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The caribou had escaped our grip numerous times, but I knew it was just a matter of time before the stars all lined up. My good friend and guide Dean MacDonald, owner of Moose Valley Outfitters, and I had taken two boat rides, traipsed across multiple open bogs, hopped many creeks, and walked through several miles of dense forest and tangle-foot spruce for three days in a row to reach this remote hunting location. We did it because two impressive bulls were running this boggy area with two herds of cows, and each time we could still see them in the area until near sundown. So day after day we were back, hunting and trying an ambush all over again.

It was definitely cool seeing the same big-racked caribou every day, but it was hard work, too, considering how far we had to walk from the hunting cabin.

On the second day, we saw the two bulls vying for each other’s herd. They sparred and went at it pretty good, but it didn’t take long for them to separate again, keeping their own group of ladies a mile or so apart. This was certainly unusual because in most cases, there’s only room for one “herd master” out on the open tundra.

The caribou constantly hung along the edge of some stalkable bowhunting terrain, just a little too far in the open for us to strike. Even so, the terrain gave us hope. Beyond them, of course, was an endless view of smooth, barren tundra, making any chance of a stalk futile.

Each day we left the warm cabin, traveled the eight miles or so to reach the area, and placed ourselves high on a prominent point, using binoculars to get a fix on their location. And each day we’d rush at them, hopeful of a successful stalk, but either the wind was never right or some odd-placed cow would bust our efforts.

However, on the fourth day our golden chance presented itself. We noticed one of the bulls departing the area, and he didn’t have all his cows with him. It seemed the leftover cows were interested in joining the other group. Dean and I took full advantage of the situation and got in between the two groups of caribou.

We raced across the landscape as quickly as we could, using the rows of spruce trees and soft tundra banks to conceal our travel. At one point we were on our backs behind some brush, and Dean popped his head up and said, “Get ready. He’s coming.”

I drew an arrow from the quiver and nocked it with wet fingers, now completely numb and covered with leaves and lichen. I was beginning to tremble with excitement. I watched as caribou filed past less than 20 yards away. Then came the bull, his 350-pound body about twice the size of the cows. He was beyond the cows a bit, trotting too fast for a shot. I analyzed the terrain and eyed the distance to where he was headed. About two seconds after hitting full draw, I held the 30-yard pin a few inches beyond his shoulder and triggered the shot.

The arrow vanished from view, but the plump sound of impact told me that the broadhead had struck the chest area hard. The caribou galloped away, but within 50 yards he fell on his nose, stone dead.

Patternable Caribou

As a pretty well-traveled bowhunter, I’m often asked about hunts and what I recommend. When it comes to caribou hunting, my answer is usually straightforward. “Go for woodland caribou. I know their racks are smaller, but they are the most enjoyable to bowhunt.”

Woodland caribou are abundant in most areas of Newfoundland, which is the only area that allows sport hunting. These caribou remind me a lot of mule deer in open country. You simply spot them and plan your stalk. But woodland caribou are much larger, more visible and are easier to sneak up on. This, coupled with the unique experience of pursuing a striking animal in remote, virgin-like wilderness creates an offbeat adventure any serious bowhunter is sure to enjoy.

Also, these caribou are unlike any other since they are not mass-migrators. They pretty much stay in a given location for quite some time before disappearing into a sea of tundra, as all other subspecies of caribou are prone to do. This means consistent action during your entire hunt instead of the “hot” and “cold” action one will often experience during a hunt for Quebec Labrador, barren ground or central barren ground caribou.

I know, I’ve hunted these caribou and each time it was feast or famine—the faucet was turned on one day and animals suddenly flourished everywhere, but then a few days later, there was barely a cow left in sight, leaving me with nothing but a bleak, lonely tundra to wander until the hunt came to an end.

When pursuing any other caribou subspecies, never could you locate the same racked animal for more than two days in a row. Yet on my caribou hunt at the beginning of this story, I actually saw the same two bulls day after day, until I shot one of them on day four! For this reason especially I believe woodland caribou make the ultimate caribou to pursue with a bow.

Gear for the Hunt

A good rule of thumb when packing for a woodland caribou hunt is to bring two of everything. You’re going to get wet, so a change-out of clothes is necessary while the other set has time to dry next to the woodstove. This means two sets of boots, pants, thermal underwear, light sweaters/pullovers, raingear, gloves, stocking hats, ball caps and so on. I prefer wool whenever possible, since it retains its insulating qualities even when wet. You’ll also need quality raingear, of course. Since this is spot-and-stalk hunting, bring light to mid-weight layers that you can add or subtract as the conditions deem necessary, rather than heavy gear.

Pleasant Conditions

Another favorable aspect of woodland caribou hunting is that you hunt them during the cool part of fall. Although you can hunt these caribou from mid-August all the way through November, most bowhunts are planned for late September through early or mid-October. This is when bulls, or stags as the locals call them, are rutting and you’ll likely see more of them during a given trip since they stay more active throughout the day. Bugs are nonexistent, too.

In contrast, other caribou call for earlier hunting, from mid-August through mid-September. This is when weather is still warm and black flies are in full supply. This can create a miserable environment for the hunter and the caribou. In fact, the bugs can get so bad that caribou are often seen running madly across landscapes, doing their best to escape the constant hum and swarm of flies around their face. Stalking or intercepting a caribou in this state of mind can be hopeless.

Additionally, this late-September/mid-October timeframe means booking a woodland caribou hunt doesn’t have to conflict with regular big-game hunts for antelope, deer or elk. This makes woodland caribou hunting a shoe-in for me.

Optics for the Hunt

A top-quality, midsize binocular in the 7- to 10-power range is absolutely necessary for spotting game in this country. I prefer using 10x42 binoculars so I can gain additional magnification for sizing up headgear moderately well without using the spotting scope. If you are trophy hunting, then bring a spotting scope. Nikon’s ultra-compact yet optically superior Fieldscope ED50 is an excellent choice. If you don’t mind additional carrying weight, go with a slightly larger scope for more enhanced viewing at super long distance. The Nikon Fieldscope III ED 60 and Swarovski 65 are superb. Be sure to bring a digital camera with a good flash and store it in an airtight/waterproof bag.

Comfortable Amenities

If you know someone who has been on a Quebec caribou hunt, ask them about the accommodations. They’ll likely look at you with a frown and say something like “pretty basic” or even “shack-like.” Not all Quebec caribou hunts offer barebones amenities, but most do. This may not sound important to you hard-core wilderness hunters, but remember, you’ll be packed into a small tent or cabin with seven other guys. Things can get wet, cramped and smelly.

On the other hand, woodland caribou hunts are the complete opposite. I’ve hunted this eastern-most Canadian province seven times with four different outfitters, and each time the accommodations have been the same—topnotch. I could never say the same for caribou hunts in other regions of the continent. The service and hospitality is always personalized, it seems, where you’re treated as a friend of the family.

Also, as far as price goes, these hunts remain affordable considering all that you get. With similar accommodations one receives on a woodland hunt, you could pay $1,500 or $2,000 or more elsewhere. Comfort, food and service are important when you’re paying for a hunt.

As a great bonus, eastern Canadian moose are abundant in all areas where woodland caribou exist. You’ll frequently see the animals roaming the area while you look for caribou. Not only does this up the excitement and adventure, but it could present a chance to “combo” hunt the two animals. In many cases, you pay only a $1,000 more to go after moose in addition, minus the license costs. Again, the hunting is quite affordable, with combo hunt prices as low as $5,000 to $6,000—a true bargain in today’s market.

Caribou Slam

For those of you who are into pursuing grand slams on all species of big game, then woodland caribou are required as they are one of the subspecies recognized by the Pope & Young Club. In recent years this fact has increased the woodland’s popularity, but this alone is just icing on the cake.

The fact remains, woodland caribou are worthy of pursuit based on their own unique flair, habits and hunting opportunity. Their antlers may be the smallest of all trophy caribou categories, but when sizing up the entire “hunting package,” this caribou is at the top of the heap.

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