Summer Hunting the Musk Ox in Greenland

Trip length

10 days

Difficulty

Price

On request

Hunting season

No date set

Hunting season

No date set

I'm interested

Information

Summer hunting takes place during the short but intense Arctic summer. The terrain is free of snow, though it can be muddy and wet in places, which increases the physical demands of travel. At the same time, it offers exceptional scenery of the Greenlandic tundra and the chance to observe muskoxen in more active behavior, especially at the onset of the rutting season.

In summer, game is more dispersed and moves in looser groups, which requires patience and thorough scanning of the terrain. However, the long daylight hours provide ample time for careful selection and execution of the hunt. Summer conditions also allow for combining the hunt with wildlife observation or nature photography.

Destination

Greenland / Western Coast and Territories, Kangerlussuaq

Event Duration

10 days / 7 hunting days

Game

Musk ox, polar reindeer, and small Arctic game (hare, fox, ptarmigan)

Transport

Air travel (Vienna - Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq and back)

Meals

Full board

Weapons

Provided on-site, included in the tour cost

Accommodation

Hunting camp

Hunting Information

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a dream come true for nature lovers and hunters alike. The stunning scenery beyond the Arctic Circle is breathtaking and provides memories that will last a lifetime. Greenland offers untouched hunting areas with fresh air, where there are no electrical poles in sight, and the only sounds you hear are your own and those of nature. At night, the stars are brighter than you’ve ever seen, unless they are overshadowed by the magnificent Northern Lights, which we may see in all their glory in this region.

Our hunting area is situated near the inland ice, about a 90-minute drive by off-road vehicles from Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland. Søndre Strømfjord, or Kangerlussuaq as it's known locally, is crossed by the Arctic Circle, meaning that in summer it never truly gets dark, while in mid-winter, there is almost no daylight except for moonlight and the fantastic Northern Lights. During March, when our hunt takes place, there are more than 12 hours of daylight daily as the days lengthen quickly at these latitudes. Winter here offers a good chance to hunt snowshoe hares, ptarmigans, or polar foxes.

Hunting the musk ox is truly exhilarating. This animal must be approached with respect as it can charge if it feels threatened. The approach to the musk ox is conducted on ATVs, which have proven to be more effective than dog sleds, although less authentic. Once a herd is spotted in the distance, the hunt begins. The shooting distance of 100 - 200 meters is achieved by stalking, which can cover distances of 200 to 1500 meters. Success rates for the hunt in recent years have been 100%. After a successful musk ox hunt, there will be an option to hunt reindeer for an additional fee. In March, however, old bulls have already shed their antlers, so the hunt will focus on bulls up to 4 years old.

Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus)

The musk ox is rightfully part of the European "Big Five." It inhabits the tundra and is more closely related to sheep and goats than cattle. Musk oxen originally inhabited the eastern coast of Greenland, but fjords, glaciers, and waterfalls prevented their colonization of the entire island. In the early 1960s, 27 musk oxen were released near Kangerlussuaq – an unbounded hunting area of 6,600 km². Over the last 40 years, the population has increased, and it is estimated that there are at least 7,000 animals. The vegetation and feeding conditions in this district are so good that musk oxen here are 15% larger than in other parts of Greenland, with fully grown bulls weighing around 400 kg.

Equipment and Gear

Hunters must be well-dressed during the hunt, and the rental of comfortable seal skin clothing, including an overall, boots, and gloves, will help with this. Due to the spring season, night temperatures are expected to be around -20°C and daytime temperatures around -10°C. The dry air and lack of wind make the perceived temperature quite pleasant. Besides authentic clothing, modern hunting rifles will be prepared for use, included in the tour cost.

Itinerary

Greenland, as the largest island in the world, is like a fairy tale come true for a nature lover and a hunter in one. The beautiful nature beyond the Arctic Circle is stunning and something you will remember for the rest of your life. Greenland offers pristine hunting grounds, fresh air where there are no electricity pylons on the horizon and the only sounds you hear are your own or nature's. At night, the stars are brighter than you have ever seen, unless they are eclipsed by the infinitely beautiful aurora borealis, which, if we are lucky, we will see in full glory in these latitudes. Our hunting area is located in a beautiful location near the inland ice, about 90 minutes by off road car from Kangerlussuaq in West Greenland. Søndre Strømfjord or as it is called in Greenland - Kangerlussuaq - is crossed by the Arctic Circle, which means that it never really gets dark in the summer, while in the middle of winter there is almost no light except for the moonlight and the fantastic auroras. During March, when our hunt takes place, there are more than 12 hours of daylight per day, as the day quickly lengthens in these latitudes. In winter, there is also a good chance to hunt snow hares, snowdrops or arctic foxes.

The muskox hunt itself is really exciting. This animal must be treated with respect, as it can attack if it feels threatened. Hunting or getting close to the muskox is done on a quad bike. These proved to be more effective than using dog sleds, although not as authentic. As soon as a herd is spotted in the distance, the hunt begins. A shooting distance of 100 - 200 m is achieved with a target that can be at a distance of 200 to 1,500 m. According to other years, the success rate of hunting is at the level of 100%. After a successful muskox hunt, it will be possible to hunt reindeer for a fee. In March, however, the old males have already shed their antlers, so it will be possible to catch males up to 4 years of age.

Northern muskox (Ovibos moschatus)

The musk deer has rightfully been included in Europe's "big five". The musk deer is a tundra dweller and is more closely related to sheep and goats than to cattle. The musk deer was originally found along the east coast of Greenland, but was prevented from "colonizing" all of Greenland by its fjords , glaciers and waterfalls. In the early 1960s, 27 muskrats were released near the 6,600 km2 hunting area. The population is estimated to be at least 7,000 animals in the last 40 years. Vegetation and feeding it is so good in the district that the muskox is 15% larger than in other parts of Greenland, fully grown bulls reach about 400 kg.

Dates

We will be happy to prepare a tailor-made offer and date for you.

Difficulty

Good physical condition of the hunter. In this case, we will find a little more together. However, if you are looking for a challenge and want to test your physical condition, this is the right type of tour for you. In tours with this level of difficulty, we include mountain hunts and expedition hunts, which is why it also reflects a certain amount of discomfort resulting from the nature of expedition hunts /longer transfers, hunting on horseback or staying in a tent/.