IGLULIK - It's a happy ending for the Kunuk family of Iglulik after Enoki Kunuk, 81, was found safe, 28 days after leaving the community to hunt.

"He looked tired and like he had lost some weight, but he was in a good mood," Kunuk's son Eli said. Enoki was taken to hospital, but was home on Friday, and awake early.

Kunuk left Iglulik June 1 to hunt caribou. The search for the hunter began a week later, June 8, when he failed to return.

On June 27, the second search and rescue flight of the day was heading back to Iglulik when they decided to fly over a popular fishing spot in Gifford Fiord, about 110 km from Iglulik.

Kunuk's oldest son, who was a spotter on the flight, saw his father's kamotik and snowmobile stuck in slush below. Beside it was an arrow constructed from wood, pointing to the beach.

The rescue crew spotted Kunuk's dome tent from the air, and circled overhead. Kunuk waved a foam mattress from the ground, letting the rescue crew know he was okay. They dropped a package of food and a message that a helicopter would soon arrive. Unfortunately, the package fell behind a hill. Being too tired to search for it, Kunuk didn't get it.

The plane returned to the community and at 10:30 p.m. a helicopter took off with a nurse on board. By the time the helicopter returned to Iglulik with Kunuk at 1 a.m. Thursday, community members had gathered on the dock. Cheers went up when Kunuk emerged and some were crying, said Kunuk's grandson Jayson Kunuk.

After setting out to hunt, Kunuk's kamotik got stuck in slush while crossing over a small river. The kamotik along with the snowmobile remained stuck, as the ice melted and the water started to rise.

The initial search involved a military Hercules and one other aircraft, and ground searchers from the community. The Hercules was only able to search a small part of the area due to poor weather. When the military left the search, the territorial government chartered a Twin Otter out of Rankin Inlet and search and rescue team members from Iqaluit and Rankin travelled to Iglulik to help.

"He saw the Hercules flight, but it was turning in a different direction, so they didn't spot him," Eli Kunuk said. "He said he heard a snowmobile that came very close to him."

It was one of the searchers from Iglulik and Kunuk who found the tracks just over a hill from where he had been.

Kunuk walked for days to get to what he knew was a popular fishing spot that is visited by many in the community at this time of year.

"I guess he was going to be found anyways," Eli said.

Kunuk is familiar with the land and was able to catch six fish and two ptarmigans.

The family said the good news will no doubt boost the spirits of Enoki's wife, who is in Ottawa for surgery.

News of Kunuk's rescue also prompted calls from surrounding communities.

"There were quite a few from out of town who called on the local radio, saying they were very pleased to hear the good news," Jayson Kunnuk said.