Searchers found the body of Brent Iootna, 36, about 12 kilometres southeast of the hamlet.

The hunter still had fuel, some food, a sleeping bag and a caribou parka when he was found.

The coroner has determined Iootna succumbed to exposure.

Iootna left Arviat during the afternoon hours of Jan. 24 on a hunting trip with his dog team and Basil Kayavinik.

Three of the five dogs were still alive when found by ground searchers.

The search began Jan. 26, when Kayavinik returned to the hamlet and reported he and Iootna had been separated.

Two search-and-rescue members, John Tugak and James Kigusiutnaaq, also spent a day on the land when they were engulfed in blizzard conditions.

The two men were well-equipped with survival gear and waited out the storm in an iglu and tarpaulin tent.

A total of 30 people were involved in the search, including Canadian Rangers.

The bad weather conditions prevented the RCMP's Pilatus aircraft from joining the search.

Cpl. Bill Mooney of the Arviat detachment of the RCMP says the efforts of the those involved with the search were second to none.

"The searchers were very professional, knowledgeable, dedicated and well supervised," says Mooney.

Iootna was a dog musher and was well liked in the community.

Mooney says the community is deeply saddened by Iootna's death.

"He was a really nice guy, so, of course, there's a lot of sadness right now.

"But, I think, the community is also thankful for ground search-and-rescue efforts in braving very difficult, harsh conditions to locate the body and bring closure to the search."