Tips for Preparing, Cooking Ducks and Geese
'Just Get'em Out of the Freezer'
Ice-fishing with friends recently on a lake near Winnipeg, Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson deep-fried four rice-fattened California mallards in peanut oil, a dark-meat snack to keep Old Man Winter from nipping at their extremities.
The plucked birds were rubbed in spices, injected with marinate and cooked to medium-rare perfection.
"They were wicked good," said Olson, laughing, noting they ate the ducks off a piece of plywood with their bare hands. "The meat was moist and, frankly, I can't remember duck tasting so good. The preparation was super easy too."
Like many hunters this time of year, Olson has some ducks and geese in the freezer poised for the pot. He encourages other waterfowlers to prepare their birds and share them with family and friends. And don't worry, he said, if you're inexperienced in the kitchen.
U.S. House Passes E-Duck Stamp Bill
Delta Waterfowl has long encouraged the nation's waterfowl hunters to purchase two federal duck stamps to increase funding for duck and goose habitat, and a new bill could make such purchases that much easier.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a measure that, if approved by the U.S. Senate, would allow waterfowlers and others to purchase federal duck stamps online in all 50 states.
New National Survey to Shed Light on U.S. Waterfowler Participation
In November, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will release its newest national survey, with preliminary estimates available by the end of June. The survey is conducted every five years and is designed to provide data on hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related recreational activities.
"It would be foolish to speculate in detail on the survey before it's released, but I would be surprised if the trends in waterfowl participation have changed all that much," said Devney. "Regardless of the results, Delta will continue to expand the reach of our mentored hunting program by utilizing our members, our volunteers and like-minded groups, as well as work with our chapters on access impediments or any other issue that affects waterfowl hunting and our heritage."
Canadian Waterfowler Numbers Highest Since 2001
In an era of declining participation, Canadian waterfowl-hunter numbers have increased to their highest level since 2001, according to the Canadian Wildlife Service. In 2010, 152,678 resident waterfowl permits were sold, the largest number since 2001, when Canadian waterfowlers purchased 158,111 permits.
"It's a sense of relief and pride for me," said Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson. "The uptick in numbers has been modest, but it's my hope is that we've bottomed out and now start to build."
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