Bowhead whale hunting (Eskimo style Easter)

21 April 2003, 14:26

Rusty Gunn

I thought I'd share this little tidbit... the first whale of the season for the village of Point Hope, Alaska was caught a few hours a go, by Rex Rock's crew. My people are celebrating Easter in a traditional way!
The harpoons used now days are an upgrade from the traditional bone-tips - explosive tips are used nowadays, for a more humane kill. They are still hand-tossed from a boat pulled up beside the whale.
A friend of mine has an old cast bronze gun, that tosses a 2 inch diameter harpoon. Its an old black powder muzzle loader, with a skeleton stock. Roughly 40 lbs weight. Imagine carrying THAT one around for elk!
Enjoy you easter. We certainly are.
Ahdeegah! ~~~Suluuq

21 April 2003, 18:12

Congrats to the crew, and the village!

Man, that's gotta be a tough hunt!

21 April 2003, 19:02

Rusty Gunn

I haven't hunted whales before, and serioulsy doubt I ever will, nor do I have any intentions anyway. But my younger brother has, as a guest. The captain has a set amount of 'strikes' given him, thus he chooses his crew very carefully. One has to earn their way on board. Success is very important. My brother said he was quite frightened by having to come up beside a whale, with the tail only feet, sometimes yards, away, ready to flip the boat over with ease if it comes close enough. This was his first time.
The harpoons are hand-tossed, using an explosive tip that I'm told uses a 50 BMG casing (no bullet). Exactly how this is done I don't know.
~~~Suluuq

22 April 2003, 11:32

yukon delta

A good friend of mine just spent a few days in Point Hope. His name is Odis Ganey. Congrats on the whale. I know it's a big deal.

22 April 2003, 12:54

Bucktail

So what does whale taste like?

22 April 2003, 13:49

HenryC470

quote:
Originally posted by Bucktail:
So what does whale taste like?

Chicken.

H. C.

22 April 2003, 20:30

Rusty Gunn

quote:
Originally posted by HenryC470:

quote:
Originally posted by Bucktail:
So what does whale taste like?
Chicken.

H. C.

Made me laugh!
[Smile]

How it tastes is hard to explain, but I can say how it seems to feel eating it - sort of like eating Gummy Bears, but a bit oily.
If you're up this way, head to Point Hope in June, during the whaling feast. You can experience the whole shibang. Dances, songs, feasting, games, all traditional. ~~~Suluuq

22 April 2003, 23:13

Fred Bouwman

quote:
Originally posted by Bucktail:
So what does whale taste like?

From "The New Larousse Gastronomique," the definitive
encyclopedia of classical French cooking and culinary history:

Whale. (fr. Baleine) In the Middle Ages whale meat, under the
name of crapois or Lenten bacon, was sold on meatless days and
formed the staple diet of the poor. The flesh of this cetacean
is most indigestible and remains tough even after 24 hours
cooking.

There are several kinds of whales, which differ in name,
appearance, and size. From the gastronomical point of view, only
whale calves are of any interest. The flesh of these is of a
reddish colour and somewhat similar to beef in appearance, but
not in taste. Whale meat was not greatly esteemed by our
grandfathers, but they set some store by the tongue of the
animal, usually salted. Ambroise Pare says that 'it is tender and
delicious'. They also much appreciated whale fat which they ate
'during Lent, with peas.'

As whale meat can be kept for quite a long time without going
bad, sailors used to store it, to cook as required. It can be
prepared like tuna.

There are not very many recipes for whale meat.

Dr. Felix Bremont tells how he had an occasion to eat whale meat
in 1892 in a restaurant near the Halles: 'I will not say anything
bad about whale meat, but neither can I find it in me to say
anything good about it. Boil a piece of lean beef in water which
has been used to wash a not-too-fresh mackerel, and you will have
a dish similar to that which was served to me under the name of
Escalope of whale a la Valois.' Whale steaks are often served in
Norway.

23 April 2003, 01:49

Hot Core

Hey Rusty Gunn, Thanks for the nice news. I had no idea the totally worthless, Ultra-Leftist, Radical-Liberal DEMOCRATS hadn't stopped all this somehow.

Any chance those fools are trying to introduce some kind of Killer Shark in the area like they did the Wolves in the lower 48?

Good to hear some of the old traditions are still alive. Thanks again.