Mike Shouldice, of Rankin Inlet, has been enjoying some lovely weather in his home community this summer, and he's also been taking note of some changes in the habits of the caribou population.
Shouldice said there's been lots of sunny days to enjoy so far this summer.
The outdoorsman said June was just a wonderful month, July was great and August is off to a good start.
"During that May-June period, there's a lot of southeast winds," said Shouldice. "Those are always cold because they're in off the ice in the big bay. Once the ice went out this summer, we've had as much nice weather as we've had rainy weather.
"We did have some big rain that we don't usually get until August, but, overall, it's been pretty darn good."
Shouldice said during the past few years, the caribou have hit the Diane River and gone north and up-and-around big Meliadine, or somewhere in that area.
Last year, he said you could go north or northwest of Rankin Inlet for quite a distance.
"I think the wolves pushed them (caribou) away because you'd hear wolves or wolf cubs howling," said Shouldice. "I don't know what the deal is this year, but they're just not around.
"People just aren't hanging caribou skins off of their balconies right now. You always see those skins hanging off the railings, but now I don't see that this summer. Something definitely changed in their migration.
"And, there hasn't been a lot of complaints about helicopters either this summer, so there has definitely been changes in the behavioural pattern of the caribou. That's for sure."
