Winter Caribou Hunting in Northern Quebec Labrador Canada

We left St. Jerome Qc. on the 5th. of April 2003 onTommy if all goes well we'll be back late to night. If
our way to Sept-ILes Qc. this is on the Northshorenothing is in site we will be back tomorrow. Mr.
of the Saint Lawerence River. A 12 hour drive fromAlbert's lodge was up there and if we needed too
Montreal. The next morning we took the Naskapiwe could sleep there for the night. We had been
Train up to Schefferville. This was also a 12 hour ridetraveling for about two and not a track to been
when things go well. It may be 15 t0 20 hours whenseen, not even a skidoo track or snowmobile track.
things don't go well.We stopped and took a short break and an excellent
We arrived at the small village of Schefferville at 8cup of hot coffee.
pm. It was pretty cold, a good minus -15* Our nativeWe continued our pleasure trip, the winter caribou
friend Tommy was there to pick us up. After a goodhunt. About 45 minutes latter we had just crossed
hand shake we were on our way to his place.some caribou tracks. Not to old and maybe 50 or
Tommy is a police officer for the community ofmore of them. I told Guy they're heading west and
Machemechush, has been doing this job for a goodthat's good as there on the Quebec side.
20 years.We traveled another hour and we could see that the
While having our excellent supper, which was "cariboucaribou headed into the bush. we stopped and I told
bourginon" with that great bottle of red wine fromGuy that with the snowmobiles that we have there's
France. Tommy gave us the bad news, that he couldno problem going straight into the bush after them.
not leave tomorrow as planned. He had to work onGuy had a Bombardier Tundra and I a Skandic wide
one of his files and transfer someone to Sept-Iles.track. So that we did. I was in front. The caribou trail
Well I said Tom your the one that's going to misswas about 10 feet wide. We kept on following those
out on an interesting caribou hunt. If you don't mindtracks. I saw a clearing in front and then a small lake.
we shall leave as planned and if the weather is okay.We kept on following the tracks and then about
Tommy's response was quick, " I knew that it would1000 feet ahead on the small lake, they had stopped
be an answer like that, coming from you."and were looking at at us. Yes at least 100 of them
Is there any caribou around? They have not seenor more. They took off for the bush which seemed
many in the last two weeks. Are the people outpretty close from where we were. I jumped for my
hunting? Yes the usual ones. How about Wackuwackrifle, pulled it out of the case, put the charger in and
Lake have they been up there? I don't think so, that,aimed over their heads and for the bush in front of
maybe would be good spot. I looked over to mythem. Pulled the trigger, they stopped, turned around
buddy Guy and ask him, what do you think? He said,and headed straight for us at a full gallop. I said Guy
Fred I'm 100% in favour to go where you want toget your rifle out, their going to pass right in front of
go. Heck, that way we'll never have any problemsus. That's what they did and let me tell you they
then. I asked Tom are your snowmobiles ready? Yeseven stopped and were looking at us. I picked out
and both of them have been inspected and tuned up.my fist one and down it went and for the second
All you need is another 10 gallons of gas also theone the exact same thing. I heard Guy's two shots
lunch is packed and ready. You can gas up at 7 am.and saw both of them fall one after the other. We
What time does Bla Bla restaurant open forhad both our caribous. What a feeling. We both
breakfast? 6 am. great, a good and healthy breakfastshook hands and patted each other on the back. It
with, fat bacon and a few eggs, we'll be okay forwas done.
the whole day.We gutted all four, tied them up on the sleds. Had a
Next morning at 6 am. we where having that healthysandwich and another hot cup of coffee. It was only
breakfast. Gassed up the two 5 gallon reservoirs, tied1 pm. and all ready on our way back to Schefferville.
ever thing to the sleighs and on our way towardsThis is what I call another great trip. Also let me tell
Wachuwach Lake. This is 70 miles north ofyou that the best eating caribou meat is when it's
Schefferville and on the Quebec side.shot in the winter time. Tender and delicious, from
It was a beautiful day, sunshine and at 8 am. it wasmy past experience it's the most tender wild meat
all ready up to +3* Not a breeze of wind. I toldthat you will ever eat.