by Isiah Rivers
Shiah Rivers, my second child, took aim at this 3 year old bull before he took the shot. For one year after catching his first ever bull moose he talked about wanting to catch an Ox. Every day of the week it was always, “Dad when are you taking me to shoot Musk Ox?”
The day finally came when tags were going to be drawn at Newtok that I said, we’re going to Newtok. All in smiles he said to me, FINALLY! We were there in Newtok two days in advance and he was #32 out of 44 in line! He chose what tag he wanted and I looked at him and said that it’s your choice.
The day came for him to shoot and he’s all smiles and anxious, but a calm and excited young boy ready to pull that trigger. Never did I see him so confident. I talked to him and questioned him a few times, where are you going to shoot it? He looked at me and told me where.
He is not the first, he is my second boy to catch a musk ox. Isiah, his older brother is the one that really made him want to shoot and catch one this year after catching his first Musk Ox last year. My young little nukalpiaq!
There was a total of 11 people from Scammon that were down there. Just like the people that slept outside the Fish and Game building in Bethel, there were 3 people from here that were down in Newtok 1 week in advance and slept outside the Newtok Tribal building. That speaks to how precious these animals are and we are so thankful and appreciate the hunt that Nelson Island provides to people around the world.
I posted a video on YouTube: Shiah Rivers (10YO) from Scammon Bay Nelson Island Musk Ox Hunt. Feel free to view.
