Brant Goose Hunting

HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS

The Brant goose is primarily an ocean bird, living off of the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are a smaller goose, similar to the size of a Cackler goose. The adult and juvenile geese are very similar in size and color, however the adult has a white collar around the neck and a white scaling on it’s back. The average size of a Brant goose can range from 2 ½ to 5 pounds.

The Brant goose population overall is a thriving population. They are a very popular species to hunt along the coasts and the typical limit is 2 birds per day / 4 in possession but that can change from state to state.

Most inland hunters across the country choose to hire a guide, located along either coast when trying to hunt the Brant geese. For those hunters looking for a tip on how to do it themselves, according to east coast outfitter Jeremiah Brooks, the best way to hunt these birds is to set up one long line of Brant decoys that extends out into the bay, with a large concentration of Brant and / or Canada goose silhouette decoys along the tidal flat. Jeremiah says the birds cannot tell the difference between the Canada goose decoys and the Brant decoys. He then either hides the hunters in a layout boat, or better yet lying down directly behind the silhouette decoys on shore.

He goes on to say the key in being successful in harvesting the Brant geese is location, location, location. The Brant geese love the abundant eel grass located at the mouth of a fresh water outlet that dumps into the ocean and as the tide goes out, the birds come in to gorge on the eel grass while also filling up on the fresh water flowing into the salt water. They will also eat kelp and sea lettuce.

Jeremiah also noted that the birds tend to decoy in flocks of 20 – 60 birds and there really is no need to call the birds, in fact there really is not a Brant goose call on the market that he knows of.

Due to the fact that each hunter can only harvest 2 bird per day it does not take long ti harvest a daily limit. The birds are also good to eat as well, if prepared properly.

RECOMMENDED DECOYS

HUNTING TIPS & TACTICS

The Brant goose is primarily an ocean bird, living off of the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are a smaller goose, similar to the size of a Cackler goose. The adult and juvenile geese are very similar in size and color, however the adult has a white collar around the neck and a white scaling on it’s back. The average size of a Brant goose can range from 2 ½ to 5 pounds.

The Brant goose population overall is a thriving population. They are a very popular species to hunt along the coasts and the typical limit is 2 birds per day / 4 in possession but that can change from state to state.

Most inland hunters across the country choose to hire a guide, located along either coast when trying to hunt the Brant geese. For those hunters looking for a tip on how to do it themselves, according to east coast outfitter Jeremiah Brooks, the best way to hunt these birds is to set up one long line of Brant decoys that extends out into the bay, with a large concentration of Brant and / or Canada goose silhouette decoys along the tidal flat. Jeremiah says the birds cannot tell the difference between the Canada goose decoys and the Brant decoys. He then either hides the hunters in a layout boat, or better yet lying down directly behind the silhouette decoys on shore.

He goes on to say the key in being successful in harvesting the Brant geese is location, location, location. The Brant geese love the abundant eel grass located at the mouth of a fresh water outlet that dumps into the ocean and as the tide goes out, the birds come in to gorge on the eel grass while also filling up on the fresh water flowing into the salt water. They will also eat kelp and sea lettuce.

Jeremiah also noted that the birds tend to decoy in flocks of 20 – 60 birds and there really is no need to call the birds, in fact there really is not a Brant goose call on the market that he knows of.

Due to the fact that each hunter can only harvest 2 bird per day it does not take long ti harvest a daily limit. The birds are also good to eat as well, if prepared properly.

RECOMMENDED DECOYS