Ptarmigan on a string

From BearWiki

Confirmed: The ptarmigan is clearly attached to something in the direction of the crew via a fishing line or other similar, hard-to-see cord.

The dim light helps hide it, but it is clear that on two brief occasions in the Iceland episode, a thin string (like fishing line) flickers into view, attached to the ptarmigan, and is connected to something in the direction of the crew (5:14). Whatever it is, it sure doesn't fit into the presented narrative.

Update: The re-edited versions of the ep no longer claim he caught it.

[edit] Analysis

Moral of the story: A bird on a string is worth 2 in the bush.