10 cool Canadian birds that belong that belong on every wingshooter’s bucket list

#9  TURR

Never heard of turr? That’s because you likely know of these birds instead by their more accepted and familiar names: common murre and thick-billed murre. To those who have a long and storied history of hunting these medium-sized, tuxedo-clad seabirds, however, they’ll always be turr.

Held exclusively in Newfoundland and Labrador, the turr hunt is North America’s only legal, non-aboriginal hunt of migratory seabirds. While at times they can be hunted from shore, turr are most often pursued from boats, well out into open water.

Turr meat is dark and oily, and I’m told it has a slightly fishy aftertaste. When oven-roasted, however, it has long provided Newfoundlanders with a reliable and much-needed source of rich protein, healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Unfortunately for most of us, only residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are legally allowed to hunt turr. Along with the abundant moose, fine music and renowned kitchen parties, I guess that’s just one more great reason to consider moving to the Rock.