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1. What was the best thing about the trip? 2. What surprised you the most? 3. What was your sleeping bag/therma rest set up? 4. How did you transport your bow while on the sled and traveling while hunting? 5. Did you use hand warmers, boot warmers? 6. How did you keep your face from freezing? 7. Any piece of equipment, clothing that was a stand out for you? 8. Would you bring freeze dried, snacks etc? 9. Cameras, sat phone, GPS? What about a solar charger? 10. Did you have a chance to buy and crafts? When I was on a muskox hunt, there were polar bear hunters who traded their winter gear for wolf hides, carvings and some crafts? 11. Any other tips to someone looking to experience the north and a hunt on the ice?

If anyone has found some neat videos, articles or other information, please feel free to share.

I think what Tom really means is: Just in case the Elephant wins, I'd like Jake's advice on Polar Bear Hunting.

Rob's idea of Decoying one in sounds Interesting/ Exciting. If you go that way, please be sure to film it.

I think Timothy Treadwell tried something similar on his Grizzly hunt, or maybe I have the facts mixed up. Maybe we can get Rowdy to test that method on his next hunt for a Big Bear.

I don't actually have anything constructive to add to this thread, but as usual, that doesn't stop me from chiming in.

:-)

Great points. I understand Treadwell is not available. Ken Moody has Jake using a WB over the Trophy Taker drop away so I know he will be safe. :)

Maybe Rowdy just would say, skip the hunt and photo shop, photo shop away.

Rob

I have the seal suit for the guide.

Ned

Good tip on keeping batteries warm and in good use. I rode the sled on a muskox hunt. I still feel the pain :) Your buddy TomE has offered the use of his NO gear. What a great guy. Jake has offered to come along and run down the bear, push the sled and keep the guides in line. Bowsiters, really are the best.

Those will be big hits.

I used a heavy weight balaclava with a beaver/seal skin hat. I used UA underwear, with Cabelas down underwear and/or NO undergarments made of foam. My outfitter had the green caribou hide clothing(I highly suggested) lights warmest thing ever. This is what I wore as my outside layer. If this is unavailable, I would go with the long underwear, with the down underwear, then the 0 degree NO underwear. Same on top except I substituted a down jacket with hood. When traveling. I wore balaclava with beaver/seal skin hat then pulled my down hood over zipping it up all the way and tightening the hood with orange lens goggles. I also carried a heavy heavy sleeping indian parka. I still have all of these things except the balaclava, and you are welcome to all of it. I know we are close in size.

Gotta run but I can post more later or PM me.

The Arctic itself was the best thing.

Weather was brutal even surprisingly more then I thought.

Expeditoin bag XXL thermorest and Natives had "Foamies" for me.

Kept the bow in a Hard case while traveling.

Lots of Hand warmers, no in my boot though. I also used a Velcro back brace and slipped a handwarmer in it. No backpain and it kept me comfortable.

Turtle fur facemask and a neck gator.

NO pants and bibs were amazing.

Nuts

Too windy IMO for solar charger. had Backup batteries for all equipment.

Crafts, well as a US citizen I can't bring home seal fur and Walrus Ivory but got some cool stuff, even won a poker game and traded winnings for carvings!

I would like to suggest an aggressive acclimation program. Everyone knows that you are a hardcore hunter, and you live in a nice, cold region....so you can really help yourself by desensitizing yourself to the cold.

At the risk of re-opening the abuse that I took on Pat's thread back in 2007 (Direct from the ice....), I will tell you that I jogged barefoot in the snow that winter. Not long distances....maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 mile at a time....nothing with a crust that could cut my feet....just snow powder. I never wore a jacket all winter....not once....and I live near Buffalo, NY. I did wear my beaver fur hat everywhere though....and now that I have had it cleaned after BPM drooled all over it (it BETTER be drool), it is more than up to the task of another arctic adventure. Let me know if you want to add to its history, and I'll ship it out asap!!

I actually had access to a commercial size, walk in freezer....which was set at -44 degrees. If you have access to such a place, leave your gear in there overnight, and then shoot it to make sure that everything performs well. I actually went into the freezer ever day...and gradually increased my time in that freezer until I actually slept in it the night before I left for my hunt.

Handwarmers and a pizza bag worked well keeping electronics functional for me. I never used a handwarmer for my hands or my feet. I will admit that after my second hunt (2007), I honestly believe that I permanently changed my body's physiology. I am usually quite comfortable in 40-50 temperatures with minimal gear, but at temperatures over 70-75 degrees, I practically start to ferment. However, once I frostbit my fingers, I noticed that they are more sensitive to the cold now, than they used to be.

The Inuits really don't want to endanger anyone by going out if the weather is particularly dangerous. But I can personally attest to having been caught in -103 temps (including wind chill) and with the Northern Outfitters (NO) gear, it was a non-issue. I was cool, but not cold. However, if you go that route, you MUST practice shooting your bow with that gear on....because it is cumbersome and requires some degree of familiarization. I also took the Cabelas Transalaskan coveralls (which I loaned to a friend, and still haven't gotten back). They are easily good to -40....and much less restrictive or bulky than the NO gear. Make SURE that you have a white, 100% Nylon Anorak. It is not only camo, it is completely windproof.

I shot my equipment everyday with no problems while I was up there.....why the "wheels fell off" on the day that we saw my bear, is a complete mystery to me. I will suggest that you take a "snow knife". I took an old 12"-13" french knife with me. I used it to make a mini-igloo for a crapper (and I was damn proud of my construction....no sh*t!...well OK, maybe a little....) Set two 2'X 2'X 8" snow blocks on their sides about 12" apart and parallel to each, then set one of your big gloves on each of the upper edges of both blocks, when nature calls, you don't even have to freeze your butt off!! Put one butt cheek on each glove, and take care of business (it will just fall down in between the two blocks). Don't let the toilet paper get away from you.....or you'll be hopping across the ice, bare ass naked trying to catch up to your toilet paper roll, and as windy as it gets up there, you may never catch it. That actually happened to my friend, and I would have paid ANYTHING to have gotten that on video!!

The knife was also very helpful in making an arrow stop. I cut 7-8 2'X2' squares of snow about 8" thick and set them on their sides, one in front of the next, in a straight line. I put a little piece of paper on the front piece of snow, and then shot at it. I would then just start walking past the first few blocks, until I would find the arrow suspended in the last 2 or 3 blocks...depending on the spacing between the blocks. Mine were spaced about a foot apart from each other.

Make sure that behind the blocks, you have flat ice for quite a ways....that way, if you don't use enough blocks for the first shot, you can "track down" your arrow....just remember to add more blocks before shooting again. I could have taken a foam target, but it was a blast to improvise.

You aren't quite as tall as me, so your sleeping bag length won't be a factor. My outfitter provided these big, flannel mothers that I swear were 6" thick when unrolled. I would not get a mummy bag, if you have a choice. The more room that you have in the bag, the more gear you can put inside. That way, your body heat keeps everything toasty...otherwise, you are putting on frozen clothes in the AM! My guide put down muskox hides (fur side down to create a dead air space), and the sleeping bags went on top of that. Wear a wool cap at night, and have wool socks on your feet.

DON'T take an inflatable cushion to sit on...if it gets a hole in it, you'll be sorry....use some sort of foam cushion. Ned Greer is right, tinted goggles are a must....I would suggest two pair. You'll quickly learn how to exhale so your breath doesn't cloud/freeze your goggles. IF YOU GET A HEADACHE WHILE RIDING IN THE QAMITUK, MAKE THE GUIDE STOP. Those machines put out carbon monoxide in their exhaust, and they are pulling you through the fumes. It is no big deal for short trips, but I rode in that box all the way to Wyniatte Bay...200+ miles each way....and the headaches aren't worth the 10 minutes you save by not stopping. They are some REAL bangers.

Man, I could reminisce about those hunts for hours....those arctic hunts are GREAT adventures!! You'll LOVE bannock!!

That is hard extreme for sure. I have been shooting both bows, the coldest it has been is -31. Much colder with the wind chill. I have them both tuned well and am okay out to 80 yards. Of course shooting with all my winter gear. Actually am pretty comfortable to shoot 12 shots with only a the Sitka down hoodie and the Traverse Core hoodie and a sweater and a fleece glove. Leave the bows outside and then out in a half an hour or so. I think that part is okay.

Looking into a good facemask to work with goggles. Have those but two pairs is even better.

What about sunglasses?

Good tip on the headache. Did you take any special back remedy or Robaxin, Moutrin etc?

TomE said he will ship his NO gear and some boots to me. I am actually comfortable in the lighter gear I use and on my bighorn hunt I tested the protype Blizzard jacket and pants. I think with the down layers that was suggested, I should be fine.

Hands, feet and face should be the biggest challenge.

I will carry my backpack sheep archery target. I doubles as a great glassing seat as well. Building a target sounds like fun.

Will bring a little wind and temp gauge to check the weather. Suspect it will be either cold, dam cold and even colder. I do think I have an advantage over guys like Ricardo. Walking the dogs three times a day, in this cold weather has helped. I have been doing like you say, going lighter and lighter. Not running in bare feet but actually out in some like shoes and at first it was chilly but now I don't feel it.

Thanks for your thoughts and for your phone call the other day. You are an inspiration.

Hello Bowsiters........

Good luck Tom, one of the greatest hunts on the planet.

I have glacier glasses you can take along and northern outfitter boots as well (not sure if your little feet will work in then though, your welcome too them if they fit, will bring them up next week for you)

Also have an artic suit but I'm guessing it may be a bit tall for you :)

If Jake can't make it I will fill in as the skinny white guy for him :)

Cheers,

Mike

I am thinking you are a bit too tall.

Heck, I am taking the recurve so no worries about sticking my fingers in my mouth :)

Brad

Thanks for your thoughts and enjoyed out chat. It will be an awesome experience for sure. All the help and tips will only make it better. Jake is a bit overzealous on the acclimation part of his hunts :)

Be careful following ALL of Jake's advice. It may be worth reviewing Jake's old thread. I can still remember when he called me with the blow by blow report. I haven't laughed that hard in a long while. One thing that stuck with me though and he failed to mention in his threads above is that he had his release strapped to his wrist and carried it in the gloves. When he took the glove off to shoot, the release froze shut from the moisture. You might want to keep the release in your pocket or ask Jake for recommendations. Also don't use a peep with rubber tubing! AND don't wear braces on your teeth. Don't forget the prehunt preparation with EX LAX - I am sure Jake will fill you in. Other than that, you should be good to go. I also have a beaver hat that I made from Pennsylvania beavers that I caught that I have been saving for my muskox and PB hunts. Let me know if you want to christen it and I will pack it with the NO gear.

Don't give me any crap about using Exlax before my hunt (excuse the pun). I didn't have to build a crapper for something like 7 days, because I had completely emptied my system before heading out on the ice. Additionally, I am guessing that your body is burning off more calories than normal, so maybe there is less waste to dispose of?

Waterfowler had it wrong....I had no frostbite on my feet whatsoever. Even my hands were fine....just not for 45 minutes. Even the Inuits would be frostbit if exposed for that long. They actually do have genetic differences ....but not to that extent. I never intended to be able to work on my tan line while I was up there. If a bear came into camp at dawn or dusk (which they have been known to do because of the dogs and the smell of camp food), I wanted to be able to handle the cold long enough to make a lethal shot without having to get completely dressed first. That's why the bow and arrows were right by the outside flap of the tent....and why I tried to acclimate to the cold.

Brad (Waterfowler), are you pretty much resigned to the fact that your bear hide is going to be a permanent resident of Canada?

My acclimating came in handy one other way, too. We were trying to reach a fishing shanty before a really bad storm blew in and we didn't make it. Temperatures had dropped rapidly, from -35 to about -55 and the wind was screaming. I later checked a wind chill chart, and our conditions were off of the chart.

My Inuit guide and dog wrangler really wanted to reach the shanty. I believe that they thought that I would want to make camp in that cold, which would have been a fiasco. They approached me and asked if I was too cold to continue. I said that I was a little cool, but I was more than ready and willing to continue. I saw them shoot each other a glance, and I know what they were thinking....."This guy is game." Let's go. Their respect and our camp commaraderie visibly improved after that day.

Maybe Sharpstick had it right, maybe I was a moron, but I am results oriented, and you can't argue with my results. I still remember thinking to myself, my release is frozen, am I really gonna try to open it like this? Maybe I should have told the guide to calm down and quit trying to rush me. Maybe I should gotten out the second release....but the bear may have made it to the sea ice by then..... I had broken a release on a previous hunt because it was flopping around on my wrist. In all reality, I simply shouldn't have tucked the release under the glove....but if you are taking a recurve, that won't be an issue for you. Next time, maybe I'll shoot a few arrows instinctively for practice, even though the braces are now gone.

Eight days in a row I had shot my gear, and everything worked flawlessly. Everytime I look at that bear mount, I replay all of the things that went wrong on the day that mattered most....

Aaron

Oh! here's a tip.... I don't think I'd borrow Jake's gloves..... =D

Didn't read when you were going or where. But pretty much anywhere up there my reply is going to be "wear the fox hat....."

BPM... "Nuts" ??? Folks freeze theirs off and need a spares?

Hope you can find the time to keep us in the loop, pretty cool stuff.... so to speak.... thanks much tthomas.

Regarding bringing hides back into the US. I'm in the camp that before too long things will change and the US will change its law. They can't ignore the scientific facts(that bear populations are increasing) forever. For now, I'm lucky since I'm Canadian living in California, I can leave in Alberta at relatives.

I agree. The meat is good, and how many people get to say that they have tried polar bear??!!!

However, DON'T eat the liver....it is toxic to humans because of the vitamin A concentrations (Hypervitaminosis A). Additionally, my Inuit told me not to eat too much of the red meat either....it is too rich for most people....and he was right. If I had eaten any more than I did, I would gotten the runs.

My Inuits actually ate the knuckles of the bears feet, first. I was the only only one that ate the red meat.

And there are certainly more black bears to chase than white bears! Guys just don't get so hung up on color.

Anyway, Tom if your still hung up on going to hunt in Santa Clauses backyard whatever you do DON'T USE JAKES BEAVER HAT! Rumor has it that certain body fluids were absorbed into it so don't take any chances!

Also, if you do the decoy seal skin thing please get one of them Eskimos to video it...Goodluck, Mike

Don't look now, but I think that you ruined my beaver hat's chances of ever making another trip to the arctic!! LOL!! (although it has been used since).

Worried about condensation in the boots. Hunting whitetails and even just sitting in a stand, then you have wet liners and then eventually frozen insoles. No chance to put your boots or liners on a dryer. Did guys bring two sets of liner?

Mark said to use the traditional boots but not sure if that is going to be an option or offered.

Am tring to find out the best solar charger as the need for batteries and being recharged will be high. Any thoughts or experience there?

Bou, end of April, it should be much warmer then.

Aaron, will bring the bear back home as I live in Alberta.

Hope to have story to share. I have a silver fox hat, but not sure about it. Used a coyote hat on a muskox hunt and it seemed to be moist with the blowing snow and the hat smelled like wet dog all the time.

Aaron

"I did not have sexual relations with "THAT" Beaver!!

Nuts: Eat dried and PROTECT others!

Oh and Jake, your Email has been hacked!!

I bet Rancid Craptree could have chimed in here with a: "How To Make a Hat Outta Something Dead" thread that would be entertaining as hell.

Of course, then it would go bad, as they so often do.

Tom, will you be using a Rage for that bear?

The NO boots are not the best fitting boots in the world, but one of their biggest features is the fact that you can dissemble the boots every evening. You can actually pull out the plastic wicker sole (where your sweat "flash freezes" on them), bang them against your leg to knock off the sweat, and then put them right back into the boot......

BPM,

Damn....sorry about the Spam dude.....

As far as Boots DB sent me a pair from Cabelas that didn't fit him, they were amazing! They fit WAY better then that NO boot, had liners that you could take out every night. Warm feet with boots I could run in, only boot I would use!

Jake,

If a little Spam is the worst thing that happens to me today.................I'm in for a pretty good day!!! LOL

Tim

Do you wear contacts? I don't, but have friends that do....I can share their preparations, if you need more details.

The meat from the bear is not the property of the hunter. I believe the only parts that you are permitted to keep is the hide, skull and baculum.

The meat is the property of the guide/community (he may be able to "gift" you some but I do not know the legality of that). If the animal had been tranq'd within a certain amount of time, the guide is entitled to compensation (from the Govt) for the meat as it is not fit for human consumption.

tthomas, if you're hunt brings you through Yellownknife I may be able to help you with some gear. I'm 6'0" and 180lbs. I would have you covered if you're less than 6'4" and 250lb's. Sleeping bag and all clothing would be here.....makes your travel a little easier. Please feel free to pm me and we'll see what I can do.

Jake.... I gots to know....

I wear contacts and one a day. Just put them in and throw them away at the end of the day Interested to hear your thoughts for sure.

Tundra Monkey

Will be through there this September but this hunt I go through through Ottawa.

Ace

Plan to use the Grim Reaper. Having stayed up many a night thinking about the perfect broadhead, I am now convinced that anything is better than a two blade.

Another buddy on here, sent me a video of his hunt as well. Lots to learn and lots to enjoy.

Contacts are not an issue as I will wear the one a day throw aways. Tested them on the sheep hunt and with temperatures below 30 degrees, I don't think it can get much colder on the bear hunt.

A pretty sharing lot for sure.

If I could just get BPM to send my a large all dressed then I could steal the pizza warmer (Jake's suggestion) I could keep my batteries warm. :)

Thanks but we have something that will work. Now if you were going to put a pizza in it that would be different. Have 65 people coming to my 29th Annual Sheephunter Shoot, so maybe put in a few extra :)

Thanks for the offer though.

Loesshills

Leaving April 17th. Just after the sheep shoot. We have a 100 yard target, will leave that pin in place. I am not as brave as you guys, don't plan on getting so close. Figure I should shake less at 100 yards than at 20. Probably would shoot better as well.

I think that he will be near Pond Inlet....

Congrats.....but where is your photo?!!!

Tthomas,

I believe that you are three days away from one of the more memorable bowhunts of your life!! Best of luck!! By chance, will either of the boys be able to go with you?

Now that kickstand has posted his picture, is your blood pumping NOW?!!!

In case we don't talk before you leave in three days, GOOD LUCK!!!!

Thanks for sharing the photo Kick. What an awesome bear you got. Congratulations.

Good luck and hope the spirits of the hunt are with ya.

Man.... what an adventure....

LOL thats funny!!!! When I get a chance to shoot one someday I will get in contact with you and well work out a deal!!! JK

Aaron

Aaron

and a guy shoots a friggin' polar bear and we get nary a single detail................

come on man open up will ya!

Mark

How about 50 more photos and some details?

How wide was the qamituk that the shanty is built on? I sure hope that it is oversized (for width).....cool idea. Did you ever get to watch them build an igloo?

I believe that today is Tom's first day of hunting......

I think we get all the comments on the other threads you mentioned as there are more people that can relate to those subjects. To me they have been beaten to death though and not much new info comes out of them.

I love these threads as even though I will never in my life do this hunt, I love to read about those that do and live the adventure through them.

With that said good luck Tom on your hunt and post a ton of pictures and a story when you get back.

I'm gonna go out on an limb and guess the travel trailer was pulled by a snowmobile or a snow machine and not a dogsled? The guides and camp use those instead of the dog sled?

Good luck, Robb

Anybody hear from Tom?

Mark

I was just wondering if anyone has heard from him yet?

Cam/Adam, if you ever visit this site, feel free to chime in!!

Hopefully we hear soon. Can hardly wait.

http://weather.gc.ca/forecast/city_e.html?nu-25&unit=i

The bears hides will start to turn grayish, soon....(because their skin is black, and as they start to lose some winter fur, their thinning white hair coupled with the black skin gives them that grayish appearance).

Jake, you ever seen the movie "fight club"???

You been sleepin' alright? Is TBM really Tyler Durden?

=D

Had some fun on the ice, lots of memories and learned a lot about myself. Had some tears, some scares and some worries. Learned that things will work out for the best and that good things come to good people. A fellow by the name of Jim can attest to that.

Came home with a new sled dog :)

So now Team Foss has a sled dog! ha

Good luck, Robb

Western Mountaineering Cypress bag. They have a -30 a -34 and a -40C bag. Few situations where it will be that cold as it depends when you go. If you look at any of the top bags at REI you will be set up. Don't balk at the $700 price tag. If you buy a big square bag then you will end up paying for another bag on your flights in the US and then a flight heading north in Canada. That will probably be $300 or so. If you get one of these mummy bags it will fit in your duffle bag or you can carry it on. So you end up with a great bag for $500 or less.

Rob

Planted 2500 spruce trees this weekend. They say huskies tend to wander and can just run off on their own. We have already made Juno into a house dog :)

Here she is, supervising my tree planting. I think because she experienced a tough life on the ice that she has built a strong bond with me so quickly.

She fits in well with my wild nine year old rescue "wolf" and the three year old rescue "border collie"

She can run like the wind. I will be in great shape come sheep season. Since Kaiser is slowing down, I will be out lots with his sisters.

I think Juno landed on a lucky star, but then so did I when I found her.