Arctic Bay (Dec 15/03) - At 20-years-old, Adrian Arnauyumayuq has been hunting since he was 14. Last month, he killed his first polar bear.

"I killed it with one shot. I was using a 2.20 rifle. I was over 100 feet away and it only took one bullet," he says.

Adrian Arnauyumayuq is still celebrating his latest hunting trip. Two weeks ago he caught his first polar bear. - Photo courtesy of Ron Elliot

News/North: Congratulations. What was it like to finally catch a polar bear?

Adrian Arnauyumayuq: It was very exciting. I could hardly believe it. I've been waiting a long time to catch my first polar bear.

N/N: How long have you been hunting?

AA: I've been going out with my grandpa since I was 14 or 15. He started teaching me how to hunt and shoot when I was about 5 or 6. I'm turning 21 this month.

N/N: So this was like an early birthday present?

AA: Yeah. It was a great gift.

N/N: Tell me about the hunt. What was it like?

AA: It was great. There's nothing like being out there. We had a lot of fun.

About two weeks ago I was out with my grandpa looking for a polar bear. We weren't very far from town when we first saw him. He was so big. It was over 10 feet long. It was like he was waiting for us. He tried to go underwater though a seal hole, but we got to him first.

N/N: So it wasn't a very long hunt?

AA: No. We were only out there for about six hours. We were back in time for supper.

N/N: How many shots did it take to bring the animal down?

AA: I killed it with one shot. I was using a 2.20 rifle. I was over 100 feet away and it only took one bullet.

When I hit it I didn't say much, I was too excited. My grandpa was really proud of me and happy that I caught it. When we brought it back my grandma was also really happy.

N/N: Do you go out hunting a lot?

AA: I try to go out as much as possible. When I'm not carving I usually go out with my grandpa. I hunt just about everything. I've caught caribou, seal, geese. I've hunted narwhals. I've even killed a muskox.

N/N: So a polar bear was next on your list?

AA: Yeah. We've gone out looking, but we've never been this lucky. I think it was quite an accomplishment.

N/N: Can you go and hunt another polar bear?

AA: No. All the tags have been used up. We only received four tags this year and they were gone really fast. We now have to wait until next year.

N/N: What do you plan to do with the skin? Are you going to keep it?

AA: I want to sell it. I've been told I could get about $1,500 for the skin.