musk ox (pics)

[fishermann222]

The weather on the island I live on was beautiful today. sunny, calm and around 0 degrees, a perfect day to fill my cow musk ox tag. Now this is no walleye fishing like I used to do when I lived in MN, but this is pretty close as far as entertainment. the best part about musk ox is they are incredible to eat.

[tjm]

Wow nice weather to say the least.Great pic.

Last and only time i was on the island back in the late 90's weather was cold/windy.

Guide fee stil about 5 grand????

[fishermann222]

I am not sure what the guide fee is but I think probably around that. I moved to alaska a few years ago, and then moved to the island this year. I live and teach on the island, so went out with my own snowmachine to hunt.

[Stratosman]

That's awesome to say the least.

[Cooter]

Sweet! What do you do with the hide? Must be some pretty durn big backstraps on that critter!

[fishermann222]

the hide is going to be tanned, and the skull done up in a european mount. the hide is SO thick on an ox that it makes a mattress on its own, perfect for laying in front of the tv on.

[The_Duckslayer]

WOW... that would be an awesome hunt! Nice pics thanks for sharing! How much meat does that put in the freezer? Do you process it yourself or take it to the butcher shop? Way cool! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[catman71]

How can you tell a cow from a bull?

What caliber did you take that with?

Cool pics!

[fishermann222]

It is difficult to tell the difference between older cows and young bulls, but it can be done. bulls have a boss, a big area where the horns come together. on young bulls they are white, on old bulls they are dark. cows dont have that. Bulls also have black tips on the horns and they are thicker than a cows. You have to be very careful before you shoot to make sure it is the right sex.

I shot this one with my .338 win mag, but that was major overkill. my .300 is in the shop and I did not want to use the .223. But at a distance of 10 yards I probably should have shot it with the .223.

I have to process myself as the closest butcher shop is 2 flights and 700 bucks away. I enjoy to do that and do it with a few caribou every year as well. got a nice grinder, sausage stuffer, smoker, all I need is a nice saw for some bone in steaks, that would be great on ox.

I have a friend coming out to fill his bull tag tomorrow, so then i will post a photo of a bull so you can compare.

[catman71]

I hate you. You are hunting Musk Ox in Alaska and tonight after I get done with work and after I pick up the kids we are going to get a new mini-van. Then you rub it in talking about another hunt when my in-laws are comming over all weekend! Please tell me how cold it is or how rough you have it!!!

Just kidding, I don't hate you, but the rest is true. Now I'm just sad...

[riverrat56]

Man lets hear some details on the hunt, how do you get with in 10 yards of a Musk Ox....don't they travel in herds? must have been some stalk, I remeber i think you posted that you can only ride your sled to with-in something like a half mile?

[Mark Christianson]

Wow is that cool!

Its a mystery to me how those things live up there.

[tealitup]

Catman I feel your pain! I am playing the lottery more now so I can hunt full-time.

[fishermann222]

well it is not a huge bull, but we were lucky to get him as the weather was on and off all day with minimum of 45mph winds the whole day and blowing snow. on the 40 mile ride home the snow kicked up, followed the gps the whole way back, 5 mph, crummy ride, but definately better than picking up the minivan . I am tuckered out after the ride. You can legally drive up to them, you just can not legally chase them. so you drive up to within a hundred yards then walk up to them, they huddle up and face you. then you just have to wait for them to spread out before you can shoot. it is not really a hunt, it is more a kill.

[riverrat56]

ahhh.......I see

what kind of gun is that that he is holding?

[fishermann222]

gun is a .405 rem