Muskox Hunts

Muskox Hunting in Alaska

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.