Cambrige Bay hunter dies from undetermined causes
Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 20/00) - A Cambrige Bay man died early Monday morning after he was apparently kicked by a caribou.
Sam Anoyoak headed out on a hunting trip near Water Lake Sunday morning. When he failed to return early that evening Search and Rescue crews were sent out to search for him.
Cambridge Bay Mayor Keith Peterson said Anoyoak was found about two or three kilometres outside of the town. He was transported to the nursing station and pronounced dead at approximately 1 a.m. Monday.
The mayor said the cause of Anoyoak's death has not been released, but Peterson believes he was killed after being kicked by a caribou.
"We don't know the official story yet, but he was out caribou hunting, he shot two or three caribou, he was cleaning them and something happened."
He said although Anoyoak wasn't too far from town, hunting alone is very dangerous this time of year.
"When you go out hunting up here it's a very unforgiving country.
"I've lived here 30 years myself and I wouldn't think about going out there alone."
Peterson visited Anoyoak's family home Monday where elders and members of the Anglican church offered their condolences to his wife Annie.
The victim, estimated to be in his mid-50s, worked as a heavy equipment operator at KitNuna.
"It's very sad for everybody ... everyone was looking forward to Christmas and then this happened.
"He was one of the good guys in town, very well-liked and well-respected," Peterson said.
