For experienced hunters or new hunters alike, caribou hunting is an adventure. Those who are experienced hunting other game animals like deer or elk will find a lot familiar about caribou hunting and yet it will be unlike anything they’ve done. People new to hunting will find caribou hunting an exciting sport.
Caribou hunting is less talked about than things like deer hunting, elk hunting or even moose hunting. But caribou meat is delicious, and their hide is valuable as well. The horns of the caribou can also be sold so there are many practical reasons for hunting caribou. The sheer size of the creatures and their stealth and cunning make them a challenge as well.
For the new caribou hunter, a guide is essential. Whether you’re going to go with a paid guide or just a friend or acquaintance who’s a very experienced caribou hunter, the tips and tricks you’ll learn are invaluable. If you don’t have any close friends or acquaintances who caribou hunt, then investing in a guided hunt is probably one of the best things you can do to make sure that you will enjoy caribou hunting for years to come.
Outfitters will set you up with a guide and take you to the prime hunting spots. They can’t guarantee that you’ll find a caribou or get a shot at one but the odds of this are maximized when you go on a guided hunt with a very experienced guide. They can also help you avoid some of the pitfalls of caribou hunting such as not understanding all the laws surrounding it and complying with them.
Some areas have strict limits on caribou hunting while others are more relaxed. But you’ll need to follow local gun laws and any requirements as far as how you dress the caribou in the field as well as the weapons you use to hunt the animals. The last thing you want to do is have a successful caribou hunt and end up with a hefty fine because you used improper ammunition or you improperly butchered the animal. An experienced guide can lead you through that maze of technicalities.
You’ll also get one-on-one instruction in how to find caribou tracks and figure out where they’re most likely to be found. Through droppings, tracks, and scrapes and rubbings on the sides of trees, guides can pretty much show you the paths that the caribou take each day. Depending on where you hunt, you may be limited to using either a rifle or a compound bow. Areas that allow both typically have a very distinct season for rifle hunters and a distinct season for those who use a bow.
A guide can tell you the best type of ammunition to use as well as the best weight and point weight of arrows, depending on what you choose. This is an important choice because it will determine how quickly and mercifully you kill the animal. A guide or mentor can also teach you how to properly field dress the animal after a successful day of caribou hunting.
Photo Credits: j_silla
Originally posted 2010-04-08 03:14:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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