Recreational Caribou hunting has been banned in Quebec since 2018 (the 2017-2018 season was the final season of Caribou hunting). This outcome is a massive disappointment to the many hunters who ventured to the far northern reaches of Quebec to see herds of hundreds of thousands of Caribou migrating through the area.
Our hunting lodge in the rugged wilderness of Northern Manitoba offers an alternative—the opportunity to hunt for Barren-ground Caribou. We have a healthy population that migrates through the area in the fall—you’ll be able to bag one of the most coveted big-game animals in North America.
Why Caribou Hunting Was Stopped in Quebec
Recreational Caribou hunting has been banned in Quebec for conservation. Woodland Caribou herds in the area have seen their populations dwindle rapidly—the George River Caribou Herd, for example, has seen a 99% drop in population since 2001.
The size of the population today is around 5,500. In the 1990s, it was around 800,000. Hunting the herd would put it at serious risk.
The Leaf River Caribou Herd has also declined drastically—from about 600,000 in the 2000s to approximately 190,000 today. Together, the Leaf River herd and George River herd make up most of Quebec’s Caribou population. The two herds feature Caribou of the Quebec-Labrador sub-species of Woodland Caribou (sometimes called the Ungava sub-species—named after their habitat, the Ungava peninsula in Northern Quebec).
What caused the decline in the Quebec-Labrador Caribou population?
Many experts agree that recreational hunting was not the main cause of the decline of the Ungava Caribou population. Climate change and disturbances to their habitat due to logging in the region are two of the most often cited causes for the steep decline in Quebec’s Caribou population.
This change, of course, comes as a serious blow to recreational sport hunting—many of us loved travelling to Northern Quebec or Northern Newfoundland (Labrador) to hunt for these spectacular creatures. Our goal now must be to ensure their preservation so that when populations are stable again, a new generation of hunters will have the opportunity to enjoy the kinds of hunts that we’ve enjoyed.
With that in mind, Caribou hunting in Quebec has been banned. We have an alternative option for you—hunting for Barren-ground Caribou in Manitoba at our remote wilderness lodge.
Manitoba: Your New Caribou Hunting Destination
Manitoba is home to a healthy population of Barren-ground Caribou—the Qamanirjuaq
Barren-ground Caribou herd. A survey taken in 2017 shows that this population has nearly 300,000 Caribou—and that those numbers are steady.
Northern Manitoba is a dream destination for Caribou hunters who can no longer hunt for Quebec Caribou. You’ll be greeted by vast expanses of both taiga and tundra, offering ample opportunities to hunt Caribou. Spot and stalk is the way, her—like the George River or Leaf River herds, the Qamanirijuaq herd is migratory, leading to an exciting hunting experience.
The differences between Woodland and Barren-ground Caribou
We offer an exceptional experience for Caribou hunters. Experienced hunters should know that there are some key differences between the Woodland Caribou in Quebec and the Barren-ground Caribou here in Manitoba. These differences include:
Size: Barren-ground Caribou tend to be slightly smaller—but the bulls are still more than large enough to provide an exciting hunt.
Colour: Barren-ground Caribou tend to be lighter in colour than their Woodland Caribou cousins.
Antlers: Barren-ground Caribou have beautiful, unique antlers that tend to be larger and more complex than their Woodland cousins—though their antlers are less dense.
What to expect from your hunting experience at our lodge
Most of your days will be spent on the hunt for Caribou—but as one of the most pristine hunting lodges in Canada, there’s a whole lot more for you to do. The untamed wilderness surrounding our lodge is teeming with wildlife—you’ll be able to hunt for other animals, go fishing for Pike and Arctic Grayling, and be taken away by the awe-inspiring beauty of the Northern Lights.
You can hunt for Ptarmigan or even go on a bull Moose/Caribou combo hunt, bagging two of the most prized big game animals in North America, all in one trip. Our staff spend months surveying the land for the best spots, so you can hunt and fish to your heart’s content. With the hundreds of thousands of Barren-ground Caribou that range around our camp, you’ll be sure to bag an impressive bull.
We handle all of the harvesting, tagging meat, antlers, and more. All you have to do is go out there and enjoy hunting, fishing, and relaxation.
Planning Your Manitoba Caribou Hunt
Our lodge offers some of the most incredible opportunities for Barren-ground Caribou hunts in all of Canada. We’ve done everything we can to make travelling to our lodge as simple as possible.
People from outside of Manitoba will land in Winnipeg. From there, you can travel to Thompson, Manitoba, by plane or car. Once you arrive, we’ll pick you up in our Cessna plane and fly you out to our remote wilderness lodge, nestled next to Munroe Lake. There are plenty of rivers, streams, and forests in the area—a perfect spot for Caribou hunting.
We’ve made a list of all the things you’ll need to hunt for Caribou with us—firearms, high-visibility hunting vests, and more. These are mostly standard fare.
Book with us well in advance—the spots for our Barren-ground Caribou hunts tend to get booked fairly early in the season. Bring friends, bring family—this is Caribou hunting in Canada like you’ve never experienced before.