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RFH 2010, Cover Stories, Village of Hamilton

Some Geese at Airport to be Shot

Wed, Sep 14, 2011

The Village Board of Trustees Tuesday night agreed it was OK to shoot some of those who land at the municipal airport. The Airport/Air Park Commission agreed.

Both bodies OK'd allowing two village employees to shoot some of the Canada geese that have started landing at the airport in huge flocks. DPW and Municipal Utilities Director Sean Graham told the board at its regular meeting that the number of geese flying near and landing on the airport's runway is so large as to be a safety hazard. He said they are seeking food in nearby farm fields.

The plan is to close the walking trail near the airport, equip the hunters with radios so they can hear incoming airplane traffic and let them shoot some of the geese. Graham said the season to hunt geese is open, and hunters are allowed to take up to eight birds a day.

Graham said the plan includes leaving some of the dead birds in the field. He said Department of Environmental Conservation personnel said that geese will avoid an area where other geese have died. The hope is to discourage the geese from frequenting the airport.

More Information

   * DEC on Canda Geese

   * Geese Killed at NY City Airports

   * Federal Aviation Administration statistics on planes being struck by wildlife


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