Hunts in Northwest Territories
Hunt with our Friends - Hunts in Northwest Territories
Are you looking for species not available with our BC guided hunts? Hunt with our friends in Northwest Territories.
Hunts in Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada offer a diverse and thrilling hunting experience. This vast wilderness, spanning over half a million square miles, provides hunters with unique opportunities to pursue a variety of big game species in pristine, untouched landscapes.
Big game hunting in the NWT is particularly renowned, with sought-after species including moose, caribou, wood bison, muskox, and Dall sheep. The territory’s diverse ecosystems, from boreal forests to arctic tundra, support a rich array of wildlife, making it a hunter’s paradise.
Grizzly bear hunting is a popular pursuit in the NWT. The territory’s large bear population offers exciting opportunities for spot-and-stalk hunts, challenging even the most experienced hunters.
For those seeking a truly unique arctic adventure, the NWT is one of the few places where hunters can legally pursue polar bears, under strict quotas and guidelines. These hunts typically take place in remote areas and require the services of experienced Inuit guides.
Hunters in the NWT must adhere to specific regulations and obtain the necessary licenses and tags. Non-resident hunters are required to use the services of licensed outfitters for big game hunts, ensuring both safety and compliance with local laws.
The NWT’s commitment to wildlife management and conservation ensures sustainable hunting practices. Hunting seasons and bag limits are carefully regulated to maintain healthy wildlife populations while providing quality hunting opportunities.
Whether you’re pursuing trophy animals in the wilderness or enjoying traditional hunts closer to populated areas, the Northwest Territories offers an unforgettable hunting adventure in one of North America’s last great frontiers.
To connect with us about our hunts in Northwest Territories, design your custom hunt and let us know your interest
Dall Sheep Hunt
Dall Sheep hunts in Northwest Territories of Canada are prized trophies for hunters seeking a challenging mountain hunt. These majestic animals are known for their distinctive white coat and curled horns.
Specs: Dall Sheep have a thick, creamy white coat and impressive curled horns, particularly in rams.
Size: Rams weigh 160-180 pounds and stand about 3 feet at the shoulder. Ewes are smaller, weighing 100-110 pounds.
Season: The hunting season in NWT typically runs from mid-July to late September.
Locations: Dall Sheep are found in the Mackenzie Mountains and Richardson Mountains of the Northwest Territories.
About the hunt: Hunting Dall Sheep in NWT is physically demanding, requiring excellent fitness to navigate steep, rocky terrain. Spot-and-stalk is the primary hunting method.
Behaviours: Dall Sheep are highly social, with rams forming bachelor groups and ewes forming nursery groups with lambs. They use head-on collisions to establish dominance.
Diet & Seasonal Range: These sheep are herbivores, feeding on grasses, sedges, and lichens in summer, switching to frozen grasses and sedges in winter. They migrate to mineral licks in spring.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, Dall Sheep populations are carefully managed through hunting regulations, including restrictions on harvesting only mature rams. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and monitoring population trends to ensure sustainable hunting opportunities.
Mountain Caribou Hunt
Mountain Caribou hunts in Northwest Territories provide a challenging experience in the rugged terrain of Canada’s northern mountains.
Specs: Mountain Caribou have a darker coat than other caribou subspecies, with a distinctive white neck. Both sexes grow antlers, with males having larger, more complex racks.
Size: Bulls weigh 300-600 pounds, while cows weigh 200-300 pounds. They stand about 4-5 feet tall at the shoulder.
Season: The hunting season in NWT typically runs from late August to late October.
Locations: Mountain Caribou are found in the Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories.
About the hunt: Hunting Mountain Caribou in NWT often involves horseback or backpack hunts in steep, mountainous terrain. Hunters must be in excellent physical condition.
Behaviours: Mountain Caribou are less migratory than other caribou subspecies. They form small groups and are known for their ability to navigate difficult mountain terrain.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They feed on lichens, grasses, and shrubs. Their range includes alpine and subalpine areas, with some seasonal movement to lower elevations in winter.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, Mountain Caribou populations are managed through limited entry hunts and ongoing conservation efforts to protect their habitat.
Alaska-Yukon Moose Hunt
The Alaska-Yukon Moose is a highly sought-after big game species for hunts in the Northwest Territories, known for its impressive size and challenging hunt.
Specs: These moose have a dark brown coat, long legs, a pronounced shoulder hump, and males sport large, palmate antlers.
Size: Bulls can weigh 1,200 to 1,600 pounds and stand up to 7 feet tall at the shoulder.
Season: The hunting season in NWT typically occurs during the rut, from early September to mid-October.
Locations: Alaska-Yukon Moose are commonly found in the Mackenzie Mountains and swampy lowlands of the Northwest Territories.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include spot-and-stalk, glassing, and float hunting along rivers and lakes. The rugged terrain and unpredictable weather add to the challenge.
Behaviours: Generally solitary but may form small groups during the rut. They are most active at dawn and dusk and can be aggressive during mating season.
Diet & Seasonal Range: In summer, they feed on aquatic plants and leaves, while in winter, they browse on willow, birch, and aspen twigs. They migrate between summer and winter ranges based on forage availability.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, moose populations are carefully managed through monitoring, habitat conservation, and regulated hunting to ensure sustainable numbers. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining habitat quality and connectivity.
Wood Bison Hunt
Wood Bison hunts in Northwest Territories offer a unique opportunity to pursue North America’s largest land mammal in its natural habitat.
Specs: Wood bison have a large head, shoulder hump, and shaggy coat on their shoulders and front legs. Their fur ranges from dark brown to black.
Size: They weigh 1,000-2,200 lbs and measure 6 1.2 – 11 1/2 inches in length, standing up to 6 1/2 ft at the shoulder.
Season: The hunting season in NWT typically occurs from November to March.
Locations: Wood bison are found in the Mackenzie, Nahanni, and Slave River Lowlands regions of the Northwest Territories.
About the hunt: Hunting wood bison involves navigating snowy terrains and requires special permits. The hunt is often conducted to manage populations and prevent disease spread.
Behaviours: Wood bison are social animals forming herds, with males often separating into bachelor groups. They exhibit seasonal movements and are capable of rapid movement despite their size.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They primarily graze on grasses and sedges, with seasonal variations including willow leaves in summer. Their range adapts based on food availability and snow conditions.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, wood bison management includes conservation efforts to maintain disease-free populations, regulated hunting to control numbers, and habitat protection. Collaborative efforts involve Indigenous communities and government agencies.
Muskox Hunt
Muskox hunts in Northwest Territories provide a truly unique Arctic hunting experience, allowing hunters to pursue these prehistoric-looking animals in their natural habitat.
Specs: Muskox have barrel-shaped bodies with short legs, covered in a long, shaggy coat. Both sexes have cream-coloured horns with black tips.
Size: They stand 4 to 5 feet tall at the shoulder, measure 4 to 8 feet in length, and weigh between 400 and 900 pounds.
Season: In NWT, the hunting season runs from August 15 to April 15.
Locations: Muskox are found on Banks, Eglinton, Melville, and Victoria Islands, as well as on the mainland from the Arctic coast to the treeline.
About the hunt: Hunting muskox in the Northwest Territories often involves using snow machines and sleds to access remote areas. The extreme cold and specialized gear requirements add to the challenge.
Behaviours: Muskox live in herds with a dominance hierarchy and exhibit defensive behaviours like forming a circle to protect calves.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They are herbivores that eat grasses, sedges, mosses, and woody plants. In summer, they prefer lush vegetation in wet areas, while in winter, they move to higher elevations with shallow snow.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, muskox populations are managed through regulated hunting seasons, quotas, and conservation efforts to ensure sustainable populations.
Grizzly Bear Hunt
Grizzly Bear hunts in Northwest Territories offer an exhilarating and challenging experience for hunters seeking one of North America’s most iconic predators.
Specs: Grizzlies have a prominent shoulder hump, a dished face, and long front claws. Their coat colour ranges from light tan to dark brown, often with silver-tipped hairs.
Size: Males weigh 400–800 lb and females 300–400 lb. Average length is 6 1/2 – 8 ft.
Season: The hunting season in NWT typically runs from late April to the end of May.
Locations: Grizzly bears in the Northwest Territories are found in diverse habitats including alpine and subalpine terrain, tundra, and semi-forested areas.
About the hunt: Hunting grizzlies in NWT involves spot-and-stalk methods, as baiting is banned. Hunters must navigate challenging terrains and be prepared for unpredictable weather.
Behaviours: Grizzlies are solitary and reclusive, except during breeding or when raising cubs. They are active during day and night but may alter habits to avoid humans.
Diet & Seasonal Range: These bears are omnivorous, with a diet changing seasonally from vegetation and ungulates in spring to berries and insects in summer, and calorie-dense foods in fall.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, grizzly bear populations are managed through strict hunting regulations and conservation efforts. Population estimates are closely monitored to prevent overharvesting.
Polar Bear Hunt
Polar Bear hunts in Northwest Territories offer an unparalleled Arctic hunting experience, allowing hunters to pursue one of the world’s largest land carnivores in its natural habitat.
Specs: Polar bears have white or yellowish fur with black skin underneath. They have a thick layer of fat and a double-layered coat for insulation.
Size: Adult males weigh 650-1,700–800 lbs and measure 8-10 ft in length. Females are smaller, weighing 330-650 lbs.
Season: The hunting season in NWT runs from October 1 to May 31.
Locations: Polar bears in the Northwest Territories are found in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, including the Northern and Southern Beaufort Sea areas.
About the hunt: Polar bear hunting in NWT is highly regulated and involves traditional methods such as using dog sleds and snowmobiles, guided by Inuit hunters.
Behaviours: Polar bears are solitary and spend much of their time hunting seals. They are most active during the first third of the day and rest frequently.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They primarily eat ringed and bearded seals, relying on sea ice to hunt. During ice-free seasons, they may scavenge or fast.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, polar bear populations are managed through quotas, licensing, and co-management agreements with Indigenous communities.
Wolverine Hunt
Wolverine hunts in Northwest Territories provide a challenging pursuit of one of Canada’s most elusive and hardy predators.
Specs: Wolverines are stocky, muscular animals with short legs, broad heads, and small eyes. Their fur is thick, dark, and glossy, with a lateral stripe of blond or buff-coloured pelage.
Size: Body length ranges from 25-43 inches, with a shoulder height of 14-17 inches. Males weigh 25-40 lbs and females 17–26 lbs.
Season: The spring hunting season in NWT typically runs from February to April.
Locations: Wolverines are found across the Northwest Territories in various habitats, including boreal forests, alpine tundra, and arctic tundra.
About the hunt: Hunting wolverines in NWT is challenging due to their cunning nature and stamina. Methods include tracking with snowmobiles and spot-and-stalk techniques.
Behaviours: Wolverines are solitary and territorial, with males overlapping territories of 2–6 females. They are known for their physical endurance and can travel long distances.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They are opportunistic feeders, primarily scavenging carrion in winter and hunting small mammals in summer. Their range shifts seasonally, with lower elevations used more in winter.
Management: In the Northwest Territories, wolverine populations are stable but sparsely distributed. Management includes regulated hunting and trapping, with conservation efforts focusing on habitat protection and monitoring population trends.
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conservation initiatives in the Chilcotin Ark
