Loch Ness monster? Quill Lake Goose ?

By Anne Sanderson  

Published in the Wadena News in 2005

It may not be the Loch Ness monster but in waterfowl hunting circles it is considered nearly as big a mystery.

Last week a pair of geese was shot north of Rose Valley and their death has sparked interest in an unsolved mystery about the possible existence of a rare breed of geese that sport the characteristics of both the Canada and the snow goose.

The geese were shot by Bryan Baker and Bill Jackson of Miami , Oklahoma , who say in 15 years of hunting in the Quill Lakes area they have never seen or heard of such a wild combination.

It was not until the geese were already on the ground that the men discovered that although they were flying in a flock of Canadas their coloring was “off” and the Canada’s trademark “cheek patch” appeared to faded and almost non-existent. Also proving of interest was that fact that their bodies were covered with “greyish” feathers and although they were black, as they should be, their bills were shaped more like that of a snow goose.

 The discovery caused the two men to immediately transport the birds to the local DU office to see if someone could answer their questions. Fortunately for them DU biologist Chuck Deschamps was working and although he had yet to see one, he had once read about such a bird in an article that came out of Michigan .

“There has been talk of this bird before – I remember reading about it,” Deschamps told The News Friday. “Although I have never seen one, apparently there are people who have. In the article I read they called it the Quill Lake Goose. Apparently it is a Canada-snow-goose cross, which is believed to have originated near the Quill Lakes .”

Deschamps says the reason it is so unique is because Canada geese and snow geese are entirely different species. He says it would be like a robin crossing with a magpie – they are entirely different birds and not generally attracted to one another.

According to the internet, quite a few of the birds have been sighted and some even shot. However, due to their survival rates, and relatively low numbers they are still considered a rare and unique species. A lively exchange occurred on a sportsman’s Web site back in 2002 after a hunter shot one of the birds in North Dakota . His comments led half a dozen others to write in. Although the story was the same, the birds were sighted in various parts of the country ( U.S. ) and the markings varied from bird to bird. One particularly unique bird even had the snow’s orange bill and feet. Others spoke of the white feathers on the leading edge of the wings and the presence of eye-catching white breast bands. Most said the birds stuck out like a sore thumb, even when coming in to land with a large group of Canada geese. All of them had mounted their birds and hung them in a prominent place, where they can be used as a regular conversation piece.

Although there appears to be no definitive answers, every hunter that participated in the discussion agreed that the birds are the “prettiest” they have ever seen. All said they will continue to seek the answers as to how the birds were created and whether they are actually a cross, or as one bait shop indicated, simply “discolored because of all the minerals in the Quill Lakes ”. Apparently the birds generally travel by themselves, but sometimes as in this case, they are seen in pairs. The hunters said they had no idea where the name Quill Lake Goose came from, but supposed it meant the birds originated in Quill Lake , Canada .

The hunters from Oklahoma laughed when they were asked about whether they thought the birds did come from this area. “Well, it’s just like the Loch Ness monster,” one said, “just because its named Loch Ness doesn’t mean anybody knows for sure it comes from Loch Ness. Who knows where these birds came from?”

Both men told The News they intend to have their birds mounted and say the birds have made the hunt of 2005 one of the highlights of their many hunting experiences.