Our Musk Ox hunts are based out of the community of Baker Lake, Nunavut which is roughly 1600 kilometers north of Winnipeg Manitoba. In springtime, herds of Musk Ox can be found within short snow machine rides of town (usually between 30-75 minutes). Late summer and early fall will find the animals near the lake and along the rivers as they herd up for the Musk Ox rut.
The animals in this area are of the Barren Ground sub species of Musk Ox. These animals are larger than their island cousins by about 10-15% in body and horn size. On average, well over 75% of the animals taken by hunters with Henik Lake Adventures will meet or exceed the Boone & Crockett minimum score.
This area is virtually un-hunted. Even with our close proximity to the community, these animals are not generally targeted by local hunters. This has led our hunters to enjoy a 100% success for the past 7 years. On average, well over 80% of the animals taken by hunters with Henik Lake Adventures will meet or exceed the Boone & Crockett minimum score.
By hunting in this area, we are able to take advantage of the comfortable accommodations not traditionally experienced by Musk Ox hunters. During the spring hunt we use the Nunamiut Lodge in Baker Lake to provide private rooms, hot showers and excellent meals for our hunters. Each hunter will operate his/her own snowmachine. The fall hunts are based out of the comfortable Baker Lake Lodge.
Spring Musk Ox Hunts
During this time of year, the Muskox “coat” is at it’s absolute best. Full, thick and very clean. They have survived another Canadian Arctic winter with its extreme cold and bitter winds.
Our spring hunts will have hunters and guides using snow machines to access the areas being used by Musk Ox. Once in the general area, we will glass to locate the herd’s and then move in to field judge them. If an exceptional animal is spotted, the hunter and guide will then stalk in, hopefully getting close enough for a clean shot at the target bull. Most groups of Musk Ox will have several trophy bulls in their midst.
Although hunts are guided one on one, hunts will be carried out with two guides taking out two hunters. This will provide a higher level of safety. It also allows a downed Musk Ox bull to be taken care of more quickly.
After your bull is down, your guide will field prep your meat and trophy. Animals will be skinned as per hunter’s request (shoulder, full size or no mount), while the meat will be deboned and brought back to the community. The hunter is welcome to take meat home with them, but we suggest a 50 lb limit of backstraps, tenderloins and choice cuts which can be brought back on the pane with you as access baggage. Any meat left behind by the hunters will be donated to the community freezer. This kind gesture doesn’t go unnoticed, and is very much appreciated by the Elders and the less fortunate in Baker Lake. Outside temperature at this time of year (-5 to 20 F) will ensure capes and meat will not spoil.
Please note: Once your Musk Ox is down, the hunt will be considered complete. Although a wolf and wolverine license are available, these are only considered an encounter specie only while on this hunt. Once tagged out, and if the hunter chooses to depart early, we will help with changes to flight itineraries from Baker Lake back to Winnipeg.
Fall Musk Ox Hunts
Since there are Central Barren Ground Caribou in the same area as the Musk Ox, this is a simple way to add on a second species to your fall Musk Ox hunting adventure! Musk Ox will always be the primary target, with Caribou available as an “add on” species. The option of adding on Caribou must be determined at time of booking as limited tags are available.
Our fall Musk Ox hunts will be based from the comfortable Baker Lake Lodge. Rooms are based on double occupancy. We will access the Musk Ox area by boat, ATV or by hiking. Animals at this time of year will be concentrated in near water, either Baker Lake itself, or one of the large rivers feeding or draining into the lake or inland areas that we access via a service road.
These hunts are guided one on one. The hunter and guide will travel to traditional Musk Ox areas and glass for groups of Musk Ox. This time of year, the rut is on and most groups will have a dominant bull that will be larger than other members of the herd. Once the animal is located and it is determined stalk-worthy, the hunter and guide will move in.
With bulls competing for breeding rights, along with the favorable foliage and terrain, this hunt will be conducive for fair chase bow hunting opportunities.
Once the animal is down, the guide will field prep your trophy and meat per your instruction. Capes, horns and meat will be brought back to camp to be cooled.
Payment Terms
Spring Musk Ox:
A deposit equaling 50% of your total package price is due within 14 days of booking. Bookings will not be considered complete until the deposit is received along with your completed booking forms. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable (except as noted under “Cancellation Policy”). All remaining balances are due in full January 31, the year of your trip. (the “Trip Start Date”). If you are booking a year in advance, a minimum deposit of $4,000.00 is due within 14 days of booking. On January 31 of the year of the Trip Start Date, the final balance is due in full. If you are booking fewer than 90 days prior to the Trip Start Date, full payment of the total package price is due upon booking.
Fall Musk Ox:
A deposit equaling 50% of your total package price is due within 14 days of booking. Bookings will not be considered complete until the deposit is received. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable (except as noted under “Cancellation Policy”). All remaining balances are due in full June 1, the year of your trip. (the “Trip Start Date”). If you are booking a year in advance, a minimum deposit of $6,000.00 is due within 14 days of booking. On or before January 15 of the year of the Trip Start Date, the remainder of the 50% deposit is due in full. The remaining balance (50%) of the total package price is due in full on or before June 1, prior to the Trip Start Date.
Payments can be made by Visa or Master Card, (3% surcharge applies to credit card payments), wire transfer (extra fees apply), cheque, money order or wire transfer.
Once your initial deposit has been received, we will send you an information package regarding your trip details
Send all payments and deposits to:
The Lodge at Little Duck
650 – 5 Donald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2T4
Canada
What’s Included
- Airfare from Winnipeg to Baker Lake and return
- Professional 1 x 1 guiding (unless specified otherwise)
- Hotel/Lodge accommodations and meals on spring & fall hunt
- Musk Ox license, Caribou tag (if applicable) and HTO fee
- Snow machine and/or quad and/or boat usage including fuel
- Field prep of meat and trophy
Not Included
- Travel to and from your location to Winnipeg
- Meals and accommodations in Winnipeg or Southern stopover
- Shipping of capes, skulls/horns and meat back to Winnipeg
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Taxidermy charges
- Excess baggage fees, any costs incurred by delays due to weather or mechanical problems
Once an animal is wounded, every effort will be made to recover that animal. Regardless of the outcome, the tag will be considered filled for that animal.
Testimonial
Dave,
I want to take a few minutes and tell you how thrilled my close friend and I are with our experience in Baker Lake with you and your Henik Lake Adventures/The Lodge at Little Duck team.
I want to start at the beginning, SCI Convention, where I had struggled to find a competent outfitter to hunt Muskox. I spent a lot of time with your associate, Russ Mehling, and was immediately impressed. We booked two hunts and never looked back.
Fast forward to a few months before the hunt with lots of question regarding everything from transportation to equipment. You were always quick to respond, open to a phone call anytime, and provided accurate information.
The “Hunt”, as always is the whole experience. From the time we left the states and arrived at Baker Lake until we parted company in Winnipeg on the way home. Here are thoughts and reflections:
-Lodge/food, service and courtesy were “World Class”. The community of Baker Lake is incredible in the way of tradition, cleanliness and the warm greeting for a total stranger.
-Guides, absolutely the “real deal”. Peter, the head guide, started hunting when he was five years old with his father on a dogsled. Yes, Peter knows the territory and guaranteed to keep you safe and focused.
-The Hunt, exciting and sometimes I felt as if I was dreaming and had just landed on the moon. It is rough terrain, nothing around but exhibits incredible beauty as there is no other place on earth like it.
-We shot two “world class” Muskox bulls, just incredible. I had never seen one in person, only on documentary’s and in magazines. They are majestic and take your breath away!
I can’t say enough for making it possible for both of us to fulfill “Bucket List” dreams.
Thanks again, we are looking forward to a Caribou hunt with you in 2019!