Arctic Hunting Gear List and Tips

Hunting in the brutally cold weather of the Arctic is both a mental and physical challenge to keep after it day after day. However, much of the grind simply comes down to having the right Arctic hunting gear, and your ability to handle being out in the cold weather. Here’s a look at some of the best gear for Arctic hunting be it for muskox, polar bear or walrus.

Arctic Hunting Gear List

Recommended Clothing for an Arctic Hunt

Please discuss your clothing choices with the outfitter prior to your hunt for more information, as these suggestions can vary slightly based on where and what you’ll be hunting. *Rental of down filled parka, bib overalls, mitts and boots is available from our Arctic outfitter in Nunavut, and we highly recommend that you take advantage of their Rental Gear Package.

Arctic Footwear

• We highly recommend using extreme cold weather boots rated at -100°C / -148°F in 1 to 2 sizes larger than your regular shoe size. Loose fitting is a must.
• Three (3) pair of cold weather socks. We recommend any of these:
  • Lorpen T3+Polartec Hunt Over-The-Calf Socks
  • Darn Tough Men’s Hunter Boot Heavyweight Hunting Sock, also available in women’s sizes.
  • Icebreaker Heavy Wool Socks
• Two (2) pair of thin liner socks. Personal preference, but we like the Kenetrek Ultimate Liner Sock.
• Our hunters have had excellent results with both the Hothands and Ignik Outdoors Foot Warmers, especially when riding in the Qamutik (Inuit style sled).
• Optional: Camp shoes such as Crocs or down filled booties.

Base Layer

150 and 200 long sleeve tops and bottoms made of merino wool for your base layer. We like:

• Icebreaker
• Stone Glacier Chinook
• BlackOvis Keele Heavyweight + Merino 1/2 Zip Hoodie
• KUIU underwear

Gloves and Mittens

• Two (2) pair of liner gloves. We recommend Mountain Hardwear fleece Power Stretch or KUIU Peloton 130 gloves for use inside the mittens. (One is an extra set) *Hunters should practice shooting with the liner gloves prior to arriving.
• Extreme cold weather mittens. (Cabela’s offers a variety of quality Arctic rated mittens.) *The outfitter also includes mittens when renting the parka and bib-overalls.

Insulating Layers

• KUIU Super Down PRO Jacket, Pant and Vest or similar product. *If bow hunting, it is advisable to shed parka in order to shoot in the above mentioned layers. Hunters should practice with these layers prior to arriving in the Arctic.

Outerwear

We highly recommend renting the extreme cold weather down filled parka and bib-overalls from the outfitter.

Mid-Layer

• A high quality wool sweater. Note: Cabela’s offers a windproof version.
• A hunting shirt and pant ensemble. Note: A change of clothing while out hunting is not necessary.

Headwear

• Two (2) pair of Arctic rated balaclavas. (Klim Arctic balaclava or equivalent.)
• Aviator hat with earflaps.
• Extra-large body and hand warmers are highly recommended for placing one in each mitten per day lasting 12 to 18 hours. (A smaller 10-hour hand warmer is also available.)
• Recommended: Hand and foot warmers.
• Optional: Neck warmers by Buff Wear

Eyewear

• One (1) pair of ski goggles with nose guard. Note: The nose guard prevents goggles from fogging up.
• One (1) pair of sunglasses.

Hunting Gear for an Arctic Hunt

Required Hunting Gear

• Down or synthetic filled sleeping bag rated -34°C / -30°F. (To insure a high comfort level of sleep and in an emergency situation could save your life.) *Our outfitter has developed an Arctic Sleeping Bag down filled made in Canada.
• Large calibre rifle such as a .338 Win Mag or .375 H&H with two (2) boxes of ammunition.
  • All rifles must be degreased prior to arriving in the Arctic.
  • Airline regulations require that a trigger lock be installed on your firearm. We recommend the Master Lock 94DSPT 3 Digit Combination Trigger Lock.

• Bow hunters should have a minimum 60 lb draw weight and minimum 1-inch wide broadheads. If you wish to hunt with a lesser draw weight, we invite
  you to contact our outfitter’s bow-hunting expert beforehand.
• Soft padded gun or hard bow case for transporting your weapon during the hunt. *The hard gun case used to travel with can be left behind at the Inuit community’s hotel while you are out on the hunt.

Optional Hunting Gear

• High quality 8 power binoculars.
• Knife with a 4 or 5-inch blade.
• Small fanny pack kept under the insulating layers to store camera batteries and keep them from draining.

Other Suggested Items

• A roll of heavy duty Duct Tape.
• Books for reading during downtime, headlamp with extra batteries, lip balm, hot chocolate drink mix, candy and assorted chocolate, a small pack of wet wipes and energy bars, Emergen-C Drinks.
• Personal toiletries.
• Camera with extra batteries.

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