Herald and News: Trial hunt to target crop damage by migratory geese

Trial hunt to target damage by migratory geese

More than 100 landowners and hunters attend special meeting

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Writer

February 15, 2007

Bob Flowers said it happens to him about once every five years.

Most years, the migratory geese that pass through the Klamath Basin don’t go after his fields and pastures. But the years they do, his land is laid waste and is not nearly as productive as it could be. The same goes for his neighbors.

Flowers and state wildlife and public safety officials and nearly 100 hunters and landowners crowded into the blue exhibit building at the Klamath County Fairgrounds Tuesday night to learn about an experimental hunting season aimed at alleviating damage from the birds.

Several in attendance were concerned about the hunt, including its restrictions and possible detriments to hunters. Those who planned the meeting emphasized that the hunt is experimental and may not occur in the future if not effective.

Combined forces seen

“It’s a unique opportunity to pair up hunters with landowners to solve a problem,” said Sgt. Randy Hand of the Oregon State Police.

Tom Collom, wildlife biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said complaints of goose damage have increased during the past decade as flocks have grown.
The damage can be severe enough that hay growers will lose cuttings, and ranchers will keep their herds off a pasture for up to a month, Collom said.

Much interest in hunt

The hunt has received a lot of interest, Collom said. Besides hunters from the Klamath Basin, individuals from as far as Portland and Baker City, Ore., have called for information.

While the experimental hunt is meant to alleviate the problems with goose damage, officials stress that there are special conditions for it and it will be evaluated for its effectiveness.

Permission needed

Hand and Collom said hunters will need to obtain permission to hunt on private land and take care not to shoot at birds not included in the experimental season, including snow geese, Ross’s geese and Canada geese. Some landowners may not want them hunted on their land.

Concerns about the hunt include the fact that days were docked from the regular fall hunting season for it and that fewer birds can be shot. Those concerned also said it could be difficult to find private landowners who will allow hunters.

“This is the worst idea that has ever been thought up,” one hunter said.

Collom emphasized that the hunt is not permanent and will be evaluated for future seasons.

For more information about the experimental hunt, call the ODFW Klamath Falls office at 541-883-5732.