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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Quetico Forum Wild Rice Harvesting |
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08/18/2016 11:51AM
Anyone ever harvested wild rice in the Q? Taking a trip in mid September, we frequently passed wild rice on the route we take. We aren't really interested in taking a bunch back with us, but just enough to eat for a couple days while camping.
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08/18/2016 02:13PM
quote ATDoel: "Anyone ever harvested wild rice in the Q? Taking a trip in mid September, we frequently passed wild rice on the route we take. We aren't really interested in taking a bunch back with us, but just enough to eat for a couple days while camping."
I seem to remember mention being made of the First Nation using certain areas in Quetico for rice harvesting, some of which was for sacred/ceremonial purposes. One such lake is in the Kawnipi area. For that reason alone, I'd not likely engage in rice harvesting. Secondly, I have no real interest in spending time doing that kind of activity while in the Q. (Just my humble opinion ... mileage may vary.)
dd
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" chances are you missed something. (Inspired by Rudyard Kipling.)
08/18/2016 03:34PM
In addition to observing the proper harvest regulations (provincial and tribal), there is processing after harvest: parching, jigging, and winnowing. It isn't as simple as grabbing a few handfuls of wild rice and throwing it in the cooking pot.
Wild rice harvest in Minnesota
Wild rice harvest in Minnesota
"Said one of these men, long past seventy years of age: 'I could carry, paddle, walk and sing with any man I ever saw. I have been twenty-four years a canoe man, and forty-one years in service; no portage was ever too long for me. Fifty songs could I sing. I have saved the lives of ten voyageurs. Have had twelve wives and six running dogs. I spent all my money in pleasure. Were I young again, I should spend my life the same way over. There is no life so happy as a voyageur's life!'"
08/18/2016 08:01PM
quote ATDoel: "Anyone ever harvested wild rice in the Q? Taking a trip in mid September, we frequently passed wild rice on the route we take. We aren't really interested in taking a bunch back with us, but just enough to eat for a couple days while camping."
I tried once, not while canoeing, but with a bit I had harvested. Didn't really work, as I couldn't get the husks to come off. Found out later that you have to age it a bit so the husks deteriorate. Then you parch it (maybe could be done in a cast iron fry pan), which takes quite a while. Lastly you have to winnow it by throwing it up in the breeze. Lots of work, but it would be cool to say you did it.
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