Had a great opportunity to go to Greenland mid September. With travel still a concern to Europe, with a vaccine requirement, Lings Hunting Greenland had a lot of September open. I would be the only hunter there for the week I booked.
Looking at the rising cost of Caribou in Canada, Greenland made sense with a combo hunt coming out less than what most outfitters charged for Central Barren Ground Caribou by itself. Even though I live in Alaska Musk ox is still a tough draw (1-2%), and still costly even if you do draw. The area that was "first come first serve" is a lot harder to get and logistically a challenge.
To warm up I made a bonzai trip up the haul road. Found a nice bull and filled my first tag. made a couple of blown stalks on bigger bulls, and one missed long shot. Good to get it out before a big trip
I've been to Greenland a few times doing MIA work. I'd love to go back on a hunt....there or Iceland. Hopefully there are some pics/vids/story top follow????
With travel as it was a Layover in Copenhagen was the route. I got into Kangerlussuaq and Karsten Lings picked me up. I was able to unpack and check my bow. Before I knew it Karsten asked if I was willing to head out for a quick afternoon scouting trip?
Of Course I was! we loaded up and I grabbed my bow. Saw some great country... and a heard of Musk Ox with a decent bull. We made a move closer to look at the bull- but the wind was bad and it took off. Was getting later so we headed back home.
On a bend Lucas- signaled he spotted an ox, so we stopped to get a better look- cow and calf by a lake. It was the tail end of the rut so we moved in closer to see if any more musk ox were with them- Old Bull with big boss! the tips were worn off but I like mass!
Greenland is fantastic! I just got back from my second trip last Sunday. Getting there is half the fun, especially in the new Covid world order. Tuned in.
My first shot was a bit low and forward but hit good blood vessels, the second was perfect double lung. Karsten recommends behind the shoulder and higher than lower- hard to tell with all the hair. They are awesome shaggy beasts.
It was later when I shot the bull so the picture quality was lower- Karsten and Lucas made short work of the bull, but night fall engulfed us before long. Was amazing to have the Aurora to entertain us on the way back
Shot placement is hard to judge due to the way the skirt hangs down. Our guide told us to aim center of hump, 18” down from the top. It took 5 shots to bring mine down. They’re tough critters.
What an awesome animal and hunt! Congratulations WW!
That one is still lurking on the edge. When they allow traditional bows, I will go if I haven’t won the lotto in Alaska… Just too bad us trad guys couldn’t go early as the price was right when they started. All the compound guys got the deals, dang it!
Anyone considering Greenland should seriously look into Karsten. Top quality outfit with amazing people… and considerably less expensive than other outfitters in Greenland…. At least when I went.
Yes Karsten is less than the other outfitters, and he is the real deal. Has the most Musk Ox in his concessions and trophy quality. Even though he is Danish decent, he was born and raised in Greenland. Lives there year round and is a hunting machine with his son Lucas. They monitor the herds, manage populations. And I am most jealous they still get to hunt Walrus, whales and polar bear! I may need to move to Greenland......
Next up was Caribou. Coming into the trip, this is what clinched the deal for me. Looking at Central Barren Ground Caribou prices it was a no brainer to go to Greenland. P&Y young recognizes this herd as such, though there has been some discrepancy with B&C, SCI, and G$CO.
I was willing to shoot any representative animal since I know Caribou can be fickle. Wide open spaces and wind also make shots difficult on wary animals. Even though I wasn't picky, Karsten said he wanted a respectable one for me.
We glassed a number of herds 5-20 animals but no shooter bulls. Finally a tall bull looked good enough for them and was in a stalk able area. I said lets go for it and see what happens. I have had many stalks fail on caribou and wanted to up my chances.
We made a move, and the bull actually came closer while out of sight. We had to backtrack to get the wind right and out of no where the bull turns and walks right at us!
Karsten hits the ground I range him at 45 and draw. No time to film, as I release as the bull turns to go back. We hear a solid hit and this is what we see right after!
The bull was hit hard. The entrance was a bit back but exit was good. It walked out of sight. We crept over to where we could see it and it was bedded but head still up. I don't like to see animals suffer so moved to make a finishing shot. The bull stood up as I drew, but it didn't go far after that
In talking to Karsten for the biggest bulls he says in the velvet they can be spotted a bit easier, but farther hiking. A good time for the full white winter capes would be during the rut about first week of October. The big bulls always show up then.
With a whole week left and being the only hunter there I was up for shooting a second Musk Ox! The trophy fee to add one on is minor compared to the opportunity and within the concession there really isn't a limit to the number they can harvest. Thus some outfitters (enter a well known name here _____) have over harvested their areas of trophy bulls and had to move to new area...
We took a day to care for meat and hides and good food made by Hanne.
Karsten has an area a new road was going in that he had not been in since early summer, but saw a big Musk Ox then. I was up for exploring the new area to see what was going on. I did not bring a rubber blunt or judo point and not wanting to break arrows/broadheads we took his Suppressed Subsonic 22 for small game!
I had seen this neat Inuit Ornament display at their house. Hanne is part Inuit and she showed me how to make them out of the ptarmigan crops. the seeds inside make each one unique-
You have to be careful teasing out the crop. Make sure there are no holes in it. pinch off one end and inflate through the other, then pinch. Let dry! For you bird hunters out there may make a cool addition to the Christmas tree this year!
We covered a lot of ground that day without turning up a musk ox. That area is not in Karsten's concession but a public area. He had a couple special tags to hunt there. On the way back we saw a couple herds to the North, which was on his concession. We had a plan for the next day.
Congratulations on your Greenland hunt…..I just got back last Saturday. Was with Chief 419 and Sticksender. We went with Frank Feldman and everything was absolutely fantastic. My bull was like yours, old with worn tips, but had nice bosses.
We got onto a herd with a nice bull. We moved in close to get a better look- the bull still had black tips and good bosses. The wind shifted and the musk ox bumped, but not too far.
I had a choice to make- shoot this one or hold out for an even better one? Karsten said there was always a bigger bull out there, but did I have enough time? and was I willing not to get another? Lucas, the quiet type spoke in Danish to Karsten- which he told me later was that I was crazy for not shooting that big bull right away! haha
The plan was to sit on this herd- we watched them bed, while Lucas took the atv and would scout for another herd in the area and see if a bigger one turned up. I ate an early lunch and watched the big bull take a nap.
Lucas returned having only found 4 small bulls in a group. I knew this bull was bigger than the last and the stalk was on. Lucas videoed from afar while Karsten and I moved in close. I ended up again getting two shots on the bull!!
Here is the view Over the shoulder- once we moved in close I ranged the herd, The bull was a bit further back than the others, but on top of that My hand had gotten cold from sitting out eating lunch etc. So when I drew and went to my release I punched the trigger with my cold hand!! The shot went off prematurely and I hit the bull low and back :(
Now I'm sure you were all thinking what the heck was I doing between shots? Haha-
I was shaking with excitement like usual but my hand was cold and I grabbed the second arrow and went to draw it popped off the string, leaving the nock on the string and shaft on the the ground! I couldn't get it put back so methodically put my bow down, put the nock back on the shaft, nocked the arrow and finally went through a normal shot process with good results
Another cool trophy at the house, too bad the US doesn’t allow importation of marine mammals. I still may have to hunt walrus some day after listening to the stories from Karsten!
Heck of a warp speed rollercoaster hunt for the first couple of days!! Congrats on three great animals! Nice touch with the mini vids to help tell the story.
Just to revive the recent Greenland musk ox interest. I did have the skulls Officially scored. Would love to go back with Karsten Lings and shoot a couple more!
