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Brant Goose – A Goose With Three Names   by Doreen Murgatroyd

Canada’s North is dark, cold and hostile. Very few people live there. There are few roads, swarms of mosquitoes and frequent bad weather so it’ s safe to say the climate is inhospitable. Expect to be surprised by what does live there.

For one, the Brant Goose (branta bernida) breeds here. (It is commonly called Brent Goose and Black Brant as well, though Brant Goose was the original and the most widely accepted name). Only two snow-free months of the year are suitable for this, and within this time, it lays and hatches eggs, raises the young and takes off to winter either further south or to fly the 8000 miles across the Atlantic to places like Jersey’s coast. That’s some journey and it needs to be in good shape to complete it.

It’s main breeding areas are the lower Arctic regions of the Yukon-Kushokwim Delta, Mackenzie Delta, Victoria Island and Melville, Prince Patric and Eglington Islands. Melville islands flock are thought to be distinctive. If they are then their numbers are quite small, around 6000.

It has to sustain itself for this flight and it is really only partial to certain types of food. These are in particular eel-grass and to a lesser extent, algae and herring eggs. This turns out to be one of the reasons for its decline. It really does need to change its palate! Eel-grass is not found everywhere. It is a blooming underwater grass in shallow sub-tidal areas, which spreads by roots or rhiazomes, and it is a little factory for a variety of feasters.

Brant Geese and Eel-grass are entwined. Industrialization kills off eel-grass so it’s important to get the balance right between human progress and the natural environment.

The Brant Goose resembles the smaller, shorter-necked forms of the Canada Goose but it is much darker without white cheeks. It breeds farther north than any other known goose. The eggs and downy young are preyed upon by crows, gulls, mink and a variety of other small animals including bullfrogs, pike and carp. But it is man who preys upon the adult goose.

Geese are tasty to eat. They provide goose fat, considered by some to be one of the highest class fats of all. Their belly feathers provide down for duvets and pillows and then there is foie gras, a goose pate made from force feeding the geese. Goose confit is also a food speciality, having a strong following in France. Originally it was a method used to preserve the meat when no refrigerators existed. The leg meat is seasoned and herbs are added. It is then deep fried slowly in its own rendered fat. When cooking is complete the dish cools down and the fat solidifies around the leg thereby preserving it. There is evidence that geese have long been domesticated though it is not likely that the Brant Goose, because of it’s Arctic breeding environment, ever fell into this category.

Additionally, hunting geese was a popular water sport. Using decoys and mimicking their honking noise attracted geese flying in the area to investigate closer, often to the detriment of one or other of the flock. Even digging pits, camouflaging them and setting out fifteen or sixteen decoys on the ground above the pit, making everything look as real as possible, proved a successful way to lure them in, ready for the kill. There is a school of thought that the more decoys you have, the more likely you are to attract geese to settle among the decoys.

It is only legal to hunt Brant geese today if you have a licence by DEFRA which in turn is only awarded when it can be proved that the goose is damaging crops. They will remain a protected species until their numbers return to sustainable levels.

The following boats are especially suited to hunting or fishing:

Sevylor Fish Hunter Inflatable Boats. This is designed specifically for fishermen.

The Challenger Boat Kit by Intex – 3 Person. At present it is on special offer.

Nu Canoe also do a series of 10′ and 12′ boats in various colors, suited to a variety of purposes of which hunting is one.

Factual information in this article was researched mainly from Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia.

To view the above boats click on:

http://www.the-boating-store.com

About the Author

A retired high school teacher of geography and maths. Find free comparisons of over 35 brand name kayaks and other similar information on the website – completely no obligation.
Also find free small boat plans and instructions.

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The 10 Best America’s Campgrounds   by Neelima Reddy

As the summer starts, RV campers hit the road for the first camping trip of the season for many people and families. But, this year that holiday weekend and summer kickoff is met with expenses and gas prices making heads spin.

Therefore, many of them are exploring the camping spots close to home and using the gear they’ve got (tents, sleeping bags, or maybe a camper) for the most fun they’ve had in a long time.

But, there are thousands of campgrounds around the country, many of these in national and state parks and forests.

Privately run camps, such as those in the KOA system (“Kampgrounds of America”), charge some fees, and a number of public lands require permits of various kinds. But if you take a do-it-yourself approach to everything else, you can manage to pull off some adventure on a sensible budget, with a little planning.

Here are 10 best campgrounds in America according to Forbes.

1. Sterling Highway, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

The Kenai Peninsula’s Sterling Highway runs through a major chunk of Alaska’s gorgeous southern-coast scenery. There are numerous places to stop and camp along the Highway, from Sterling Junction to the very end at Homer Spit, whether you just want to pitch a tent or park an RV.

Along the way, you’ll have chances to spot moose, eagles and bears. And in the summer, you’re smack dab in the middle of the biggest salmon-fishing party in the world, when the wildlife extends to the numerous good-time taverns and road joints in various towns along the highway.

Chill out at Centennial Park in Soldotna, which is roughly halfway. Carry the salmon-fishing gear with you, and book ahead for some halibut fishing out of Homer.

2. Roan Mountain

In the East, some of the greatest Appalachian Trail scenes are available to those hikers who climb and camp on Roan Mountain, known for incredible views of rhododendron-covered hillsides and spruce groves.

Roan Mountain shelters a rich diversity of life, from spruce-fir forests to vast grassy balds.

Access is through Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, or Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. Moving south from Carver’s Gap to the Roan High Knob takes hikers through some of the thicker spruce on Roan.

Look for rhododendron gardens a short distance off the main trail on High Knob, along gravel paths. After some steep climbs, those who want to pitch a tent off the trail can do so, but be careful of sensitive areas.

3. San Gorgonio Wilderness Area

Those campers in the West who are willing to do a little hill climbing for the sake of a great eco-adventure should look to the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area in the San Bernardino National Forest.

The San Bernardino Mountains aren’t your typical desert range. For one, they are well watered and forested. They are also extremely high, rising like a fortress and walling in the eastern edge of the Los Angeles Basin. San Gorgonio is popular with back-packers and climbers seeking incredible views of the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles.

4. Cotter Trout Dock

Looking for some terrific Arkansas trout fishing? Looking for a whole lot of fun, a real getaway, and relaxation all at the same time? Cotter Trout Dock specializes in just those very things.

A cool destination around Lake of the Ozarks is the Cotter Trout Dock fishing camp on Smith Island, at the confluence of the White and Buffalo rivers.

You can treat yourself to a day (or several) of fishing, fun and relaxation.

5. Seawall Campground

In Maine you never run out of outdoors amusing stuff. Coming to this campground is always a great idea. Seawall Campground sits at the southern end of the island, so it often sees less of a crowd than the campsites near Bar Harbor.

Seawall Campground is right by the Harbor Trail, and you absolutely ought to stop at Lamoine State Park since you’re here. So much cool stuff in the vicinity of Seawall Campground, and it’s always fun to be here.

Near Seawall Campground you stumble on splendid places like Long Ledge; do take a hike on the Wonderland Trail.

6. Kirk Creek Campground

To pitch a tent in ocean breezes, your best bet for scenic coastal camping on the West Coast is Kirk Creek Campground in the northern section of California’s Los Padres National Forest.

It’s situated on a bluff 30 miles south of Big Sur, and trails from the campground lead down to the rocky beach.

The best way to discover the wonders of Big Sur is to stay awhile. An excellent way is provided by the Los Padres National Forest at Kirk Creek Campground. For campers, either in a tent or recreational vehicle, who want to experience both land and sea, Kirk Creek is the best campground on the Big Sur.

7. Brickhill Bluff, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga.

Feeling shipwrecked never felt so good on this Spanish-moss-strewn island where you can kayak, swim, fish, watch for dolphins, sea turtles, and wild horses, and then camp in one of three wilderness areas or two main campsites.

The mosquitoes can get thick in wet periods, so be prepared. The only way to get to the island is by ferry, which departs from the park visitor center in St. Marys, Ga., not far off Route 95 (exit 3, about half an hour south of Savannah).

8. Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Ky.

If you err on the side of a pretty loose definition of “camping,” Barren River Resort might be just the thing for you. Maybe “camping” means a cottage on a lake and a little tennis every afternoon. Or it means an improved site for a trailer camper and a couple rounds of golf.

You can do that here, plus fishing, boating, lake swimming, cave exploring, riding, and just about any organized outdoor group sport. The main lodge has 51 rooms for those whose relationship with nature involves an actual bed and bath.

9. Dispersed Sites, Colorado State Forest, Colo.

While there are four areas of developed campsites in the Colorado State Forest, the 60-odd first-come, first-serve “dispersed” sites scattered around the County Road 41 and the Bockman, Montgomery Pass and Ruby Jewel road areas provide some of the best seclusion and allow for spur-of-the-moment access to adventure.

Backcountry camping is allowed in many places in the forest, especially around a number of alpine lakes. Located northeast of Estes Park, this is the place to turn to for a whole host of wildlife-elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bear, moose, porcupines, eagles and bobcats. Take your fly rod for the trout and grayling.

10. Juniper Woods Campgrounds, Catskills, N.Y.

How free do you want to be in the outdoors? Juniper Woods lets you go all the way, with its clothing optional/nudist campground (50 campsites total, and filling up fast), right in the storied Catskills region of New York.

Natural beauty is abundant here from the wooded rolling hills to the open meadows perfect for sunning and relaxing. Set your mind and body free and wrap yourself in nature’s magnificence.

So shed that uptight ‘tude, get rid of the polo shirts and skinny jeans, and live like Adam and Eve before the apple incident. But don’t expect some kind of Bacchanalia-this is a mellow, family-oriented place that doesn’t put up with weirdos, shenanigans, or cell-phone cameras (you’ll get tossed out on your bare bottom if you try).

Campers enjoy barbeque’s, parties and karaoke nights. The first-time visitor day fee is waived for those who want to spend an afternoon getting to know the camp.
Check out these top Canadian camping destinations

About the Author

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for CampingTourist.com. For more information on back packing, camping spots, camping activites, camping equipment, camping gear, rv camping, camping tips, hiking Visit Camping Tourist

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