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