GREENLAND: Greenland Muskox With Trophy Hunting Greenland

I've posted many times on other threads that I would be here in Greenland for the first hunt of the season. I'm actually back in from camp a little early with some extra time to post things up now

First thing to mention is is to anyone going you really need to plan getting here early if at all possible. I used an extra vacation day so I could get here on the earliest reasonable flight possible. I was the only hunter in the entire area that did this. Not just Eric's camp but apparently all the others as well. The later last minute flight was canceled due to the weather.
I was the only hunter hunting the season opener.

Snow conditions are very poor this year with barely enough snow for the snowmobiles to ride on. Lots of rocks n dirt in the trails. Still very cold but not much snow.
The low snow levels seem to be affecting the muskox movement as well. We traveled exactly 50 kilometers before spotting the first one.

Anyway, I'm not a good story writer so to sum things up. A 2 kilometer stalk along the side of the cliffs got us into 50 yards for an easy shot on an ancient bull. Just couldn't get a clear shot inside 400 yards until we got to 50 yards.

He's not the prettiest bull but obviously has lived a long hard life. Badly scarred and worn down horns.

As we were about to start gutting the bull I spotted a fox watching us at 130 meters out up in the rocks.
I used my bull as a quick rest and got my first arctic fox as well.

Many have asked about hunting with Eric due to him being lower cost than others. It's definitely no frills operation but they make every effort to deliver on a great hunt.
I would not hesitate to use him again.

On a side note. The late hunters are arriving today. They are 3 days late with 1 day to hunt. Not likely they will all be successful with such limited time. Plan ahead to not be terribly disappointed.

Looks like a grand adventure. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Congratulations! How cold was it?

375 Ruger Fan said:

Congratulations! How cold was it?

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Temps hovered around 0 most of the time. But with the wind it sure felt a lot worse. Or when riding for a couple hours.
It's -14 today but I'm comfortably back in town

Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Very interesting hunt.

Wade J VanGinkel said:

I've posted many times on other threads that I would be here in Greenland for the first hunt of the season. I'm actually back in from camp a little early with some extra time to post things up now

First thing to mention is is to anyone going you really need to plan getting here early if at all possible. I used an extra vacation day so I could get here on the earliest reasonable flight possible. I was the only hunter in the entire area that did this. Not just Eric's camp but apparently all the others as well. The later last minute flight was canceled due to the weather.
I was the only hunter hunting the season opener.

Snow conditions are very poor this year with barely enough snow for the snowmobiles to ride on. Lots of rocks n dirt in the trails. Still very cold but not much snow.
The low snow levels seem to be affecting the muskox movement as well. We traveled exactly 50 kilometers before spotting the first one.

Anyway, I'm not a good story writer so to sum things up. A 2 kilometer stalk along the side of the cliffs got us into 50 yards for an easy shot on an ancient bull. Just couldn't get a clear shot inside 400 yards until we got to 50 yards.

He's not the prettiest bull but obviously has lived a long hard life. Badly scarred and worn down horns.

As we were about to start gutting the bull I spotted a fox watching us at 130 meters out up in the rocks.
I used my bull as a quick rest and got my first arctic fox as well.

Many have asked about hunting with Eric due to him being lower cost than others. It's definitely no frills operation but they make every effort to deliver on a great hunt.
I would not hesitate to use him again.

On a side note. The late hunters are arriving today. They are 3 days late with 1 day to hunt. Not likely they will all be successful with such limited time. Plan ahead to not be terribly disappointed.

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@Wade J VanGinkel - nice recap of your hunt and good photo’s - enjoyed it. Your “tip” to arrive a few days early is good advice and I would think most Hunters would know to do that - apparently not.
I’ve also thought about a Greenland Musk Ox hunt and debated a Fall or Spring Hunt? I believe the Fall Hunts have warmer weather but thought the Spring hunts found the Musk Ox in “better coats”? However the pics of yours seem to show lots of coat “shedding” - is that normal? Your Arctic Fox looks great and what a unique trophy, I would love to have a full mount arctic fox —- I predator hunt a lot and take many Fox but obviously No Arctic Fox in the continental U.S.

Congrats! That is an ancient bull. Good one to to take. That arctic fox is beautiful. Thanks for the report.
Bruce

Thanks for sharing your report and these lessons learned are very valuable to others. Any photos of camp and how was the food? The bit of fishing looks good. I would like to hit the timing where I could also get a king eider and maybe a puffin.

I did a fall hunt for muskox and caribou with Eric. It was a back pack hunt.

Congratulations.

Hunting in the north requires planning. You did well to understand that and act accordingly.

HankBuck said:

@Wade J VanGinkel - nice recap of your hunt and good photo’s - enjoyed it. Your “tip” to arrive a few days early is good advice and I would think most Hunters would know to do that - apparently not.
I’ve also thought about a Greenland Musk Ox hunt and debated a Fall or Spring Hunt? I believe the Fall Hunts have warmer weather but thought the Spring hunts found the Musk Ox in “better coats”? However the pics of yours seem to show lots of coat “shedding” - is that normal? Your Arctic Fox looks great and what a unique trophy, I would love to have a full mount arctic fox —- I predator hunt a lot and take many Fox but obviously No Arctic Fox in the continental U.S.

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They said the outer coat never changes much. Just gets a bit thicker in the winter.

Green Chile said:

Thanks for sharing your report and these lessons learned are very valuable to others. Any photos of camp and how was the food? The bit of fishing looks good. I would like to hit the timing where I could also get a king eider and maybe a puffin.

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The camp is a basic cabin. Just warm enough for sleeping comfortably with a good bag.
Food was very basic. Corn flakes, sandwiches, and muskox stew.
No complaints though. He's far cheaper than any other guides at the moment. When I booked 2 years ago I paid $4200 total.
I'm unable to get the cabin picture to load but I'll try again later.

Something else to consider in the future.
The use of quads was just recently banned on the tundra. Snowmobiles are fine but fall hunts will require even more hiking than in the past.
They can put tracks on the quads but not sure if it's in the plans.

He doesn't do the king eider hunts but they are available. The shuttle driver in Nuuk I talked to actually guides for them.
Didn't get his info though

What are your thoughts on the combo hunt for caribou and musk ox?

Green Chile said:

What are your thoughts on the combo hunt for caribou and musk ox?

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I saw a lot of caribou in the time I was out there. Not sure how well they actually do or trophy potential. I know hiking 12+ miles a day is realistic at that time. All the big bulls have dropped antlers now so only saw tiny ones. Not sure how the quad ban will affect that also.
I've taken caribou in Alaska so didn't really look into that option.

Thanks for the report Wade.
I leave tomorrow am to hunt with Erik starting on Friday. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can get on some bulls.
Will post a report as well when I get back.

Congrats on a successful hunt and adventure.
I’m a big believer in arriving early and spending a night or 2 when hunting internationally, good job on that one! Nice looking trophies and bonus fox plus a fish. I’m interested in this type of hunt in the future, I’ll keep Eric @ Trophy Hunters on my short list.

GKNOX said:

Thanks for the report Wade.
I leave tomorrow am to hunt with Erik starting on Friday. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can get on some bulls.
Will post a report as well when I get back.

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Supposed to really warm up this weekend. Showing 40f for Saturday right now

Yeah I see that. What little snow there is may not last long. Has me a bit nervous after seeing your pics.