When the ice thaws in Northwestern Ontario, the geese come
back from their southern homes and return to the lakes and rivers of the north.
For hunters, seeing flocks (properly, a gaggle or a skein) of geese means it’s
time to don the camouflage. For me, it also means that I have to shape-shift my
mind and think like a goose.
The National Audubon Society has a pocket guide to familiar
birds of lakes and rivers. It states that “Because of their size and relative
tameness, these geese are ideal subjects for making observations on bird
behavior....” I don’t totally agree with that statement, otherwise, why would
hunters need hunting blinds?(If you’re unfamiliar, a hunting blind is a hiding
spot, usually made with branches and camouflage netting that you wait in until
the geese (or ducks) are within shooting range). The geese I was hunting were
far more wary of human presence than “city geese” and flew away the moment they
felt something out of place.
Where I was hunting was quite far from any town, up an old
logging road and down a skidoo trail that went across a long lake to a bend in
a river that fed into the lake. It was one of the few places where water wasn’t
frozen; but the weather was nice and the wind was coming from the south. I
believe it helped the geese migrate, and I actually got tanned!
For harvesting waterfowl, shotguns are generally the
preferred tool, and they come in different gauges. The most common are probably
12- and 10-guage shotguns. The 34th Edition of the Gun Trader’s Guide has specifications and prices on thousands of types of guns, including
various shotguns. Styles include pump-action, over-under, double-barrel and
auto-loaders. What ammunition you use is important as well, as different
shotgun shells have different ranges and power. I’m still just learning the
differences in all these, and any success I have is currently through
trial-and-error. Truthfully, far more geese escape my skills than fall prey to
them.
For me, hunting is more than point and shoot. When I’m out
there, I feel connected to the land. Even struggling to get a skidoo out of the
snow becomes not just a struggle, but an effort to “do without doing,” to steal
a Taoist idea. It doesn’t matter that I’m cold, wet, hungry, tired and far from
home, I’m simply living “in the moment” and every sense is heightened. To me,
the forest is the real world, and our cities are just temporary shelters. Each
time I hunt and return to town, I have a far greater appreciation for community
and co-operation; because otherwise, virtually none of us would have a chance
of survival.
Hunting and being out in the wilderness is also about
appreciation of all living things. Watching how animals behave and communicate
is a thrill for me. For instance, in the book The Canada Goose by Kit Howard
Breen, the author states that “Canada Geese form a lifelong pair bond once they
have mated.” By being out on the water, I was able to witness this first hand.
The line between human and animal becomes increasingly blurred when scientists
say that many animals (especially birds!) are sentient, and when animals like
geese show their loyalty, and I dare say “caring compassion” for one another
when one is wounded.
I’m not a great hunter, but I do have a great time hunting.
Miigwetch!
Chris Waite
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