cory loeffler: goose wizard

08-15-242 mins read

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Saskatoon is the fifth Flyway Series release from GUNNER, which features limited-edition colors that draw inspiration from iconic destinations and honey holes within the four North American flyways. Limited quantities available. A portion of Saskatoon-edition products proceeds will be donated to Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Story by Cory Loeffler of DRC Calls

The number one reason I travel to hunt snow geese each spring is simple: the fat content of the birds. After each hunt, I render the fat out and use it in place of seed oils all year long. It’s become a staple in my family’s kitchen, and the rendering process is easier than you think.

Snow geese migrating to Saskatoon are in peak physical condition, having flown from Louisiana and Arkansas. Once they arrive, they gorge on cereal grains for about a month, transforming their bodies from "marathon runner” to “my 600 pound life" in just two weeks. This fat accumulation is crucial for their nesting period in the Arctic tundra.

For those of us who avoid seed and vegetable oils, this natural fat is liquid gold. Here's how to render it:

1. After a successful hunt, carefully clean the bird and locate the fat. The majority (50-75%) is found surrounding the intestines in the lower abdominal cavity, with more just beneath the skin.
2. Collect all the fat and soak it in cold salt water for a few hours to remove blood.
3. Drain most of the water and place the fat in a pot over low heat for 5-6 hours.
4. Strain the liquid fat through a cheesecloth or fine screen to separate it from solid chunks.
5. Pour the pure, hot fat (over 180°F) into clean containers for storage.

There are a ton of benefits to using snow goose fat. It's a natural, unprocessed fat that hasn't been refined or deodorized, and it has a high smoke point, making it ideal for cooking at high temperatures. Plus, it's virtually flavorless, so it can be used in various recipes without altering the taste. In our household, we use snow goose fat for deep frying fish (like Halibut and Cod), frying vegetables, and general cooking as a replacement for seed oils.

It's worth noting that it takes about 20-25 birds to fill a mason jar with rendered fat, depending on the quality of the birds and how carefully they were shot.

Rendering snow goose fat not only benefits your health, but also shows respect for the animal by using as much of it as possible. It’s worth the effort to utilize the whole goose and stock your kitchen with a versatile, natural fat that you can use year-round.

Giving Back

For every Saskatoon Kennel, Food Crate, or Bowl that our GUNNER customers purchase, we will be giving a portion of proceeds back to Ducks Unlimited Canada. In addition, when customers choose to donate $1 at checkout to the organization, GUNNER will equally match that donation in honor of the customer's gift.