| Canada’s North is dark, cold and hostile. | | | | seasoned and herbs are added. It is then deep |
| Very few people live there. There are few | | | | fried slowly in its own rendered fat. When |
| roads, swarms of mosquitoes and frequent bad | | | | cooking is complete the dish cools down and the |
| weather so it’ s safe to say the climate is | | | | fat solidifies around the leg thereby preserving it. |
| inhospitable. Expect to be surprised by what | | | | There is evidence that geese have long been |
| does live there. | | | | domesticated though it is not likely that the Brant |
| | | | | Goose, because of it’s Arctic breeding |
| For one, the Brant Goose (branta bernida) breeds | | | | environment, ever fell into this category. |
| here. (It is commonly called by all three of the | | | | |
| names in the title, though Brant Goose was the | | | | Additionally, hunting geese was a popular water |
| original and the most widely accepted name). Only | | | | sport. Using decoys and mimicking their honking |
| two snow-free months of the year are suitable | | | | noise attracted geese flying in the area to |
| for this, and within this time, it lays and hatches | | | | investigate closer, often to the detriment of one |
| eggs, raises the young and takes off to winter | | | | or other of the flock. Even digging pits, |
| either further south or to fly the 8000 miles | | | | camouflaging them and setting out fifteen or |
| across the Atlantic to places like Jersey’s | | | | sixteen decoys on the ground above the pit, |
| coast. That’s some journey and it needs to | | | | making everything look as real as possible, proved |
| be in good shape to complete it. | | | | a successful way to lure them in, ready for the |
| | | | | kill. There is a school of thought that the more |
| It’s main breeding areas are the lower Arctic | | | | decoys you have, the more likely you are to |
| regions of the Yukon-Kushokwim Delta, Mackenzie | | | | attract geese to settle among the decoys. |
| Delta, Victoria Island and Melville, Prince Patric and | | | | |
| Eglington Islands. Melville islands flock are thought | | | | It is only legal to hunt Brant geese today if you |
| to be distinctive. If they are then their numbers | | | | have a licence by DEFRA which in turn is only |
| are quite small, around 6000. | | | | awarded when it can be proved that the goose is |
| | | | | damaging crops. They will remain a protected |
| It has to sustain itself for this flight and it is really | | | | species until their numbers return to sustainable |
| only partial to certain types of food. These are | | | | levels. |
| in particular eel-grass and to a lesser extent, algae | | | | |
| and herring eggs. This turns out to be one of | | | | The following boats are especially suited to hunting |
| the reasons for its decline. It really does need to | | | | or fishing: |
| change its palate! Eel-grass is not found | | | | |
| everywhere. It is a blooming underwater grass | | | | Sevylor Fish Hunter Inflatable Boats. Model HF280, |
| in shallow sub-tidal areas, which spreads by roots | | | | Length 92?, Beam 46? Wt 30 lbs., Max.Cap 700 |
| or rhiazomes, and it is a little factory for a variety | | | | lbs. This is designed specifically for fishermen. It |
| of feasters. | | | | accepts a 3 hp gas motor at the stern and |
| | | | | Sevylors 12 volt motor at the bow or stern. It |
| Brant Geese and Eel-grass are entwined. | | | | features two fishing rod holders, small gear bag, a |
| Industrialization kills off eel-grass so it’s | | | | battery pouch, plenty of grablines, and 4 drain |
| important to get the balance right between | | | | plugs. It comes complete with Boston safety |
| human progress and the natural environment. | | | | valves, swivel oarlocks, chafing pads, and two |
| | | | | inflatable seats. Priced at $159.99. Oars and |
| The Brant Goose resembles the smaller, | | | | motor sold separately. |
| shorter-necked forms of the Canada Goose but it | | | | |
| is much darker without white cheeks. It breeds | | | | The Challenger Boat Kit by Intex - 3 Person. It |
| farther north than any other known goose. The | | | | has 2 air chambers for safety, an all-around grab |
| eggs and downy young are preyed upon by | | | | line and grab handle on bow. It has an inflatable |
| crows, gulls, mink and a variety of other small | | | | floor for comfort and rigidity. Welded oar locks, |
| animals including bullfrogs, pike and carp. But it is | | | | oar holder, 2 inflatable seat cushions and US Coast |
| man who preys upon the adult goose. | | | | Guard I.D. It includes 2 x 48? aluminium oars and |
| | | | | High Output Hand Pump plus other features. At |
| Geese are tasty to eat. They provide goose | | | | present it is just over half price at $71.62 |
| fat, considered by some to be one of the highest | | | | |
| class fats of all. Their belly feathers provide | | | | Nu Canoe also do a series of 10? and 12? boats in |
| down for duvets and pillows and then there is foie | | | | various colors, suited to a variety of purposes of |
| gras, a goose pate made from force feeding the | | | | which hunting is one. |
| geese. Goose confit is also a food speciality, | | | | |
| having a strong following in France. Originally it | | | | Factual information in this article was researched |
| was a method used to preserve the meat when | | | | mainly from Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia. |
| no refrigerators existed. The leg meat is | | | | |