoughts on adopting a 59 year old kid to add to your family? I'll help around the house for allowence money. I really really envy Mac. Thanks for sharing your hunt.
 
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Congrats to Mac! Glad you're getting out even if it's only as a gun bearer! Great pics as always.

Take care,

Ed L.
 
Congrats on a good hunt. Thanks for taking me along with awsome pics! The bear problems at a camp site I understand, but them comming to a kill site when they hear gunfire---spooooky!!! Hope ya have a great hunt next week, & keep the pics comming! Thanks
Dennis
 
Congrats Mac way to go! Awesome hunt appreciate you taking the time to share it with us. Always fun to see what is happening up north.
 
Awesome Mac.

I have a wrestling move you can use if you get caught in another horn lock.............

Thanks Mike.
 
My gosh, it is wonderful to see the entire family involved. It is that time of the year when you need the meat for the locker. Beautiful shots of some fantastic looking country. You brought back some great memories, Mike. Thanks.
Al
 
why do you strip the velvet off the racks? Funny to see some pics from a place with cooler temperatures, its 100 every day here right now.
 
Incredible photos and story, thanks for sharing Mike!

I spent alot of time around griz in AK. They are too cool....and a bit spooky.
 
Great stuff. I've walked up on those bear "piles" before. Kinda spooky in chest high grass in the dunes. Makes you do lots of 360's. Ever try to dig them up? Pretty tough without claws.
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good to see me son ,right fine job fer sure....lol

its good to see your mobile bud ,jeeze the lad is growing like a weed...

take care

thanks

shermie...
 
Mike,

I am not nearly as adoptable or as cute as Hutnindave so I showed these pictures to and suggested to my 10 year old daughter that she aught to seriously considering marrying Mac so he would take his future father-in-law huting and fishing in the Yukon. That got a, "DADDD!!!!!!" and a roll of the eyes. Oh well best laid plans and all.

Seriously, nice pictures and thanks for sharing. I have enjoyed watching your kids grow through your photos and post. That's just one of things that makes the DBHP such a nice place.

My best,

Don
 
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