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Old 08-11-2018, 09:04 PM
Desert Eagle Desert Eagle is offline
 
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Default Barren Ground Caribou trip

I'm heading out in 10 days to start our caribou adventure. Didn't want to hijack the other thread. Any pictures or tips how to pick a good bull? Probably the one and only trip for me at least for the foreseeable future.

Heading to Repulse Bay, NT.

It's been close to 2 years prepping for this trip, and lots of time planning and prepping. Typically I had pretty cheap hunting clothes and gear, but was able to switch it all up to higher end layering systems. Seemed to work pretty good last year during deer season. Built up a rifle, as originally we were going to do a fly in/backpack hunt in BC for mountain caribou. Wasn't sure if my body could handle it, so started looking at guided hunts and ended up booking an Arctic hunt. Looking very forward to this arctic adventure as not many people get to experience something like this in such a remote place.
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Old 08-12-2018, 08:55 AM
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GMX GMX is offline
 
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Hopefully you get to see a bunch of bulls when I went to northern BV for my Mt.caribou I was in awe. There antler to body size is deceiving small body huge antlers lol. Thankfully I got to see some smaller bulls along the trail to spike camp and a massive winter killed bull probably in the 400-420” range. There such a unique animal with a variety of horn configurations talk tunes heavy mass lots of points a combination of everything. I knew it was over for me when I first seen him feeding 13 hours my bull was laying up on the side of the mountain. It was like seeing a really big whitetail you just know you should shoot NOW!! Glass glass and glass some more is the key.
I did watch every video on caribou hunting I could find to help judge them but in person it was more than I expected. Good luck can’t wait to see a picture of you and your bull. Hers a picture of my bull never put a tape to it but the guide told my it’s a 350-360 Score doesn’t matter to me the experience was everything.
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Old 08-12-2018, 07:20 PM
Desert Eagle Desert Eagle is offline
 
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That is a beauty bull for sure! Met an amazing hunting partner along the path of this and we are heading up to do this hunt together. It's hard to believe after all this time this hunt is only about a week away. It's also about the experience for me. I'm not super fussy on size, but I would like a good mature animal.
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Old 08-12-2018, 07:23 PM
double gun double gun is offline
 
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Good luck buddy! I want pics aswell.
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Old 08-12-2018, 09:29 PM
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Tundra Monkey Tundra Monkey is offline
 
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[QUOTE=Desert Eagle;] Any pictures or tips how to pick a good bull? QUOTE]

Hey DE,

You'll be able to tell a big one when you see one. The biggest issue guys have I think is that there is a lot of antler up there. Bodies are relatively small comparatively. A young bull with good genetics will have everything at a very early stage in life. It is important to have the length. If you picture them with their head back on the trot....those antlers should reach the the rump.

If you are shooting for score.....a busy bottom end is really important. You'll want double shovels with at least one being really big. There is lots of inches to add up in the bez and shovels.

I'm a tops guy so I like really long points up there. 6+ for sure up there.

Width gives you a measurement as well but you won't find bulls with antlers that lay down like in Quebec. I prefer the ones that roll back in on themselves.....kinda looks like a heart from the back. CBG are way prettier than QL caribou btw!!

There are also a couple of back scratchers that poke out back of the antler. I've seen these from non existent to a couple of feet.

Have a fantastic trip. I haven't been up there since they changed the rules that guides have to be beneficiaries. I sure miss it

Have a ball and if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

One of the best guys in the world for judging these things is on this site. He's been at this game forever. He goes by "Arctic" on here. I'm sure he would not mind a PM from you. Really solid guy.
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Old 08-13-2018, 08:44 AM
Ronaround Ronaround is offline
 
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Good luck and have a game plan in mind>
if you want double shovels or huge tops and less on the bottom think about it real had before you get out and have to decide in a rush.
I decided i needed a double shovel as priority one.
and that's what i waited for and got.
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Old 08-17-2018, 07:39 AM
35 whelen 35 whelen is offline
 
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Look for a Big C in the rack back scratchers and at least two long points on the top plus an extra double shovel don't shoot the first one you see good luck

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Old 08-25-2018, 12:57 PM
IronNoggin IronNoggin is offline
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You are on the ground at this point, and perhaps already have the bull you're seeking.
If not, and you still check in, I would suggest some rather fine intel has been offered above.
Look for MASS and POINTS on both Top & Bottom.
Many bulls will have one or the other, only a special few will have both.
All Caribou look "Big" to the average hunter. Their racks are larger in comparison with body size than most.
Great chewing btw if you get them pre-rut, which they will be at this time.

Here's one of the better ones I took when we lived up in the Western Arctic. You can see he has most of what is being suggested:



Good Luck, and I eagerly await your report and pictures!!

Cheers,
Nog
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