Barren Land caribou "Very Unpredictable"

The Quebec/Labrador caribou has been less than cooperative at times during the past two years and that's made hunting extremely difficult for all outfitters in our region. Caribou are and always have been migratory animals but we have consistently delivered reasonable success rates by hunting strategically placed camps along the migration route. The unpredictable migration pattern of the George River Caribou herd in Quebec Labrador began for us in 2000 and success rates for caribou hunters dropped below our yearly averages.

This caused frustration for both Quebec Labrador caribou hunters and outfitters. While our camps are of the greatest quality, the meals superb, it's the caribou most people are after and the barren tundra can be a very lonely place when they don't show up. This situation leads to unhappy hunters and obvious questions about the caribou herd and our integrity. Are your camps in the right location? Have the migration routes changed because of the food (lichen) being over-browsed? Since these questions are asked frequently, let me try to answer them.! Our camps are located in the most strategic areas we know given the migration pattern. The depletion of food is not a reason for migration change. There is an abundance of food (lichen) in the areas surrounding our camps.

Most people believe the change in caribou movement is tied directly to the warm weather we've experienced for the past few years. When the temperature rises above 8 degrees Celsius the black flies and mosquitoes become a major factor slowing down caribou migration and altering their normal migratory routes. Caribou seek relief by moving north where it is cooler or closer to the sea where cool breezes give them protection from biting insects. They also find high ridges where breeze are better and simply stop moving. The result has been spotty hunting caused by caribou slowing their migration or otherwise changing their traditional patterns. This stop and start movement means that certain camps do well while camps located just 20 miles away see no animals.

But remember, although caribou numbers are at an all time high, they are migratory animals and their range is in excess of 400,000 square miles. Even with making the changes noted, caribou can, and occasionally will, stay far enough away from our camps, so hunting opportunities will be limited even with the use of aircraft and we won't be able to move hunters far enough to make a difference. That's hunting and if hunters can't accept that possibility then they should choose not to hunt migratory animals.

At Labrador-Caribou Wilderness Adventures we will do everything within our control to give hunters a safe and successful hunt, good facilities and equipment, knowledgeable guides, excellent meals and personalized service. We can't and won't guarantee a kill just to get a deposit. We plan on being in the outfitting business a long time.

A very sincere thank you from all of us at Labrador-Caribou Wilderness Adventures to our loyal guest who have hunted with us year after year. We have incorporated many of your suggestions in our operations for the coming year and we're looking forward to the season.

Sincerely
Labrador-Caribou Wilderness Adventures

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