Antoine nabs large beaver on spring hunt
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (May 25/01) - Jonas Antoine has already indulged in spring.
Accompanied by Herb Norwegian and his brother Tony Antoine, he spent the past two weeks hunting beaver at the mouth of the Rabbitskin River, east of Fort Simpson.
"One of the best enjoyments you can ever have on a spring hunt like this is to sit by the fire and eat beaver tail, bannock and drink tea," Jonas said.
The tail is made of fat tissue, is very chewy and is considered a delicacy, he noted.
Of course, the rest of the meat is tasty too. After removing some of the fat, the meat should be hung over the fire to dry it and preserve it, Jonas explained.
"We don't throw anything away," said Jonas, who added that beavers generally weigh from 10 kilograms to 32 kilograms.
After the flesh is removed from the hide, the skin is stretched and dried. The pelts are purchased by the Department of Wildlife to be sent south to auctions.
The timing is very important in the quality of the hide, Jonas noted. The fur is full during the winter and in the early spring, he said. As soon as there is any sign of green in the deciduous trees, it's too late in the season and the fur will be too thin, he said.
Asked if he considered his hunt successful, he smiled and replied, "It could have been better." He politely declined to reveal how many pelts he had brought back.
The location of the hunt is a key factor, he noted. The Rabbitskin River is where he learned to hunt with his father, William, his grandfather, Joseph, and his uncles Leo, Rod and Albert.
"That river has been well travelled over the centuries by many, many people," Jonas said.
Hunting beaver in early spring doesn't require the patience of other hunts, he acknowledged.
"It's like (beaver) are frolicking out there after being cooped up in the dark all winter," he said, smiling.
Yet the numbers were fairly low this year, as they have been over the past few years. It's likely part of a natural cycle, he suggested.
Often, hunters also bag muskrats while searching for beaver, but Jonas said his party chose not to harvest any muskrats this year because their numbers are alarmingly low.
Regardless of the outcome, having company along on a hunt can make it more of a delight, as long as it's the right company. Jonas described Herb Norwegian as a "straight shooter" and a "real go-getter." Tony, he said, can definitely pull his own weight around the camp and offers "great companionship."
