The Greatest of all North American Hunting Adventures

There is no questions that Nanook, as the Inuit call the Polar Bear, is one of the world's premier big game trophies.  The great white bear is less rarely encountered in trophy collections than any of the African dangerous game.  Only the Marco Polo sheep, the tiger, and perhaps the jaguar can vie with the polar bear in prestige.

The polar bear has the distinction of being the only carnivore who regularly stalks and kills man.  The Inuit (as Eskimos prefer to be called) in the Canadian Arctic annually kill about 20 to 30 polar bears in self-defense.

The polar bear hunts are conducted the old Inuit way, going out on the ice on a sled pulled by a dog team.  Two guides go with each hunter.  One with a skidoo and a sled.  When fresh tracks are encountered, the hunt is on.  When the bear is in sight and it looks as if it might escape into the open water or rough ice, the dogs are cut loose so that they can bring the bear to bay.  The hunter and his guide have to follow quickly.

The polar bear hunt is conducted in traditional hunting areas out of an Intuit village in the Canadian Arctic.  The hunting is done on the sea ice where polar bears hunt for their main prey – seal.  The hunting can be done from a mile or two from land to as much as 30 miles out over the sea.  However, some hunters have even shot large male bears a few miles inland on rolling tundra.

More Pictures HERE!

All polar bear hunts have to be conducted by dog team according to an international law signed by all polar bear owning countries – Canada, USSR, USA, Norway, and Denmark on the behalf of Greenland.  It is illegal to hunt in any other way.

The hunt will be conducted out of a base camp with a heated tent.  The hunter and guides will sleep on foam mattresses covered by caribou skins and down sleeping bags.  Meals during the hunt are hearty, consisting primarily of prepared or semi-prepared food which cooks or heats up quickly.  These foods were developed for use in the Arctic for the Canadian military.  They consist of beef and chicken dishes plus a variety of pastas which are known to have high-calorie content for energy.  Some fresh meats including bacon and sausages are also provided for breakfast with freeze-dried eggs.  Also provided are bread, cookies, dried fruits and granola with plenty of tea and coffee.  We can provide any special diet with notice.

After the hunt, hunters will have an opportunity to mix with the local people in the community where there hunt started.  There will be opportunities to purchase local crafts, such as carvings of soapstone, ivory, whalebone, and even antler, as well as wolf and Arctic Fox skins.  Almost all of the communities have such services as direct-dial telephone, electricity and even cable television.

We must emphasize that a polar bear hunt requires a great deal of adaptability on the part of the sportsman.

The practical hunting season for polar bears hinges on two factors:  the period of time when bears are normally encountered in the hunting areas, and on tolerable temperatures and weather.  The hunts normally begin in January in the more southerly areas of the Arctic and continue until late May in the High Arctic.  One area is best from January through April.

All of our hunts are conducted during general times when bears are usually found in the various areas during the period of more tolerable climate from late January through late April.  You can be assured you will be booked at the best time.

Notes on Weapons: 

All rifles must be “winterized” by having all oils removed from the bolt and trigger assembly.

The ultimate choice of rifle caliber we leave to the discretion of the client.  We highly recommend nothing smaller than the .30-06.  More suitable are rifles in the .338 Winchester / .275 H&H class.  In European calibers we recommend nothing smaller than the 8x57 mm, while such cartridges as the 8x68, 9.3x64 and 9.3x74 are better.

For bow hunters we recommend nothing less than a 75 pound bow.  Compound bows are preferred, but several hunters have used recurves and even long bows.

General Information 

When comparing our hunts to others, remember that we have one of the longest hunts available at 14 days to insure a successful adventure.  Our guides strive to collect trophy size bears at all times.  Contact us for further details.

14 Day Hunt

$18, 500 US (+GST)

1 Guide and 1 Helper per Client

$5,100 Deposit Required

Extra Days Available Upon Request.

Prices and details of hunts are subject to change without notice.  Trip insurance is available through Northwoods Adventures.  Upon acceptance of this hunt package, it is understood that Northwoods Adventures will make all travel arrangements from your home to hunt destination.

Please be sure to review any additional company policies regarding your hunt!