Part 1 - Aurora Caribou Camp - NWT
Zendal and his first Caribou.
The beauty of the Northwest Territories.
Hunter: Zendal Carroll
Cameraman: Ralph Cianciarulo
This was my first trip to Aurora Caribou Camps in the Northwest Territories for Barren Ground Caribou. This trip was to be everything I imagined for a caribou trip, and no part of it was a disappointment. From the owner, the cook, the guides, and the on-site trophy preparation, everyone involved with the camp went above and beyond all of my expectations. Anyone researching to hunt Caribou in the Northwest Territories should seriously consider Aurora Caribou Camps.
Our first day of the trip was spent in camp due to rain and winds. That far north safety was the first concern. No one wanted to be caught out on the tundra in the winds and snow-rain mix. The moisture is hard on the cameras and mics, but the Grizzly Bears were moving and we actually filmed them from camp. The camp we were in was completely surrounded by electric fence to keep the Grizzlies out.
I had missed a great bull two days before with my bow, and today I would be hunting with a TC Prohunter .270, so it was sort of payback, if I could get another chance. The first bull we approached turned out to be nice, but Darcy thought that we would do a lot better if we passed, and sure enough, before long we were skimming the lake towards several bulls we had spotted from the shore.
As we left the boat, Darcy leading, Ralph with the camera, and myself, the sneak was on. We soon spotted a young bull bedded and we knew the others had to be close. As we climbed to get a better vantage point on the tundra, Darcy spotted the group and we moved to stay out of sight and downwind. As we neared, we saw the bull we wanted, bedded with the others, behind a rock pile. It was so incredible to be within 100 yards of such magnificent animals in a place as beautiful and colorful as the Territories in the fall. As the bulls rose one by one and moved off, our bull still rested.
Finally we watched as the bull we wanted got to his feet, nudged the young bull at his side to get him up also, and began to walk off. I will always remember those few minutes that followed. As he moved to our left, he passed behind rocks and we had to wait to get the shot on camera. As he cleared and Ralph gave me the ok, I settled in over the TC and prepared for the shot. As I followed him in the Nikon scope, I picked a spot and stayed focused.
At the report of the rifle and seeing the shot, I knew I had finally taken my first Caribou. As we all celebrated and walked up to the bull, who hadn’t gone more than a few yards, I was still in amazement. I had actually done it. I had filled my first caribou tag, and still had another tag. But that was to be another story, and another miss.
TO BE CONTINUED…