Colville Lake (Nov 08/04) - As sure as the arrival of winter ice and snow, is the annual migration of generations of caribou across the territories.

And patiently awaiting their return are the many hunters who carefully track the animals' movements throughout the barrenlands of the Sahtu region and beyond.

Wilbert Kochon, a hunter from Colville Lake, said the annual September hunting event at Horton Lake, about 90 miles away from the hamlet, saw hunters fly to the barrenland area where the Bluenose caribou pass through each year.

"There were about 20 hunters with their families," Kochon said.

"The kids go out there with their parents and learn how to properly shoot and skin the caribou."

About 30 animals were caught, an average year for the hunters. "It was just enough," he said.

"They can get as many as they want, but they have to bring them back on the plane."

Last week the caribou were expected to arrive in the more immediate Colville Lake area, Kochon said.

Those who regularly travel on the land watch carefully the patterns of caribou migration, then spread the word to the rest of the community.

"They're on their way back, southwest from the barrenland. They're coming right to Colville Lake.

"It's their turn to come and visit us," he laughed.

This time, hunters will hop on their snowmobiles and go out on the land to get food for their families.

They will travel across hilly terrain, sparse with trees, in search of food. He said this year's herd looks "good and healthy."

On occasion, hunters from Fort Good Hope will accompany them, he added.

Further south in Norman Wells, Keith Hickling, manager of fish and wildlife for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED), said people in his area will be hunting Dahl sheep and moose for their winter food supplies instead of caribou.

"We don't often hunt caribou and we don't fish," Hickling said.

The plentiful Dahl sheep population averages from 12,000 to 26,000, he noted, adding that one sheep yields between 60 and 70 lb of meat.

As for the moose, the hunt peaks in September and runs until November or December, he said.

The area around the Mackenzie River is a good place to find moose and the Tulita hunters take full advantage of the hunting season.

"Most people are busy in Tulita taking time away for the fall moose hunt. There's a good population," Hickling said.

Area trappers are also preparing to go out on the land.

"It should be a good year. The prices should remain consistently high," he said of the different types of animals - marten, foxes and wolves - which are trapped each year for their pelts.

At this time of year in the Sahtu, one can see many different kinds of wildlife.

"We've had a cougar sighting, which is very rare, and we've even spotted white-tailed deer and magpies," he noted, suggesting that an overall warming trend in the North over the last 10 years might be the cause.