These are ribeyes of the sky right..?
 

Fished the Castle system yesterday... and these two characters were prancing around by the side of the road.

I’m assuming they nested around here... is that common? Cause I’ve never seen them here before.
https://i.imgur.com/M3Uhdq5.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/haqquFg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/v6Diw6D.jpg

Anyone have the lowdown on these critters re: summer range..?

I’ve never seen any around the mountain fly way during hunting season.

My old phone’s camera is crap.... we watched them toodle around for 5 minutes. Real interesting critter to watch.

We don't have many, though I spotted a large flock soaring over Rocky once, maybe gathering for the migration. A few nesting around here, including West of Sundre. I think the numbers have been steadily increasing over the year. Rib Eye of the Sky ? There seems to be a difference of opinion on that.

Grizz

Ribeye of the sky?
 

If you are going to try to eat one of these critters throw a good sized rock in the pot with it, bring to a boil for about 2 hours then throw away the bird and eat the rock. Just my opinion!

I agree, anyone thinks these taste like Ribeye have been eating REALLY BAD Ribeye. I don't hunt geese or Birds of that type just because the only way they are edible is made into sausage.

Strange...
I have a buddy that goes on a yearly bird trip to Saskabush...

They’ve taken a few.. grilled em med rare to rare.... and they say it’s excellent!

I’ll second that, will be targeting them this fall.

i have two sets living in a wet area east of the house for the last 5 years cool to watch

I used to live in SW manitoba where a huge amount of cranes staged and migrated through every year, but I've never seen them in summer plumage like that. Cool pictures. I'm firmly on the not-ribeye and more headache than its worth train.

Like anything you shoot between Sept 1st - Dec 15th if it has wings and is prepped and cooked right its delicious. Grew up in Saskatchewan and go back every thanks giving they are worth the drive and incredibly fun to hunt.

While I do love to shoot most things with wings, these feel like chasing high maintenance women......

With the same unsatisfying results ? :lol: I gather, while they look huge, it's mostly the breast meat you're after.

Grizz

I read somewhere the "Ribeye"name comes from the shape of the breast after you remove it from the bird.

Shape , colour , texture. I have only had the pleasure once but if you did not like it , It was likely over done. It was excellent

Quite a few years back I was out scouting, driving roads and looking for tracks. I pulled on to a lease and three sandhill cranes, two adults and a juvenile, started running for the firewall. My 120lb husky, Lincoln, bailed out of the bed of the truck and gave chase. The two adults took off, but the juvenile kept running into the trees with my dog chasing it.

I jumped out of the truck, mad as heck, and was about to call him back when he came barreling out of the trees with the young sandhill crane hot on HIS tail! Wish I could have seen what happened, but I take it that when cornered they can put on a pretty good show.

Lol!!
 

...... that could be the best post I’ve read all month!


Maybe I stick to the breasts I know and can depend upon.

While we don't see a lot in our area, I have seen some when spotting geese, and one landed beside our decoy spread one morning. I am game to try them, if we get the opportunity next fall.

You better post pics when you get one elk.

I’m bettin you got a decent chance at them up round Camrose area.

I once saw small migrating Flicks land on Smokey Lake... and on Bens Lake by Willingdon years ago.

Sandhills
 

I was fishing the Waterton just out of the park 2 years ago when I came across 2 Adults and 2 younguns at about this time of year..... I have also come across a few up around the Jumping pound area ..... must be something about the rolling hills and abundance of sloughs in both areas ...... otherwise I can remember them as a kid out in Sask ......

Looks like cranes to me. As for the taste there is quite a vast difference between the older birds and young ones. The young rusty birds are for grilling and the older grey birds are for the slow cooker. Don't overdo em and they taste awesome!

Bingo!! Shoot juvies and you will be more then nicely surprised. Fun bird to hunt is big bonus

I have had many that we shot in Sask in the fall. In fall plumage you want to shoot the brown colored juvvies, not the grey adults. Breast them out, a bit of olive oil on a griddle cook rare to medium rare no more.
Absolutely fabulous eating, the best that flies. Then again I think prime elk under brown gravy is the finest Hooved meat on the planet.
Osky

I got one of those on my trail cam last month! I thought it was an alien of some sort, voodoo big bird thing! Glad I know what it is now.

I've heard and seen plenty in that same area. Not this time of year but Mar and Apr.

Bessie Dog

Have seen many times on the side of the road between Castle Falls and the ski area, usually this time of year until mid August. They are beautiful and look completely out of place when you see them.

They do walk goofey.....

I have seen a couple nesting on the east side of the road not very far from the ski hill. First time was about 8 years ago. I have ate them and thought they were great.

Goose meat make excellent garlic sausage, smokies, and outstanding jerky, dunno about crane however
FS

Grizz enjoyed your post, you just made my day!

Fixewd it for you. To all of those that think these are great eating critters, I unreservedly offer you my full share. ENJOY!

Ribeyes
 

A great bird to hunt. I can hardly wait for September. If I cannot find them in Alberta I shall hotfoot it into Saskatchewan with my legal documents purchased on line and have a go at them there.

I like ribeyes. Both beef and crane .. :)