Barren Ground Muskox Hunt — Gjoa Haven

A ten-day, one-on-two hunt with eight full days of hunting in the famous Perry River trophy country of Nunavut.

A trophy barren ground muskox bull on the mainland barren lands of Nunavut. — The Perry River area is famous for producing trophy bulls, many scoring over 120 Boone & Crockett points.

The Perry River area has 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 Perry River population, but they have been virtually untouched by trophy hunters.

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

This hunt is operated in partnership with the Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Committee. Adventure Northwest is the booking agent for this community — we do not operate the hunt and act only as your agent when dealing with the community.

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 Strait to the mainland, then inland by ATV to find your muskox — riding on the back of these four-wheelers can be brutal.
Spring hunts are transported by snow machine from Gjoa Haven across the sea ice to the mainland, where we hunt the barren ground muskox. This trip can take one to three hours depending on conditions, and we anticipate 100 percent success. Hunting by dog team is also an option. Accommodation is in wall tents with heaters; foam mattresses and caribou or muskox skin sleeping mats are provided — hunters must bring their own sleeping bags.

Please note: while the hunt is listed as ten days, actual hunting time may be less due to the abundance of game. 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 you then take a caribou there is a $1,000 kill fee.

Things All Hunters Must Be Aware Of

Travel to and from Gjoa Haven is the hunter's responsibility.
All hunting licences and tags are purchased by the hunter on arrival in Gjoa Haven.
All food and lodging while in Gjoa Haven is the hunter's responsibility and can cost up to $300 per day (Canadian), including days lost to weather. If you tag out early you will be brought back and must pay for food and lodging until your flight departs.
There is a very good chance you will lose a couple of days to bad weather, equipment breakdowns, or both.
A representative from the Hunters and Trappers Committee may meet you at the airport.
Take a taxi from the airport to the hotel ($10 per person) and return on your way home.
Have Canadian currency on hand — few places in Gjoa Haven accept credit cards.
Trophy fees for muskox are $150, paid in Canadian currency at the wildlife office in Gjoa Haven.
Adventure Northwest strongly encourages hunters to buy trip-cancellation insurance — if you don't know where to purchase it, we can help.

Ready to hunt barren ground muskox? Contact Adventure Northwest to check dates and availability.