Pacific Black Brant Hunting Near Cold Bay, Alaska
The Cold Bay/ Izembek Lagoon area provides the best Black Brant hunting available anywhere. Hunters can witness concentrations that are not found anywhere else and enjoy consistent success hunting decoying Brant. We have had 100% success every year we have hunted this area in addition to the opportunities to hunt a wide variety of other species(18+ in 2010). No passport required for this hunt or safety issues for this hunt. Daily flights from Anchorage provide a worry free hunt in one of the most scenic areas in Alaska.
Hunters can expect close shots and many opportunities for Brant over custom painted decoys. By mid October most adult birds are suitable for taxidermy, while late October and November birds are in prime condition. These birds are also one of the best eating of all waterfowl and we will prepare them for some memorable dinners if requested. 2011 prices for full week hunt(6.5 days) of guided hunts, lodging, food and transportation once in Cold Bay, Alaska. Also includes game prep/cleaning, optional fishing, optional Ptarmigan hunting, and more.
$3300 pp
For more info on our Cold Bay hunts for Black Brant and other waterfowl contact us today.
Check out our Brant Blog and videos for some exciting Brant hunting in Alaska.
Pacific Black Brant
Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) are strikingly marked small sea goose species that mainly breed in the North American Arctic and to a far lesser extent the Eurasian Arctic. The majority breed on the coastal fringe of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in southwestern Alaska. Smaller numbers breed in the Alaska and Canadian High Arctic. Eelgrass is vitally important as it accounts for over 95% of their diet. Izembek Lagoon contains some of the largest eelgrass beds in the world and is critical to the Black Brant life cycle.
Approximately 99% of the Black Brant population stages at Izembek Lagoon near Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula during the fall and most in the spring also. Brant begin arriving during late August, and numbers build through September. Peak Brant numbers are usually present near late September or early October and usually number between are an estimated 120,000-160,000.
The Pacific population also includes a small number of the Grey-bellied Brant subspecies. This population breeds in the Canadian High Arctic and winter in Washington State. Ongoing research is shedding light on these birds migration stops and wintering areas. Black Brant winter from Alaska to Mexico, where roughly 80% winter. Recent winters have had many birds overwintering in Alaska, but this varies annually with the severity of the winter conditions.