First Day of Scouting 2018

As a new hunter, finding new areas to hunt can be a real challenge.  I usually start with google earth and the BC Backroad Mapbooks.  Once I have a plan about where to go, I tell someone where I am headed and then set out as early as I can bring myself to get up and stay out until dark, driving the back roads and looking for mountains to hike.  I record whenever I see animal sign.  Overall, I saw 2 black bears, 14 deer, 1 ruffed grouse, and 1 marmot on my first day out this year.

Last Monday (Victoria Day) was the first day that I managed to get out for some scouting.

 I always bring a heap of gear in case I get stuck of have to spend the night.  I have a few days of food and all my minimum gear for safety in the back country, even when I am sticking to the logging roads mostly.  I have a great device called a Delorme inReach, which is a satellite text message device which also connects via Bluetooth to your phone to let you text via satellite. 

 Everything gets piled into the Truck and off I go.  I managed to hit the road by 6:30 AM.

 I always fuel up in Hope and bring a few extra Jerry cans. 

 Moose sign.

Whenever I find sign I record it on my GPS or on the Hunt Buddy BC app on my phone. It is available for Android and iPhone

Hunt Buddy icon

I use hunt buddy mostly to record sign so I can later transfer the info to Google Maps.

A window mount is a great way to glass as you explore.

 More moose sign.

Black bear sign.

 

 Moose sign.

 I followed the moose sign for a while.

 

 This is the first of two black bear that I saw.  The second was larger.  I have a black bear tag and had my rifle with me, but I decided not to take my first bear even though it was legal.  I very much want to try bear meat.  I have heard a lot of mixed reviews, but from all of my trusted sources, they all say it is quite good, especially in sausage and smoked hams.  Also, when I do take my first bear, I want to ensure I use the fat for baking lard and the hide for a rug.  I had a business trip planned this week and that meant that I would be out of town for 3 weeks.  It was hard enough for me to managed to find time get a day out to go scouting.  With trip prep and and other generally being busy with life, I decided that I wouldn't have had the time I wanted to process the meat, prepare and bring the hide to the taxidermist, and generally deal with my first bear the way I want to.  Therefore, I decided it was not time to take the shot.

BC Government News: Have your say on wildlife management, habitat conservation

 https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018FLNR0128-000969

The Government of British Columbia is starting a discussion on improving wildlife management and habitat conservation, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has announced.

“The diversity of wildlife in British Columbia is one of our province’s greatest treasures,” said Donaldson. “Working with Indigenous peoples, wildlife stakeholders and the public, we want to build a strategy that more effectively manages our wildlife for future generations. We’ve dedicated $14 million over three years to do so.”

The province's unique landscapes and climate is home to one of the richest wildlife resources in North America. Three-quarters of Canada's mammal species are found in B.C., with 24 of those species exclusive to B.C. In recent decades, alteration of habitat due to expanded human populations, expanded natural resource development and impacts from climate change have placed increasing pressure on certain wildlife populations, some of which are now in decline.

As part of the government’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, collaboration with Indigenous peoples is an integral part of developing a new provincial wildlife strategy.

The discussion paper, Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation in British Columbia, poses eight questions for discussion. Engagement is the first step in a four-step process to develop the strategy:

1. Hold online engagement and face-to-face sessions with Indigenous communities and key stakeholders.
2. Develop policy options to address priority concerns emerging from the engagement.
3. Release a policy intentions paper for public engagement.
4. Implement a new wildlife management and conservation strategy in 2020.

The comment period will end on July 31, 2018. The public is invited to provide input by visiting: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/wildlifeandhabitat

BC Habitat and Wildlife Reports

I just found this useful link where many of the reports which have been prepared for the government over the last number of years can be found.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/index.html#wildlife-allocations

Spicy Breaded Rainbow Trout

I caught this rainbow trout near Vanderhoof BC.  This is one of my favourite ways to make trout.

Ingredients
-1 Rainbow Trout
-1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
-1/3 Cup of Grainy Mustard
-1/2 Cup of Seasoned Breadcrumbs
-1 Tbsp. Red Pepper Flakes
-Salt
-Olive  Oil

Steps

1) Filet and debone. Use cooking tweezers or clean needle nose pliers to remove the pin bones.

2) Remove skin.

3) Portion into 6 equal weight pieces. 

3) Combine mustard and lemon juice in a bowl.  Mix together.
4) Combine seasoned bread crumbs and red pepper flakes on a plate and season to taste with salt.  Mix together.

 

5) Put the trout into the lemon and mustard mixture. 

6) Heat olive oil in a pan on medium high heat.

7) When olive oil just begins to slightly smoke, bread the trout evenly and place in the pan.  Do not overcrowd the pan.  

8) Adjust heat to ensure the trout does not burn.  If the pan is smoking after trout is added, reduce heat slightly. It only takes a few minutes per side.  Check regularly. Cook until golden brown on the under side and then flip.

9) Cook until the second side is golden brown and then serve.

 10) Enjoy!

Kickass Burgers

This is my favourite way to make burgers.  It works well with venison and moose.  I would love to try it with other game one day.

Ingredients:
-2 lbs venison or moose
-2 eggs
-1 onion (If you don't like onion, you may want to use less, but the onion gives it a lot of the moisture)
-2 tablespoons of minced garlic
-2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce

Seasoning:
-salt
-pepper
-herb de provence
-seasoned breadcrumbs

I like to use a burger press and parchment paper to so that it doesn't stick

 

Add all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Season as you would a steak with salt, pepper, herb de provence.

Mix by hand and thoroughly combine ingredients.

If the mixture seems wet, add small amounts of breadcrumbs to absorb moisture until the mixture is dry enough to press into patties.

Using a burger press or by hand form patties.
The nice thing about using parchment paper is that it helps reduce mess and also allows for the patties to be frozen in stacks and easily separated even while frozen. 

This time, I decided to cook half the batch and freeze the other half.  It's great for when friends drop by unexpectedly or you need to toss something together for a quick meal.  These patties cook well even from frozen.

 Cook and serve with your favourite burger toppings. Enjoy!

EatWild

I've met Dylan, a few times at some conservation events and have really grown to appreciate his take on hunting and conservation.  He is someone who truly upholds the ideals of the hunter conservationist for the 21st century.

If you are thinking about getting your firearms license, hunting license, or learning to hunt, butcher, or make sausages then your should go right now to http://www.eatwild.ca/

There are lots of great How-To videos and posts on his website covering everything from how to choose a firearm for hunting in BC, shot placement, and field dressing.  I've learned a lot from watching them and they really give you a good resource to keep your skills sharp.  There is also the EatWild podcast with interesting content to listen to (But only so-so audio LOL!!!).

EatWild is also another very "Vancouver" take on hunting, which is great to see. There is a strong effort to widen the appeal of hunting to help make it equally accessible to women and a broader ethnic landscape.  If wildlife and habitat are going to get the attention they deserve from the provincial and federal governments then we need more people like Dylan and organizations like EatWild making hunting appealing to the young, urban, foodie, craft beer demographic to help diminish the incorrect perception that there is a rural/urban divide on issues related to conservation, hunting, wildlife and habitat.  

I wish I had known about EatWild when I first got into hunting.  Dylan has built a very inclusive and supportive community of new and experienced hunters at EatWild.  He hosts dinner parties for first time successes for new hunters and has field skills courses for people who want to learn or brush up on the skills to safely explore the bush.  Overall, I think anyone considering getting into hunting would be well served by checking out EatWild.

Italian Meatballs

(Can be done with moose, venison, or other red meat)

-2 lbs venison
-⅓ cup breadcrumbs
-½ cup milk
-1 head of garlic
-2 onions
-1 teaspoon salt
-⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
-1 tablespoon herb de provence
-1 teaspoon pepper
-1 tablespoon parsley flakes
-2 eggs
-Tomato sauce
-Bay leaf
-Pasta

Combine milk and bread crumbs and let stand 20 minutes

Finely dice onions and garlic

Combine ⅔ of garlic and onion with venison, salt, pepper, Parmesan, and herbs with eggs and breadcrumbs

Roll into small balls (golf ball size)

Bake 425 for 15 minutes

Saute remaining onion and garlic and then add tomato sauce and bay leaf. Season to taste.  Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add meatballs to tomato sauce.

Serve with pasta.