A Caribou Quest Years In The Making

Send us Fan MailA childhood memory—“caribou make a C”—set Cody on a path that didn’t let go until he stood in the Mackenzie Mountains with a bull on the ground and snow creeping down the ridges. This story begins years before the shot, in 2016, when he started messaging outfitters across the North to understand species, terrain, costs, and what truly makes a hunt worth the wait. We walk through the tradeoffs between barren-ground tundra and the mixed country of the McKenzie range, why Ravensthroat’s reputation and responsiveness sealed the deal, and how booking early with a top-tier guide can change everything.We get practical and precise—gear that matters when helicopters, rain, and drafty teepee tents are your reality. From a 280 Ackley Improved with 145-grain all-copper Hammers to mid-flex boots, bombproof rain shells, and a zero-degree bag that saves sleep, Cody explains what worked and why. Then the hunt unfolds: float plane to camp, prime rib at the lodge, wolves echoing across the lake, and a guide who understood exactly what this dream meant. We spend time on the hard part—knowing when to pass, when to commit, and how to balance a once-in-a-lifetime budget with the desire to let the story breathe. When the right bull appears—great tops, strong bez—Cody takes a calm quartering-away shot at 180 yards and feels the North settle into him for good.The days after are rich with what makes mountain hunts unforgettable: packing meat in cold rain, fresh snow on black rock, a grizzly feeding down a meadow, grayling flashing in clear water, and a helicopter scouting run that reveals just how alive this country is. We also break down logistics most hunters overlook—donating meat to northern communities, freezing and flying capes and antlers, and the small-town ingenuity that turns a tarp into checkable luggage. If you’re dreaming of a caribou hunt—or any remote big-game adventure—this conversation offers field-tested insight on outfitters, gear, weather, travel, and mindset. Subscribe, share with a hunting buddy, and tell us: would you have taken the shot or waited one more day?Check us out on Facebook  Hunts On Outfitting, or myself Ken Marr. Reach out and  Tell your hunting buddies about the podcast if you like it, Thanks!