Muskox Hunts

Where do you want to muskox hunt?

Muskox Hunting in Alaska

The harvest of muskox in Alaska has increased steadily in recent years. For example, 98 animals were harvested in 2003, and 258 were harvested in 2007.

By the 1920s, muskox had disappeared from Europe, Asia, and Alaska. The only remaining muskox were in Greenland and Arctic Canada. International concern over impending extinction of this animal led to an effort to restore a population in Alaska.

In 1930, conservation groups, led by hunters captured 34 Greenland muskox and relocated them to Nunivak Island, a large island in the Bering Sea. Luckily, they thrived there, and by 1968, the herd had grown to 750 animals. They were later trans-located to establish new herds on the Seward Peninsula, on Cape Thompson and Nelson Islands, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and on Wrangel Island and the Taimyr Peninsula in Russia. By 2000, almost 4,000 muskoxen existed in Alaska. In recent years, the herds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and adjoining areas have declined slightly.

Most drawing hunts for muskox in Alaska are available to residents and nonresidents. Drawing hunts require an application fee and are awarded by lottery. The application period for drawing hunts is during November and December. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Draw Information and Hunt Supplements pages for further information.

Muskox Hunting in Canada

Canada is home to both Greenland and Barren-Ground muskox subspecies.

• Cambridge Bay is on the southeastern end of Victoria Island, and is home to the introduced Greenland subspecies of muskox. SCI does recognize them as “Greenland” muskox and this region has over 200 entries in the record book. Our outfitter holds the current number two, and is tied for number three in the record books. Fall, spring, and summer muskox hunts are available here. *Fall hunts can be combined with Arctic Island Caribou.
• Mainland hunts for Barren-Ground muskox take place in the province of Nunavut,  between the villages of Cambridge Bay and Umingmaktok. High scoring bulls come out of this area every year. There is a good possibility to take an Arctic wolf on these hunts.

Muskox Hunting in Greenland

The range around Kangerlussuaq, Greenland has the largest herds of musk ox in the world, and a large stock of caribou. Polar fox, polar hare, ptarmigan, sea eagle, peregrine falcon can often be seen. Kangerlussuaq has an ”inland” climate with warm summers and cold winters. It is located above the polar circle and has an arctic climate. Winter and Spring/Summer hunts are available here, and you can combo with caribou (reindeer), or choose to hunt the “Arctic Five”.

Muskox Hunting in Russia

Coming soon…

Differences Between Barren-Ground Muskox and Greenland Muskox

There are two commonly recognized subspecies of musk ox: Barren Ground Ovibos moschatus moschatus, and Greenland O. moschatus wardi (also referred to as ‘white face’ musk ox). An adult Barren Ground bull stands about six feet tall at the shoulder and weighs up to 1,000 pounds. The smaller Greenland musk ox bull stands four and a half to five feet tall at the shoulder and weighs up to 800 pounds. Cows are smaller than bulls in both subspecies.