Jeffrey ChaulkMy polar bear hunt took place on November 5-15, 2006 near Arviat, Nunavut. This was Henik Lakes 1st hunting season for polar bears. They were granted 6 tags for the season by the Hunters & Trappers Association of Arviat.
Ryan met me in the airport & after introducing his guides & professional chef, Kelly, I sensed it was going to be a much different experience than my last unsuccessful trip to the Artic. It was a short 35 minute flight in a Twin Otter to camp. Ryan & his crew had set up a very comfortable camp consisting of 3 propane heated cabins with generated electricity. We had a kitchen cabin where Kelly performed her magic of creating exceptional meals as if she were in downtown Arviat. The other 2 were bunk cabins complete with spiked doors & windows to deter our nightly Nanuk visitors.
The weather was typical for an Artic hunt with half of the hunt days being lost to whiteout conditions. Each day we would travel 10-13 miles from base camp on a dog sled. I saw 8-12 bears each hunting day. Most were out on the rough ice hunting seals. It was a matter of being patient & finding a large one on safe ice. We got our chance on the 8th day, including 4 days of bad weather. We spotted a large boar approximately 1000 yards offshore sleeping on his back. He had recently killed a ringed seal & had eaten almost all of it. We got downwind & proceeded to stalk within 150 yards. I set my Dakota 375 H&H on the shooting sticks & waited for him to get up. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally awoke & rolled onto all fours. I quickly settled the crosshairs of the Swarovski, recently purchased from SWFA, on the vitals & the shot rang out. The 270 gr Barnes TXS found its mark & after an insurance shot , he went down. It had taken 2 trips & 20 days on the ice but I had finally fulfilled my dream of harvesting a polar bear. There was definitely no ground shrinkage. He squared over 10 ½ feet skull green scored over 28 inches. An ear tag put him at 20 years old.
Jeffrey used:
|
|