Jean Marie Itturiligaq figures he was around five years old when he first accompanied his father on a hunt.
SA国际影视传媒淚 remember when he got a caribou,SA国际影视传媒� he says.
Silas Kammuka photo
His own first harvest would come when he was 11 or 12. He too shot a caribou.
Caribou meat is something special, whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 fried, dried or boiled, he enjoys eating it just the same, he says.
There have been many successful hunts since then: seals, walrus, whales and a wide variety of birds except ravens and seagulls.
Maggie Nattuk photo
SA国际影视传媒淲hen I come back with meat, I share it with my family,SA国际影视传媒� he says.
His first polar bear eluded him for quite a while but that changed last fall. He lined up the predator in the sites of his trusted rifle SA国际影视传媒� he tends to hunt with a .243 SA国际影视传媒� and made the shot to bring down the seven-footer.
Itturiligaq, 22, says he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 practise shooting. His aim has often been true and he chalks it up to remaining calm while tracking his prey.
On another occasion a bear approached him, his dad and his uncle, getting really close, about 12 feet away, he estimates. However, they werenSA国际影视传媒檛 on a hunt for one at the time.
SA国际影视传媒淭he polar bear came to us,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淲e let it go SA国际影视传媒� scared him off (by) shooting at the air.SA国际影视传媒�
Trips out on the land happen fairly regularly, he says.
SA国际影视传媒淓very spring, every summer, even winterSA国际影视传媒� all the seasons.SA国际影视传媒�
Most treks are made by snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle to a cabin located between 200-300 km from Hall Beach. Sometimes Itturiligaq and his relatives stay for a few days, sometimes for a week.
He tends to keep animalsSA国际影视传媒� hides for himself. Antlers and tusks usually go to his dad, who uses them for carvings.
To ensure safety when heading out on the land, Itturiligaq is sure to pack a Coleman stove, knives, his rifle, meals, among other items. He also urges good communication.
SA国际影视传媒淚 always have to know what are they going to do, where are they going to go,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淪afety first.SA国际影视传媒�
