Port Alberni allowing company to hunt non-migratory Canada Geese

VANCOUVER – Hard to believe, but there was a time when you would be hard-pressed to find a Canada Goose in Canada.

Times have certainly changed however.

Since Canada Geese were reintroduced to some parts of the province in the 60s and 70s, their populations have boomed.

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A particular problem are the geese who do not migrate and stick around all year.

In Port Alberni the geese are causing farmers grief by eating their young crops. So the city is allowing Ducks Unlimited to hunt the resident birds in the early fall, before the migratory geese show up.

“We have concerns about firearms being discharged,” said Port Alberni Mayor John Douglas. “They’ve assured us that they will have designated hunters. They’re going to be directed the time of day to be able to do that and then the direction in which they’ll be able to be discharging those firearms.”