By Lyonel Doherty
Canada geese in Oliver are getting wise to those guys.
So says a report on the annual geese hunting program that is reportedly decreasing their population in Canada’s Wine Capital.
On Monday, Town council approved the continuation of the cull by issuing six hunting permits for the 2019-2020 season.
The program began in 2010 with the intention of reducing urban geese numbers around Tucelnuit Lake and the airport.
In his report, Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell indicated there is a steadily growing population of geese that contribute to the public’s concerns about water quality and beach use.
The report states that 51 geese were killed in the 2018-19 season, compared to 29 the year before and 30 in the year before that.
But the geese are getting wise to people with guns and are finding alternate places to congregate, which is the goal of the program, Goodsell pointed out.
The Town of Oliver is also a partner in the egg addling program in the Okanagan Valley, in which it pays $2,000 a year. A total of 1,167 eggs were addled in 2018.
Goodsell said they have not received any complaints from the public for several years. In addition, goose nuisance complaints have also decreased, he noted.
