My "Beat the Clock" Caribou

[dhaverstick]

Got back yesterday from my Quebec caribou hunt with Jack Hume Adventures. We didn't see very many animals so the hunt was tough. However, I was able to pull it off on the last day with only 30 minutes left to hunt. I guess I wanted to get all my money's worth!


We weren't seeing that many caribou at our first camp on Ronald Lake so they moved us to another camp on Simon Lake last Friday. We hated leaving the camp and especially our camp hand, Jimmy, but we hoped we would have more opportunities at the second place. We did.

This was the second bull I saw Sunday morning, the last day. The first one caught me moving and, after screwing that up, I figured the odds of me seeing another bull in the next 50 minutes was slim at best. Fortunately, the Caribou Gods smiled upon me and I spotted a second bull coming my way about 20 minutes later. I knew I would have to let him get right even with me before I drew or he would see me and spook. I also knew that I would have to lead him a bit because those guys never stop walking and they walk fast! When the bull got even with me, I picked a spot in front of his front shoulder and hoped I had led him enough. By the time I let go of the string, he was past me and quartering away. Fortunately, I had guessed right and my arrow hit him perfectly in the ribs with the broadhead burying into the off shoulder. There was a big patch of his hide already covered in blood as I watched him run down towards the lake and out of sight. The shot was a little over 20 yards. I used a 55# Quest longbow made by Wild Horse Creek Bows, a homemade mahogany arrow, and a 190 grain Meathead broadhead.

With the arrival of our float plane imminent, my hunting buddy, John Henning, and I set out to find the bull immediately. We went to the place where we had last seen the animal and then headed towards the lake shore. Within five minutes, John hollered at me that my bull was lying in the lake up by where he was. I was excited that I was able to pull off a last-second kill and relieved that we were able to find him so quickly. John then ran back to camp and, in short order, our camp hands, Jacque and Guy, had a rope around the bull's neck and towed him back to camp with a motor boat.

After showing the camp hands what the "gutless method" was (they had no idea) we quickly got the bull skinned and quartered. I had just enough time to finish packing and change clothes before our float plane arrived to take us back to base camp. The whole week was quite an adventure and not something I'll forget about any time soon!

Darren

This is how we found him, floating in the water


Me taking my victory drink!


My hunting partner, John Henning


Making espresso on the tundra. A man still needs the finer things in life!


Sunset on Simon Lake


A nice pike I caught the last morning in camp


Our camp at Simon Lake


John and Jimmy, our first camp hand, glassing for caribou


Water is everywhere!


A nice rainbow


We had a cool bus driver back at base camp

[Yooper-traveler]

Great adventure!  Love those pics.  Congrats!

[Bill Turner]

Now that is a hunt to remember. Thank you for taking us along for the ride.  

[MIBIGHNTR]

AWESOME pics, CONGRATS!!

[Crittergetter]

Very cool!!  Congrats on a great adventure!
Caribou is at the Top of my bucket list!!

[Ray Lyon]

Congratulations!

[KentuckyTJ]

Dream hunt congrats Brother!

[Bud B.]

Very nice!

[Jackrhendricks]

Congrats ! Just goes to show success can happen in seconds!

[Jim Brennen]

Congratulations and awesome pics

[Kopper1013]

Awesome congrats

[CRM_95]

Awesome!! Congrats!!

[ron w]

         NICE !!!

[Paul/KS]

Congratulations Darren! Good shooting and ya got it with one of Dunnaway's bows too. Can't go no better...    

[Horsey]

Congratulations, Darren.  You talk about performing under pressure!  That caribou will taste mighty sweet.  Good job!
--Mike Dunnaway

[dhaverstick]

I'm afraid, Mr. Dunnaway, that I'm about to wear your bow out, though. I will need to talk to you about a new one next February.

Darren

[TSHOOTER]

Congrats Darren.  That looked like a wonderful time!  Thanks for sharing.

[Keith Zimmerman]

Congrats!  Love my Wild Horse Creek bows.  Mike builds a beauty.

[mangonboat]

A true adventure! Great story and pics!

[BDann]

Congrats!  Thanks for sharing the pics and story.