Four military aircraft have been dispatched to try to rescue two hunters stranded along the west shore of Hudson Bay.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre at CFB Trenton in Ontario says a man in his 50s and a 16-year-old boy, believed to be his son, are stuck on the ice about 10 kilometres east of Arviat, Nunavut.

They left the community on a snowmobile Tuesday to go seal hunting, but didn't return.

A rescue official says a C-130 Hercules airplane from CFB Winnipeg has spotted the hunters, who are believed to be in good condition despite extremely cold weather.

Local volunteers haven't been able to get to them by boat because of the frigid conditions.

A C-130 Hercules from Trenton has also left for the area and two helicopters from military bases in Nova Scotia and Alberta are also expected to depart for Arviat.

(CJOJ)