Hunting

Tundra Kings

Photo: donaldmjones.com Think hunting caribou is easy? OL Executive Editor John Snow shares a weeklong journey through the tundra, and wins his trophy the hard way. Outdoor Life Online Editor

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Photo: John Snow Jolly Lake, where the camp was located, is 140 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The lake presents a formidable natural barrier that forces the caribou to skirt its edges. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow Although tundra in the far north looks inviting enough in the pictures you see of it, in truth it is the most difficult terrain to traverse. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: donaldmjones.com The caribou migration is the most impressive movement of game in the Northern Hemisphere. The inability to locate caribou is hardly unique, and has been shared by hunters from time immemorial. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow The twin-engined DeHavilland Otter is one of the key lifelines for supplies and transportation in the Northwest Territories. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow Footsore but happy, OL's John Snow and his guide pose with the one and only bull they got close to during their weeklong hunt on Jolly Lake in late August. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow The tundra is beyond the dotted line on the map that indicates the northern extreme of where trees grow. While it can seem featureless when you're gazing toward the horizon, it's striking when you take a closer look. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow A variety of mushrooms and fungus cover the ground, including some outlandish red toadstools covered with white dots. A digital camera with a good "macro" setting captures all the detail. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: Eddie Berman The Marlin 1895 MXLR, which the OL editor used to shoot his caribou, claims a spot in the distinguished history of hunting .45s. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow Working in conjunction with ammunition maker Hornady, Marlin has presided over the rebirth of the lever-action with the XLR series, which is built around specific ammunition that has impressive accuracy and downrange performance. Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow If you want to go: Courageous Lake Outfitters runs caribou hunts throughout the late summer and fall. Hunters are allowed two tags and can purchase additional tags for wolves and wolverines. (courageouslake.com) Outdoor Life Online Editor
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Photo: John Snow If you want to go: Courageous Lake Outfitters runs caribou hunts throughout the late summer and fall. Hunters are allowed two tags and can purchase additional tags for wolves and wolverines. (courageouslake.com) Outdoor Life Online Editor

Think hunting caribou is easy? OL Executive Editor John Snow shares a weeklong journey through the tundra, and wins his trophy the hard way.