Brant

[CP]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

January 4, 2011                                                   

Contact: Don Kraege, (360) 902-2522

Brant numbers strong enough for Skagit hunt

OLYMPIA - Brant goose numbers in Skagit County are high enough to allow an eight-day hunt later this month, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). 

Brant hunting is scheduled Jan. 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30 with a bag limit of two geese per day.

The hunting season was adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in August, contingent on a count of at least 6,000 brant in Skagit County. A total of 8,519 brant were counted Monday morning during an aerial survey of Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays.

"Numbers of brant wintering in Skagit County are up from last year," said Don Kraege, waterfowl section manager for WDFW. "We are also seeing significant numbers elsewhere in northern Puget Sound, including nearby Whatcom County, where we counted an additional 6,877 birds during the aerial survey." 

This year’s count in Skagit County is about 860 more birds than the 10-year average, said Kraege. Last year, WDFW wildlife biologists counted slightly more than 6,000 brant in Skagit County. About 16,200 brant - the largest number in 14 years - were counted during aerial surveys in 2009. 

To participate in the Skagit County brant season, hunters must have written authorization and a harvest record card from WDFW. After taking a brant, hunters are required to record their harvest information immediately, and report their harvest to WDFW by Feb. 15. Hunters who fail to report by Feb. 15 will be ineligible to hunt brant in the 2011-2012 season.

Hunters who harvest a brant fitted with a colored leg band should report the leg band’s numbers and color by calling 1-800-327-BAND or at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/bblretrv/ . The leg bands help biologists identify and track the birds. 

More information on brant-hunting requirements is available in WDFW’s Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons hunting pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/ . 

[Special T]

Very Cool I've always wanted one for a mount... Do you know if it is effective enough to use Canadian decoys for hunting brant?

[Tealer]

I used Canada decoys last year, this year I have some painted up to look like brant.

[h2ofowlr]

I use canada goose decoys that have been painted to look like brant.  They work pretty well.  Should be a good shoot.  Been watching quite a few flying around.

[Malardman]

I'm going to the WDFW tomorrow to get in on this, anybody that know's how to do this and does not have a BOAT PM me...... I will supply the ride if you help out on the other end?

[jordano]

I would love to go but don't have a boat.. never been before and am really interested in it... glad there are enough for a season this year!

[Glockster]

They are not the most intelligent of waterfowl   

~Canada goose deeks will work just fine. 

[jordano]

Hey so do you get your normal 4 geese (Combination of Snow, Canada, and Speck) plus 2 Brant??

[h2ofowlr]

Hey so do you get your normal 4 geese (Combination of Snow, Canada, and Speck) plus 2 Brant??

No, they count towards your daily bag limit of 4.  You can shoot two brant then two other geese.

[Special T]

A buddy from the club painted up a bunch of Super-Mag deeks (old beatup ones) too look like brant... Looked pretty good

[jordano]

Hey so do you get your normal 4 geese (Combination of Snow, Canada, and Speck) plus 2 Brant??

No, they count towards your daily bag limit of 4.  You can shoot two brant then two other geese.

Thanks H2o! I appreciate it!

[h2ofowlr]

It might be a rough opener for brant this year.  If you have a small boat and are going to give it a go you may experience a white knuckle ride.

Forecast as of 2:53 am PST on January 13, 2011
Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands-
Today
Se wind rising to 15 to 25 kt by noon and then becoming S. Wind waves building to 1 to 4 ft. Rain.
Tonight
S wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. Showers likely.
Fri
S wind rising to 20 to 30 kt. Wind waves building to 2 to 5 ft. Rain.
Fri Night
S wind 15 to 25 kt...easing after midnight. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft...subsiding.
Sat
Se wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves up to 3 ft.
Sun
S wind 10 to 15 kt...becoming SW. Wind waves 2 ft or less.
Mon
S wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less.

[sakoshooter]

Saw a flock of about 30 yesterday at Nisqually.

[singleshot12]

Anyone make it out?

[wadu1]

Saw a flock of about 30 yesterday at Nisqually.

And about 30 more on the North Side of the river, not the same bunch saw them both on the way in.