Brant

Description: There are two subspecies: the Pacific brant (also known as the black brant) and the American brant (also called the Atlantic brant). The head, neck, and cheeks are black, with black bills and feet. White streaks exist just below the head on the side of the neck. The underbelly is grayish-brown, and the tail is white. Pacific brant are darker on the chest and belly and have pronounced white patches on the neck. Average size: 22-26 inches. Average weight: 3 ½-3 ¾ pounds.

Science: Their breeding area is the Arctic coast of Alaska, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and the Arctic islands of Canada. They migrate early in August, flying very fast and almost nonstop to their winter grounds. Pacific brant winter along the coast in California, Baja, and Mexico, while American brant winter along the eastern seaboard. They may be found on coastal islands, tundra habitats, coastal estuaries, and marshes, where they eat eelgrass and other aquatic plants. They travel in small flocks of only one hundred or so birds. Their population is stable.

Hunting: Brant can be pass-shot as they move into bays and estuaries to feed. They can also be hunted with decoys, using techniques similar to those used for hunting sea ducks. Sink boats and sculling boats are often helpful. The eating quality is fair: the meat is dark and strong-tasting.