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 85% of the animals taken by hunters with Henik Lake Adventures will meet or exceed the Boone & Crockett minimum score. We have also enjoyed and very proud of holding the #1 SCI World Record BG Muskox since 2017.
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, this my third time out with you guys and always awesome hunts. Well organized and you always get back to me whenever I reached out. Guides were great, Helen our hunt manager was the best at Baker Lake and made sure everything was organized each day and that the meat was taken care of quickly and off to freezers. If I got in late Helen had my meals in containers for me and food overall was awesome. Its always a pleasure to hunt with you guys and who knows maybe trip number four in future. Again, thanks for the hunt opportunities and first class operation you run from start to finish
Brian S
Dave, the hunt was as promised, it was a super experience pretty much meeting our expectations as you had promised. Your follow up and organization prior to the hunt was the exceptional. The hunt itself provided opportunities for both Muskox and Caribou, all the guides worked hard to ensure each of us were successful in harvesting animals. As you know Andrew was bow hunting, Larry and Lars were excited to have the opportunity to guide a bow hunter for Muskox, and he was successful in harvesting a great Muskox with his bow! Staying in town was a completely different experience with super accommodations, excellent food (first class meals and lunches each day) and “northern” flavor of town to top it all off. Helen, Boris and David were excellent hosts, they worked hard to ensure everything from guides, quads, trophy storage and shipping were in order. It was very interesting to see the geographic center of Canada as well! Keeping this short, it was a great hunt with many great memories made!
Thanks and all the best!
Greg M and Andrew H