RENO, Nev. -- RENO, Nev. – Around 30 members of the 152nd Airlift Wing participated in this year’s annual Canada Goose Round-Up from June 7-15--a joint effort with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Nevada Department of Wildlife. It is an event that relocates Canada Geese from the Reno-Tahoe corridor to other parts of the state where the air traffic isn’t quite as hectic.
It starts at sunrise during the time of year when they’re molting (when they lose their flying feathers).
This year, the 152nd Airlift Wing Safety Office took volunteers and gathered the geese from the following locations: Double-R, Lakeside Golf Course, Mira Loma Park, NV Energy ponds, Virginia Lake, Manzanita Lake, Paradise Park, Idlewild, Red Hawk Golf Course, Nevada Mental Health, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Eagle Valley, Empire Ranch, Wilson Commons, New Reno Department of Motor Vehicles, Edgewood Golf Couse and Lake Tahoe.
Many geese don’t migrate from Northern Nevada, preferring golf courses, water sources and other areas with food. This can lead to bird strikes with aircraft operating in the Reno-Tahoe region, including the 152nd Airlift Wing’s C-130s.
“This event is integral in supporting our Bird Abatement Strike Hazard (BASH) program and strengthens flight safety throughout the Truckee Meadows, Lake Tahoe and Carson City areas,” Chief of Safety, Lt. Col. Todd Hudson said.
The more birds they can round up, the better odds that we will not encounter an expensive safety incident with one of these geese.
Hudson added, “The final numbers for the round-up were impressive at 1,033, shattering any previous year. The only year that came close was 2007 with a total of 739 geese gathered. Our average for the past 18 years is 424. We appreciate all the help of the volunteers and look forward to next year.”
If you are interested in being involved in future annual round-ups, please contact the 152nd Airlift Wing Safety Office at 775-788-9448.