IKAAHUK/SACHS HARBOUR
Trevor Lucas knows the land. The 33-year-old Sachs Harbour resident, who has spent more than two decades hunting and trapping, said memorizing landmarks is one of the most important skills a hunter needs to learn.
Sachs Harbour resident Trevor Lucas poses with a wolf he caught outside the community. Lucas, an avid hunter, often shares with community members. - photo courtesy of Trevor Lucas |
"One thing my father taught me is always remember the landmarks," Lucas said. "Sometimes we have whiteout weather and fog. It's a good thing to remember the landmarks when you go hunting."
In a land without trees, creeks, hills and rocks help hunters navigate and keep them from getting lost.
Lucas said his father, John Lucas Sr., taught him everything he knows.
"He taught me about the land and landmarks and how to butcher and prepare wild game meat," Lucas said.
Lucas said he traps fox and hunts polar bear, muskox and wolves.
"A little bit of everything," he said.
Wolf hunting requires good tracking skills.
"We track them and try to get as close as possible," Lucas said.
He said people in town put the wolf pelts he catches to good use.
"Some people use them for traditional clothing like making mittens and shoes and they use them for the ruffs for parkas," he said.
Lucas also spends time fishing and hunting caribou and often gives meat and fish away to elders and other community members. He said he enjoys being able to provide country food to his friends and neighbours.
"I think it's an important thing to do because not that many people go hunting nowadays, most of the people have jobs and can't leave work," he said. "Me, I'm pretty lucky. I have free time on my hands. I like to travel around to different parts of the island, too."
Lucas said he loves spending time on the land, but he also knows how to take care of himself.
"It's usually good to remember to carry a firearm. Some of the wild animals, they've never seen people before and they can be pretty brave," he said. "Always have a good look around and keep an eye on things when you're out hunting."
Lucas said keeping an eye on things helped him to catch a rare animal this year - a wolverine. The animals are an unusual visitor to the area.
"That was really exciting and different to see," he said. "It was growling at me so I'll never forget that."
Lucas said his advice to new hunters is the same as what his father told him.
"They have to know how to dress for cold weather and try to learn the landmarks and to remember them," he said.
