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Trip Report

October 22nd - 26th, 2005

7:30 A.M. – charter flight departs Winnipeg arriving Churchill 10:00 A.M.

Mild temperature of -2° C (28° F), no ice on Hudson Bay & tour group anxious to see polar bears. Tours of Eskimo Museum, Parks Canada Interpretive Centre & Cape Merry on day 1 kept us busy.

Next day Tundra Buggy took group east of Churchill along coast where we soon located several bears. A Highlite repeated often, was much sparring & wrestling by males for extended periods. These displays of brute strength & agility were fascinating to watch, photograph & simply enjoy up close, but in complete safety of the buggy. Two separate sows each with one cub also seen at close range.
 
Other wildlife seen on first buggy day - two snowy owls, gyrfalcon, many ptarmigan, snow buntings & arctic fox.

Following day spent in Churchill enjoying various programs including dog sledding, always a fun & interesting experience.

Second full day on Tundra Buggy brought more unique experiences, including rare view of bear stalking a ring seal. Falling darkness left us wondering about end result,as we departed for town. Various bears also observed this day, including two sows each with two cubs.

We also observed a “bear lift” where tranquilized sow & two cubs flown 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Churchill in nets slung under helicopter & then safely released.  A real thrill for the group.

On the following day guests visited town shops to purchase unique northern items, then catch charter flight to Winnipeg.

Group enthusiasm, excited chatter about bears seen & photographed, as we departed Churchill were indicative of a successful tour.