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Canadian City Uses Drone To Chase Off Geese

LeadSongDog writes "The Ottawa Citizen reports on an enterprising private contractor who has been hired by a city government in Canada to drive geese off its island beaches using a small, remote-controlled drone. 'It’s proving amazingly effective, said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette. The place used to be haunted by as many as 140 geese, which can eat several pounds of grass in a day and poop out nearly as much in waste. “Now we’re down to anywhere from 15 to 20 on a daily basis,” Monette said. The weapon the city’s deployed is a “hexcopter,” a remote-controlled chopper with rotors that can hover, soar, circle and — most importantly — scoot along just above the ground, scaring the bejesus out of dozing geese. It’s operated by contractor Steve Wambolt, a former IT worker who launched his own business after one too many layoffs. “When he takes it out, they put their backs up straight and they’re watching,” Monette said. “When he starts it and it goes up off the ground, they sort of walk into a formation, and as soon as it starts moving, they all take off and they don’t come back until the next day.”'"

196 comments

  1. Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Geese by jimbolauski · · Score: 5, Funny

    Another example of government tyranny.

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    P= W/t
    t=Money
    Money = Work/Knowledge so the less you know the more you make
  2. Where do they go? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    seems like this might not be very well thought out...

    1. Re:Where do they go? by Gravitron+5000 · · Score: 1

      They go outside the city. Most of Canada is essentially uninhabited by people, so there is plenty of space that they can go where they will not be a nuisance. They don't even have to go far in this case, as Ottawa is surrounded by forest and farm land. You can drive half an hour from the city center in any direction and be in the middle of nowhere.

    2. Re:Where do they go? by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      seems like this might not be very well thought out...

      Well, Canada has a larger land area than the US, with huge tracts of it being essentially wilderness.

      There is literally no shortage of places they could go to once they've been spooked from these places.

      Think Wisconsin or Maine, but much larger. Miles and miles or forests, wetlands, and whatever else might keep a goose happy.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:Where do they go? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I didn't realize country parts of Ottawa were the middle of nowhere. Metro, Ottawa is larger than you think, they just haven't totally backfilled it with Suburbia yet because there is still quite a bit of greenbelt built in. Barrhaven touches Manotick now, Riverside south goes almost all the way to Greely, Richmond is on the verge of connecting to Kanata and Stittsville bumps uglies with Kanata all day long. 10 years ago, you couldn't catch a bus to Stittsville to save your life.

    4. Re:Where do they go? by Hatta · · Score: 1

      Canada is big.

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    5. Re:Where do they go? by geekoid · · Score: 0

      "There is literally no shortage of places they could go to once they've been spooked from these places."
      Geese can't go everywhere that's wilderness.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    6. Re:Where do they go? by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      seems like this might not be very well thought out...

      Canada's Really Big

    7. Re:Where do they go? by lgw · · Score: 1

      Geese don't have unbounded rights to space or population growth, either. And when there's any contention, whatever benefits humans most is the right outcome.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    8. Re:Where do they go? by Gravitron+5000 · · Score: 1

      That's the first time I've ever heard someone mention Greely as not being in the middle of nowhere. Same goes for Manotick.

  3. Valuable Antiaircraft Weapon by Antipater · · Score: 2

    What the article doesn't mention is the Nazi fighter plane that Mr. Wambolt was using the geese to bring down.

    I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne...

    --
    Everything is better with chainsaws.
    1. Re:Valuable Antiaircraft Weapon by Boawk · · Score: 2

      I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne...

      Well there's your solution right there. If you don't have a drone handy, just hire Sean Connery to chase 'em around with his umbrella. He is no longer acting so he's probably looking for a post-retirement gig.

  4. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    They are Canadian Geese so the Constitution doens't apply

  5. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Geese

    Well, it's evidence of some pretty stellar illiteracy on your behalf.

    Stupid Amerninicians.

  6. This isn't going to end well, you realize by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

    Geese are pretty smart.

    Geese are pretty big. They can take down a commercial airliner.

    Hexacopters are small, fragile and expensive. They can't make more hexacopters by themselves.

    I predict MORE geese poop in Canada.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    1. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by gstoddart · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I predict MORE geese poop in Canada.

      Which is kind of like predicting colder temperatures in winter.

      Hell, I was in Myrtle Beach this year ... and there they were: Canadian Geese, honking, eating, and pooping, and then honking, eating and pooping some more for good measure. Because, well, that's what they do.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Geese are pretty smart.

      Not really .. but they do make it up in volume. ;-)

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Geese are vicious, bloodthirsty birds. You do not fuck with them, or they will mess you up.

      I expect reports from all over Canada of drones pecked to destruction and covered in goose poop by the end of the month. And a few deaths of well-intentioned drone pilots, all of them mysterious deaths, only with a single goose feather found at the scenes of the crimes.

      Only a part of what I just said was hyperbole. The Canada goose, man. It is not afraid.

    4. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by xevioso · · Score: 2

      The geese where I live usually just eat, then honk, then poop, then honk, then eat, then poop. Sometimes variations on a theme, but mostly pretty consistent.

    5. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by Russ1642 · · Score: 2

      They're like those little rat sized dogs with big attitudes. It's all for show. If you stand up to a goose you'll win. If you run from them and let them peck at you then we get to laugh.

    6. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      LOL ... well, before they can land and eat, they honk. Then they honk some more. Eating and pooping definitely happens, and I'm certain I've seen both happen at the same time. In between both there's more honking. Before they take off, they poop and honk some more. Then they go someplace else and do it all over again.

      But eating, honking, pooping, and making even more geese seems to be the general theme.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    7. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      Somewhere they occasionally fit in "attacking some random person for not giving them breadcrumbs."

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    8. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is mostly true. Act like you are bigger than they are (because YOU ARE) and they usually back off. Just one time I had one that thought he could take me. He jumped up and had his feet clawing towards my head - 3 times. On the third try I grabbed him by the neck and escorted him to the nearest pond. Talk about a seriously upset bird...

    9. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by bmk67 · · Score: 1

      Geese ... can take down a commercial airliner.

      Terrorists. I knew it.

    10. Re:This isn't going to end well, you realize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Geese Drone 2.0 Now With Advanced Rat-a-Tat-Tat Technology will take care of that problem.

  7. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by maliqua · · Score: 2

    just pretend he said canadian charter or rights and freedoms

    thank goodness its a private contractor or the government likely would have invested millions into research and invented some sort of stealthed beach mobile to do the task

  8. What about the other way around? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Can we use geese to chase off drones?

    1. Re:What about the other way around? by riverat1 · · Score: 2

      I can see it now, kamikaze geese. They take out the drones like they take out an airliner.

  9. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Jstlook · · Score: 0, Troll

    Oddly, Alaskans actually respect the natural migration of Canadian Geese, and find the entire yearly event a treasure to protect. Shame on the Canadians!

    --
    ---jstlook ---For that is the way of Elves, for they say both yes AND no, and mean every word of it. --- J.R.R.T.
  10. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by oodaloop · · Score: 0

    It's a frist psot. It's supposed to be missplleed!

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  11. Birds hate helicopters by stewsters · · Score: 1

    I had a pet conure and one on my friends brought over one of those $30 micro copters, and let me tell you I have never any pet hate anything so much as he hated that. Not sure if it applies to geese, but these will sure scare off smaller birds.

  12. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think this application requires a decided lack of stealth. Other then that your post is entirely reasonable.

  13. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by maliqua · · Score: 4, Insightful

    this isn't affecting the migration just dispersing the floc from a beach/park there is no shortage of available space on the river or bay for them to move on too, they just hang out there because people leave stuff for them to eat, if anything this is beneficial to the birds also to keep them a little further away from the public

  14. Not a drone by Captain+Hook · · Score: 1

    just a radio controlled aircraft

    --
    These comments are my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the other voices in my head.
    1. Re:Not a drone by firex726 · · Score: 1

      In the RC circle they usually are seen as drones and some have been impacted by those drone laws that get passed. Remote unmanned craft, operating under it's own power, with a human controlling it.

      The laws saying people can shoot down drones; they also mean these type of craft too.

  15. "Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by RevWaldo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm sensing a lot of people use the word 'drone' where 'R/C Plane', a decades-old technology, is more appropriate, simply because it sounds cooler. Is the a technical dividing line between the two?

    .

    1. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by maliqua · · Score: 1

      if the device has on board avionics to aid in control and navigation, predator drones are also remote controlled largely are they not?

    2. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by chuckinator · · Score: 4, Informative

      It's a different in regulations requiring additional flight system equipment and verification testing. RC aircraft are only permitted a flight ceiling below 400 ft and the operator must maintain visual line of sight with the craft at all times. Unmanned aircraft are allowed a much higher flight ceiling, but they must follow all FAA rules and guidelines regarding traffic control as other manned aircraft. However, the FAA is not yet allowing drones to operate in the same airspace with manned traffic and must have a specially defined flight zone that their operations are limited to. That will change come 2015 when the FAA has said that they will allow a mix of manned and unmanned aircraft traffic with priority status going to the manned systems. Also, unmanned aircraft must have the full suite of required avionics instruments, must pass rigorous series of flight tests, and must have the same passive radar detection and flight radio transponder required for manned aircraft.

    3. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by Your.Master · · Score: 2

      Well I google'd that for you because I was curious too.

      http://www.uav-drone.net/hobby-drones.htm#.UhO-s5LVDL8

      It seems like a functional definition is that a drone has either a mounted camera, or some means of operating outside of a line-of-sight controller (eg. simple AI autonomy, or a remote control that hooks into GPS or non-mounted cameras for control, etc.).

    4. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sensing a lot of people use the word 'drone' where 'R/C Plane', a decades-old technology, is more appropriate, simply because it sounds cooler. Is the a technical dividing line between the two? .

      It depends on who you're talking to and where you are. In the US the FAA doesn't make a distinction, it's all just Unmanned. And in most common conversation people use drone to simply mean "unmanned". In the past, the distinction used to be that a "drone" meant the craft could operate on its own without someone controlling it, as opposed to a remote controlled craft. As far as I know that distinction isn't really used any more, because many remote controlled craft now include at least a basic self-piloting function for when the remote link breaks, and most craft which normally operate on their own usually have some remote control over-ride features.

    5. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by geekoid · · Score: 3, Interesting

      this is a drone:
        some means of operating outside of a line-of-sight controller (eg. simple AI autonomy, or a remote control that hooks into GPS or non-mounted cameras for control, etc.).

      this is not:
      has either a mounted camera

      My R/C copter with a camera is not a drone.
      When I automate it it will be a drone.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    6. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by firex726 · · Score: 1

      You're right, there is no real difference save for size.

      A craft like that will have an onboard flight computer to help with attitude positioning, and possibly even GPS; and FPV camera modifications are relatively cheap/easy to setup.

    7. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      This is Canada, though. I imagine they have different regulations.

    8. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by casehardened · · Score: 1

      This is incorrect. The FAA issued _guidelines_ (AC 91-57) in 1981 suggesting that RC planes adhere to a 400 AGL ceiling. The AMA - the private RC pilot's association - has a 400 AGL ceiling within 3 miles of an airport, and requires VLOS and a spotter when flying first person view. Pilots, especially glider pilots, routinely exceed 400 feet, and one popular competition class (ALES) starts off with a climb to 200 meters.

    9. Re:"Drone" vs "R/C Plane"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not really, drones pilot themselves to a defined point and then the operator takes over if needed. The operator often lands and takes off the drone. Whereas the r/c operator usually see the plane.

  16. They should be using baby ducks! by Ultimate+Heretic · · Score: 1

    This is the proper response to geese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xqbv_wa-ns.

    1. Re:They should be using baby ducks! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is the proper response to geese

      No, THIS is the proper response to geese.

  17. Flocking behavior of mice by dorpus · · Score: 2

    Are there any Western records of mice that act like this?

    http://englishrussia.com/2013/08/19/strange-creature-no-the-mouse-line/

    1. Re:Flocking behavior of mice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Those are shrews, and yes, the wikipedia article even mentions the behavior. The babies hold the tails of the sibling in front of them, all attatched to the mother.

  18. Are we at peak drone? by Gothmolly · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Is a model plane now a drone? What about a paper airplane? Is an RC car a "land drone"? If I have a Capsela model in the bathtub with me, did I create a "water drone"?

    It's a tsunami of hyperbole.

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    1. Re:Are we at peak drone? by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's a tsunami of hyperbole.

      Now you're just exaggerating. ;-)

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Are we at peak drone? by OrangeTide · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The goal is to make the word drone meaningless. So when the government starts using police and spy agency drones against citizens we won't consider it a big deal.

      --
      “Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
    3. Re:Are we at peak drone? by Gothmolly · · Score: 1

      +1 and the thread to you, good sir.

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      I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    4. Re:Are we at peak drone? by Gravitron+5000 · · Score: 1

      It's a tsunami of hyperbole.

      Now you're just exaggerating. ;-)

      It's a hyperbole drone.

    5. Re:Are we at peak drone? by firex726 · · Score: 1

      Not really... It's not uncommon to see an RC aircraft referred to as a drone.

      Generally they need to be unmanned, operate/fly under their own power, and require a human pilot. Once you get into the FAA legal ease there is a difference but mainly in pilot training.

    6. Re:Are we at peak drone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      calling your R/C model a 'drone' is useful if you want to farm pork from the taxpayer.

  19. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by maliqua · · Score: 1

    Agreed we both know that a stealthed solution wouldn't be ideal but bear in mind I was suggesting the path i think our government would have taken. Not what i believed the most reasonable course of action is, those two things rarely line up

  20. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by gstoddart · · Score: 2, Informative

    Oddly, Alaskans actually respect the natural migration of Canadian Geese, and find the entire yearly event a treasure to protect. Shame on the Canadians!

    I don't know how many of the geese get up to Alaska, but huge sections of Canada become essentially overrun with Geese.

    Managing where they go can be a huge problem and a nuisance.

    I worked at a building once where the geese would nest in the medians in the parking lot. They'd routinely attack people going to and from their cars. I've seen huge sections of parks which are essentially covered in green goose-shit and which are unusable (and which can also be a health hazard).

    We do respect the migration, and as migratory birds they are protected -- but that doesn't mean that every damned place that literally hundreds (or thousands, or 10's of thousands) of geese move into can be left to have them take over.

    Sometimes, the sheer scale of the mess which can be caused by these things means you need to find ways to convince them to find another place to be.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  21. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by TWiTfan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You won't think Canada Geese are so much of a goddamned treasure when you live in an area where they stay year-round, grow to flocks of hundreds, poison every waterway in sight, and leave a carpet of goose-shit everywhere. They're a fucking nuisance in a LOT of places, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act desperately needs to be amended to make it legal to kill the fucking things. They have WAY overpopulated in large portions of North America.

    --
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  22. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Oddly the city of Ottawa, as a higher human population than the entire state of Alaska.

  23. Drone....not really? by argStyopa · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is it just me, or are we starting to use "drone" for pretty much anything that doesn't have a pilot actually sitting in it today?

    AFAIK, "drone" is really an autonomous vehicle that for at least SOME of its flight time, it's not directly under pilot control.

    I mean, it sure SOUNDS a lot cooler to say they use a "drone" than "a big radio control plane".

    --
    -Styopa
    1. Re:Drone....not really? by Flentil · · Score: 1

      It's not an RC plane, it's a Hexcoptor.

    2. Re:Drone....not really? by Deadstick · · Score: 1

      First they came for "hacker", and I said nothing...

    3. Re:Drone....not really? by kimgkimg · · Score: 2

      Surprised they need a manned mission for this. Seems like a sweeping pattern that could just be programmed to run at regular intervals. The drone would need to be autonomously charged somehow though.

  24. They come back the next day by Culture20 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sounds like it's not effective enough. Get some dogs. Better yet, remove Canadian Geese from the protected species list. I'd love to hunt these things (they're so unafraid of humans now that you could whack them with a club).

    1. Re:They come back the next day by Gravitron+5000 · · Score: 2

      There are golf courses that use border collies to convince canadian geese to move along. Apparently the geese don't appreciate being herded.

    2. Re:They come back the next day by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      I'd love to hunt these things (they're so unafraid of humans now that you could whack them with a club).

      That's a an odd definition of the word, 'hunt,' you have there.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    3. Re:They come back the next day by Jose · · Score: 1

      feel free to hunt away.
      Ontario MNR:
      "Hunting is an effective way to manage goose populations and prevent conflicts. Regulations, seasons and municipal bylaws must be followed. You may hunt geese in the open season with a valid hunting licence for migratory birds. You can also encourage hunting on your property. "

      --
      The basic sleazeware produced in a drunken fury by a bunch of UCBerkeley grad students was still the core of BIND. --PV
    4. Re:They come back the next day by Culture20 · · Score: 1

      Okay, "harvest". It's not quite slaughtering since they're not domesticated, but you're correct that it's not the active pursuit that is normally thought of as hunting.

    5. Re:They come back the next day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Was gonna say the same thing. Is it really so damn hard to find a dog and put it on this beach? I mean, hooooly shit, people today really are starting to reach new levels of retarded.

    6. Re:They come back the next day by Punko · · Score: 1

      Parents had trouble with geese years ago. They started letting the dog out to clear the beach head of geese. He'd charge down the lawn and put the binders on just before he got to the shore, but the geese would have moved into the water. Now years (3 or 4) after the dog has passed on, the geese are all over one neighbours lawn, get into the water, swim around their lawn and come up the beach onto the neighbour on the other side. It seems that avoidance of our place is embedded deeply now.

      I do miss the "apricot flash".

      --
      If only we could fall into a woman's arms without falling into her hands
    7. Re:They come back the next day by swb · · Score: 1

      I've heard that geese are pretty smart and will learn to avoid hunters or areas where they have been hunted. I think the lesson was "hunt early, and as far north as you can" because the birds you encounter will have seen fewer hunters and will be more inclined to land for feed and decoys.

      After they have been shot at a few times if the setup looks like what they've experienced before they will not fly low enough to be shot at nor land.

      There's also no telling the geese "coming back" are actually coming back, or whether they are different geese who see an empty beach and figure its up for grabs.

    8. Re:They come back the next day by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 2

      Go get a license and a shotgun, they are only protected like other migratory water fowl and aren't on any endangered species list. Go and attempt take your daily limit of sky carp every day when they are in season (I try to) and even if you don't like goose meat you can always give it away.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    9. Re:They come back the next day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      sky carp

      That's brilliant and insulting to carp all at the same time.

      I salute you, good sir.

    10. Re:They come back the next day by riverat1 · · Score: 2

      Whacking things with a club was probably one of the first forms of hunting that distinguished humans from other hunters.

    11. Re:They come back the next day by westlake · · Score: 1

      I'd love to hunt these things (they're so unafraid of humans now that you could whack them with a club)

      You won't be hunting within city limits.

      The fitness requirements are harsh. You have to be good with a gun.

      The family of "Duck Dynasty" banks its megabucks by selling supplies to hunters who will never be as good with a gun.

    12. Re:They come back the next day by mirix · · Score: 1

      Yeah. You are allowed to hunt them september until december, up to 8 a day. (with a permit, of course.)

      A neighbour used to hook us up with geese all the time. Not everyone likes the flavour, though.

      --
      Sent from my PDP-11
    13. Re:They come back the next day by Culture20 · · Score: 1

      I'd love to hunt these things (they're so unafraid of humans now that you could whack them with a club)

      You have to be good with a gun.

      club...

    14. Re:They come back the next day by westlake · · Score: 1

      club...

      Not in public and not on camera you won't --- the Canadians learned that lesson the hard way --- and not in the numbers that would make any difference.

    15. Re:They come back the next day by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      Geese are made of tasty rich meat. Goose lard makes awesome tasty donuts you can even give to your Jewish and Muslim friends. The people of Orleans county need to address the geese with "Get In My Belly!"

    16. Re:They come back the next day by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

      It's less the "whacking things with a club" element I question, but rather the use of the term "hunting" when referring to the practice of literally walking up to an animal and killing it, because it wasn't afraid of you. "To hunt" implies at least some sort of challenge.

      What OP is referring to is more accurately described as a slaughter.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  25. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Canadian Geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918. Unless there has been some specific exemption granted, this may be a treaty violation (usually, a misdemeaner).

    http://www.taftlaw.com/news/publications/detail/610-the-migratory-bird-treaty-act-what-can-businesses-do-about-federally-protected-canada-geese

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918

  26. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, those loud, noisy fucking geese that shit all over and stink up the fucking place. Oh No! Not Same! Not That! Anything but Shame!

  27. Please link to a video! by Laxori666 · · Score: 1

    Oh man, there must be a video link of this somewhere. Anyone willing to find one? All I found was this one about scaring one goose off a roof from the PoV of the copter but I want to see a 3rd-person view of the drone scuttling on the ground and scaring them off...

    1. Re:Please link to a video! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This request makes me think that there is an opportunity for a business here. Just allow visitors to a website to remotely control the drone!

  28. drone misuse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In US, they use drones to assassinate innocent civilians. In Canada, they use drones to shoo away the geese.

  29. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by xevioso · · Score: 4, Informative

    While amusing in this case, this treaty would likely not apply.

    The statute in the treaty makes it unlawful without a waiver to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill or sell birds listed therein ("migratory birds"). This includes the Canadian Goose. Piloting a drone into the middle of a stationary flock of geese constitutes none of these things. If the drone operator actually followed the birds, then yes, that would be "pursuing", but simply scaring the birds by flying into the midst of them as they are eating and pooping and doing other bird things wouldn't break the treaty, as far as I can tell.

  30. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by xevioso · · Score: 0

    These things are a menace. I lived in Colorado and they would routinely plant themselves into our apartment complex public space, making it unusable for long stretches of winter. If you were stupid enough to wander into the park area, a host of them would waddle up to you and attack, and they left a huge amount of green goose crap all over the place. If I had thought of using one of those little toy helicopters at the time to scare em off, I would have.

  31. Re:we decided to kill somebody by xevioso · · Score: 0

    Were the geese black? Was the man who piloted the drone white? If not, or if you have no information on this, then your article is irrelevant.

  32. Drone? Dog! by TimHunter · · Score: 1

    I used to live on a lake that had a permanent population of 60-80 Canda geese. Those bad boys were afraid of nothing and would hiss at you just for lookin' at 'em the wrong way. There was only one thing they couldn't tolerate: a dog. I'd see a bunch of 'em take off in a hurry for what looked like no good reason, then a minute later here'd come a dog, trotting along, minding his own business.

    Screw R/C planes. The best and probably cheapest way to get rid of geese is to get a Jack Russell terrier and let it start "herding" them. Two weeks, three tops, and those geese will be gone forever. He'll work for food and keep you warm at night.

    1. Re:Drone? Dog! by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 1

      Dog, yes. Generally border collies are used around here. These things are far smarter, last longer than any drone, and are self-replicating. The parents will even train the pups.

  33. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Fnordulicious · · Score: 3, Informative

    The only place in Alaska that geese stay year-round is near Juneau, as far as I know. But in places where they do stay year-round, like further down the coast, they can be a real pain. Their year-round residency is because of human habitat modification, making open green lawns that are highly appealing to them. They should be migrating but, like hummingbirds, decide to stay all year because of the easy food.

  34. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by TWiTfan · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No the problem is that we humans have killed off all their natural predators and don't have the balls to man-up and replace them. We have the same problem with deer in the area. People have stopped hunting deer, we've killed off all the wolves (because we tend not to like the idea of them attacking our kids and pets and shit)--and so they overpopulated and start becoming a nuisance.

    --
    The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
  35. Get that fucking nature out of here by 0racle · · Score: 1

    Decent people shouldn't have to put up with that natural world shit.

    --
    "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
    1. Re:Get that fucking nature out of here by Culture20 · · Score: 1

      In a real natural world, those geese would be in our bellies.

    2. Re:Get that fucking nature out of here by Jason+Levine · · Score: 1

      It's more a problem of the geese could wind up colliding with an airplane during takeoff/landing and causing a crash. (Killing the goose, obviously, as well as injuring/killing people.) The geese, of course, don't know this. They just see "patch of grass for us to eat on and poop on." By keeping the geese away, they are actually PROTECTING the geese (notice they aren't shooting or poisoning them) as well as airplane passengers/crew.

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  36. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh come on, thats totally a wild geese chase, they just try to hide the real purpose of those drones...

  37. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Then you go out and shoot wolves from helicopters.

  38. Re:we decided to kill somebody by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can't a cherubic boy just enjoy his Skittles and iced tea?

  39. Unemployed Border Collies by Lawrence_Bird · · Score: 2

    even the dogs are displace by technology

    http://www.snegeese.com/
    http://hardeybordercollies.com/id2.html

    just a few

  40. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Baloroth · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Do you have any idea how many millions of square miles in the US (much less Canada) are untouched by humans? Well over 90% of the US is undeveloped land. No, the geese aren't going to the "few locations untouched by humans", they're flocking to locations occupied by humans because humans chase away their predators and keep climate variations (especially during winter) to a minimum, to the point where many geese are no longer even bothering to migrate. Chasing them away from human habitations would do more to restore their natural patterns than to disrupt them.

    Plus, geese are vicious bastards who'll attack and chase animals much much larger than themselves. And they poop like crazy.

    --
    "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
  41. Attach some green lasers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    canadian geese freak the heck out when the see green lasers on the ground or especially the beam in the air. just don't blind them or other animals cause that's not cool.

  42. This will fail. by SoTerrified · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I used to work for a company that tried to market a tool to keep animals off the highway. But testing revealed that wild animals can become used to almost any stimulus over time. So the tool will work great for a while, then eventually fail. Drones are the same. Eventually the geese will learn not to fear the drone, and then they will happily munch away while it buzzes them. So this is a short term solution at best.

    1. Re:This will fail. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      But there's a significant difference between sensory stimuli and physical ASSAULT. Bright lights, loud noises, etc you're right anyone can get used to. Having a giant insect-machine buzz you and physically swooping and diving at you implies to an animal that they are under attack for intruding on someone's territory.

    2. Re:This will fail. by LordLimecat · · Score: 1

      You've never been to any boardwalk that has seagulls and lots of children, have you? Kids will always run at the seagulls, but a lot of the time the gulls wont do more than just hop away because they know theres no real danger.

      It sounds like you havent really seen many gees, either-- they can become so unafraid of humans that theyll charge bicycles and cars, knowing that the vehicle will inevitably give way before them.

    3. Re:This will fail. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's a gees?

  43. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by hawguy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    These things are a menace. I lived in Colorado and they would routinely plant themselves into our apartment complex public space, making it unusable for long stretches of winter.

    If *you* think it's unusable now, how do you think the Geese feel about an apartment complex taking over *their* public space?

    If you were stupid enough to wander into the park area, a host of them would waddle up to you and attack, and they left a huge amount of green goose crap all over the place. If I had thought of using one of those little toy helicopters at the time to scare em off, I would have.

    I think the problem with the drone plan is that just like how the Geese got used to humans in your apartment complex and now show no fear of them, they'll eventually get used to the drones unless the drones start attacking and killing them.

  44. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1

    just pretend he said canadian charter or rights and freedoms

    thank goodness its a private contractor or the government likely would have invested millions into research and invented some sort of stealthed beach mobile to do the task

    For some reason, when I read this the first image that popped into my head was a Canuck with his hockey stick hiding inside a giant, camouflage beach ball...

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  45. Re:we decided to kill somebody by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Shot him in the back, huh?

    Good point. Wasn't so much of the Traytable brouhaha over the "fact*" that Zimmerman had shot Martin "in the back?"

    So, to be clear: Defending yourself from a thug by shooting him: "Troubling, emotionally charged events which require us to have a dialogue on race."

    Shooting a random stranger in the back: "Nothing to see here, move along."

    Have I got that right?

    * which totally was never a fact, and indeed, never suggested by anyone with even passing familiarity with the case

  46. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by realityimpaired · · Score: 1

    I can assure you Ottawa is not taking away habitat or nesting space from the geese... fuckers attack me every morning on my morning commute by bicycle as they've laid claim to the bike paths, and I pass several beaches (that are not open to the public for swimming) that are inundated with them.

  47. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just get a license, they grant them all the time.

    A duck/goose hunting license is only a few bucks in Canada, and I'd assume it is the same in the US, seeing how popular duck hunting is.

  48. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Mashiki · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Perhaps if humans hadn't encroached on their natural habitat they wouldn't be such a nuisance.

    I'm going to just call you a damned idiot. The reason why we have so many canadian geese now is because the government back in the 70's instituted programs to reduce hunting and protect them. It's the same reason why you find deer in suburban areas, where the areas haven't expanded, and the population in the wild has exploded so much that they're starving to death due to a lack of predators. A very fine example of over populations of deer in the US: Michigan, and Ohio.

    Up here in Canadaland, we have an assload of wetland areas. There are three in my area where the geese stay all winter, they never used to. They stay because the provincial government got this brilliant idea to feed the damned things all winter long. Carpet of goose shit indeed, we don't use drones here, we use starter pistols and blanks in shotguns and rifles to scare them away.

    --
    Om, nomnomnom...
  49. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 3, Interesting

    These things are a menace. I lived in Colorado and they would routinely plant themselves into our apartment complex public space, making it unusable for long stretches of winter.

    If *you* think it's unusable now, how do you think the Geese feel about an apartment complex taking over *their* public space?

    If you were stupid enough to wander into the park area, a host of them would waddle up to you and attack, and they left a huge amount of green goose crap all over the place. If I had thought of using one of those little toy helicopters at the time to scare em off, I would have.

    I think the problem with the drone plan is that just like how the Geese got used to humans in your apartment complex and now show no fear of them, they'll eventually get used to the drones unless the drones start attacking and killing them.

    Actually, they probably won't. The reason for this is that the drone is using a standard bird of prey flight attack vector. This should also be fairly successful against seagulls and pigeons (although due to the lack of flocking of those two birds, others will quickly return to take the place of those who left).

  50. STOP USING DRONE by geekoid · · Score: 1

    and WEAPON interchangeably.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:STOP USING DRONE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      STOP SHOUTING.

    2. Re:STOP USING DRONE by ScentCone · · Score: 2

      STOP SHOUTING.

      Actually, that's one of things it's worth shouting about. Some weapons are drones, but not all drones are weapons. Yet we have people shouting OMFG EVIL DRONES! every time we use one instead of risking a chopper load of guys with a 1000-mile supply chain to wack a crazy murdering jihaddist running an underwear bomb shop in the middle of the Yemeni desert. And then when a local PD uses one instead of a human-scale helicopter (to avoid spending hundreds of dollars an hour to keep on in the air) while doing SAR or something similar, the freak-out crowd can't get their heads past "drone strike" blah blah blah.

      They're just tools.

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
  51. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by geekoid · · Score: 1

    , we use starter pistols and blanks in shotguns and rifles to scare them away.

    which would cost more the drone. plus more waste, and inefficiencies.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  52. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Given that the geese occupied that space long before humans moved in and developed Ottawa, the geese probably see you as a hazardous trespasser, and are probably more correct in their assessment than you are in yours.

  53. They are unafraid because they can hold their own. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'd love to hunt these things (they're so unafraid of humans now that you could whack them with a club).

    Search for the video of the goose charging and chasing off a gorilla.

  54. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    These things are a menace. I lived in Colorado and they would routinely plant themselves into our apartment complex public space, making it unusable for long stretches of winter.

    If *you* think it's unusable now, how do you think the Geese feel about an apartment complex taking over *their* public space?

    .

    Actually the geese were not there before the apartment complex was built, building code in many areas requires a retaining pond for the down spout water to collect and naturally be absorbed into the ground. Geese love these ponds and will nest all around them.

  55. Re:we decided to kill somebody by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    From the Post story: ...
    Mr. Fischer said he was deeply angered by the latest tragedy and said Australia turning their backs on America would help send a stern message about the need for tighter gun control. ...
    "This is the bitter harvest and legacy of the policies of the NRA that even blocked background checks for people buying guns at gunshows.

    ****
    Yes, the real villain here is the gun they used. Presumably, everyone in Australia would be happy as pigs in shit if they had beaten him to death with a brick.

  56. Canada GeeseCanadian Geese by Njoyda+Sauce · · Score: 1

    Canada Geese have a large range (including Canada) and may have the country as a namesake, but should not be called Canadian Geese - unless they live there I guess.

    --

    You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever.
  57. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 1

    ****the problem is that we humans have killed off all their natural predators***
    Stop right there my friend, that is the problem everything else stems from this problem, one caused by the aforementioned unimaginably stupid humans. See? we do agree!

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  58. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 1

    As regards their poop, it is not malicious, I believe that birds have no anal sphincter muscle. This makes sense when viewed from a biological perspective as a flying animal has zero need to store feces. Even less than a non-flying one.

    The problem with the touched land is that humans will invariably (like other species) flock to (no pun intended) the prime land. The land with water, relatively more sheltered and temperate, for the region. Where there is game, maybe even including the innocent and evil geese. So we go and start taking their habitat, build up our cities, and the animals who were there all along are now encroaching on "our cities", right? They might be genetically programmed to always return to the same area, so, they aren't going to leave just cause some big blocky trees are now proliferating. If there also happens to be abundant although highly processed garbage food available, why they'll avail themselves of that as well. My point is that they were there first and may have been part of the reason humans settled there, I think goose tastes good though I've never had it.

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  59. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Muros · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Do you have any idea how many millions of square miles in the US (much less Canada) are untouched by humans? Well over 90% of the US is undeveloped land.

    Those are two entirely different things. Untouched by humans would indicate that the land is in its natural state, and if you use that definition it is a lot closer to 0% than 90%. It may be undeveloped and unused, but the wetlands have been mostly destroyed, and the megafauna slaughtered. These both have a massive effect on the ecology, sometimes for hundreds or even thousands of miles around.

  60. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

    poison every waterway in sight

    That's an act of terror. These geese have been trained by terrorists, and should be shot.

    Probably.

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  61. How is this a solution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The geese are not "going away" "for a while". They just bothering someone else for the time being, which means now they are bothering two different groups of people per day instead of one.

    And unless drones start hurting or killing the geese, the geese will begin to ignore them.

    If the geese are overpopulated and have become pests, just issue hunting licenses.

  62. Re:we decided to kill somebody by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Feeding the trolls.. Ok lets play.

      Firstly have you ever tried to have a Brick fight with an Australian? The Australian will win every time, and have had the world championship since 1997.
      Secondly have you ever tried to beat someone to death with a brick? Lets just say it takes a fair commitment to do it, not something that happens on a whim.
      Thirdly, mr hypocrite. How are those Freedom fries tasting? Using your logic the real villain during 9/11 was the inanimate commercial planes they used.

      I would also like to clear up a few things. Australia has plenty of guns. Australia produces Olympic shooters at a per capita rate that makes the US look like they are England.

      It is about responsibility. Australia moved with the times and came up with perfectly sane gun laws, from the conservatives of politics, G.W Bush closest foreign national leader for gods sake, Bush even gave him a medal for it!

  63. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 1

    I'm just going to call you a baboso (I assume you like to start conversations with insults and am happy to oblige).
    The reason the deer and geese have no natural predators is because you and the other humans have killed them off because you didn't want your offspring or pets or domesticated animals to be killed by them. The problem is that you did encroach on their environment, these wetland areas are not the same as a natural habitat, with predators and such being in the mix. The ignorance of humans to not realized that destroying a predator and not produce an imbalanced system is all that the "geese problem" is highlighting.

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  64. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by sjames · · Score: 2

    Birds are smarter than we give them credit for. I'm wondering how long it will take for the geese to bury the drone under a mound of goose crap.

  65. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by TWiTfan · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yes, because we humans are not animals, and are not part of the natural ecosystem of earth. And we are responsible for every extinction and every problem that the earth has ever had or will ever have. So we humans should just all commit suicide so that beautiful Mother Earth can thrive without our poisonous presence. Since you are clearly her most noble guardian, how about you go first, my hero?

    --
    The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
  66. Re:we decided to kill somebody by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Using your logic the real villain during 9/11 was the inanimate commercial planes they used."

    Sorry I really don't get the point you are trying to make.

    Perhaps you as well didn't get mine as the op is quite heavy on the sarcasm.

    Let's try a thought experiment; if the yutes killed this man premeditated, that is deliberatly, the gun part of the story really becomes irrelevant. Mentioning a brick is arbitrary, they could have killed him any number of ways and presumably if a gun was not availaible they would still be able to accomplish the task. Brick, knife, car, rock, it doesn't matter to a determined individual.

    Oh and by the way all existing gun control laws are totally irellevant as no one under 21 is allowed by law to have a gun, they were already breaking the law and more laws would have no impact here.

  67. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by bmk67 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Considering that geese bury *everything* under a mound of goose crap...

  68. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by mcrbids · · Score: 2

    That poop is part of a powerful, natural cycle of nutrient propagation inland. Kill the birds, kills the large animals, and you break this cycle and end up with Australia.

    --
    I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.
  69. Meanwhile on Isla Sorna by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the drones are at a very convient biting height for the geese.

  70. Major thread by c · · Score: 1

    Now I'm the terrorists to use teams of drones to herd geese into oncoming aircraft.

    --
    Log in or piss off.
    1. Re:Major thread by c · · Score: 1

      I suppose I could have previewed that. Note to self: don't post on slashdot while buying a house.

      --
      Log in or piss off.
  71. Pick up the poop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Two questions:

    1. Could they not just hire some cheaper labor to pick up the poop for this kind of money? The geese are eventually going to learn that they outweigh the drone and that it's not a threat.
    2. Am I the only person that would select this beach over the others because of the geese? They sure beat other beach goers.

  72. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Mashiki · · Score: 1

    That's fine. After all, your post still continues to make no sense. If it did, then you would know that--indeed in Canada wetland areas are the same as natural habitat. That there are plenty of predators in the mix, there aren't enough though to keep the population in check. And you're still ignorant enough to believe that neither deer nor geese have natural predators. I welcome you to take a trip to the "wilds of canada" and find out exactly what happens in that lovely circle of life.

    --
    Om, nomnomnom...
  73. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/13-animals-hunted-to-extinction/hunted-to-death
    http://www.huntercourse.com/blog/2011/08/10-animals-hunted-or-nearly-hunted-to-extinction/
    Not to mention Bison, Bald Eagle, Salmon (destroyed habitat), many whale species.
    Not all, there were some mass extinction events due to climate changes (ice age cycling etc), but we're the only species that can claim such a wide variety of eradicated other species. Don't forget all the deer and geese predators that have been hunted into ineffectiveness.
    We are certainly responsible for many of the problems that afflict us and other species: ocean pollution, waterway pollution, marshland destruction, etc. I am honored that you would even consider me her most noble guardian, truly I am, I must protest that I am but a humble observer not worthy of being considered her guardian. To you though I offer the honor of living with the animals which in truth we are, show us our animal nature by living among them with tools, clothing, and shelter only of your own manufacture. I promise to soon and follow in your footsteps.

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  74. Misattribution to OP by LeadSongDog · · Score: 1

    It seems I'm being misattributed the quotation atop this story by the gnomes behind the scenes at /. What I actually submitted was rather different: http://slashdot.org/submission/2890813/drone-strikes-for-public-health

    --
    Oh, I'm sorry sir, I thought you were referring to me, Mr. Wensleydale.
  75. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Mashiki · · Score: 1

    which would cost more the drone. plus more waste, and inefficiencies.

    Really? Can you explain how a $0.03/shot costs more than a $56k-140k drone.

    --
    Om, nomnomnom...
  76. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 1

    ****That there are plenty of predators in the mix, there aren't enough though to keep the population in check. ***
    hmm, not to be mean but, your sentence contains a logical flaw. Let me know if you need me to break it down for you.

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  77. What about hawks? by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 1

    I've seen domesticated hawks used to scare fowl off of runways which seems to have more "staying power".

    --
    I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
    1. Re:What about hawks? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you have any idea what the size difference is between the two birds?

    2. Re:What about hawks? by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 1

      No, nor do I know what it would be relevant. Which is why my post is stated in the form of a QUESTION.

      --
      I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
    3. Re:What about hawks? by nbauman · · Score: 1

      They tried that in New York City.

      The hawk grabbed a small dog and tried to fly off with it. The lady who was walking the dog got into a tug of war with the hawk and started screaming. The hawk finally let go.

      It got a lot of bad publicity in the newspapers. They cancelled the program.

      I thought it was a basically good idea and was worth a try, but I don't own a small dog.

    4. Re:What about hawks? by BattleApple · · Score: 1

      Maybe geese are wired to protect their young from birds of prey. The instinct might kick in even if they don't have young to protect.

  78. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Since this is is in Canada, the treaty may apply but not US law. Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Birds_Convention_Act

  79. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 2

    Another thing to keep in mind is that the geese being the birdbrains that they are, seem to prefer a predator free zone (your city) to the natural one. The solution clearly is to let loose the predators in the city, but I imagine that wouldn't go to well with the humans who would of course suddenly realize they aren't apex predators at all.

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  80. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Orders of magnitude here

    A "shot" is more like $0.30 at a min, an order higher.
    the drone in question might be worth a whole $1000, 2 orders less

    even if you are right about what is cheaper than what don't inflate you numbers to try and prove something with hyperbole. a total 3 orders of magnitude off is a serious fail. Do you work for the government?

    USD of course, conversions are for someone else.

  81. Why not a simple analog solution? by cayenne8 · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Why not open goose season for as long as you need it and let hunters shoot them for food?

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    1. Re:Why not a simple analog solution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because it is not the hunting season. They don't want to bird dead, they just want them to feed, and more importantly poop, elsewhere.

    2. Re:Why not a simple analog solution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and its in the middle of a city.....

    3. Re:Why not a simple analog solution? by cellocgw · · Score: 1

      In all seriousness: they taste really really bad. Nothing like farm-raised geese which are among other things, a different species.

      --
      https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
  82. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Way to read your own fucking links:

    The MBTA’s application to Canada geese provides a helpful illustration of the law’s impact. Any activities to control Canada geese populations on property, other than those to scare off the geese or prevent them from using property or parts of property, generally require a permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

  83. Airport Bird Clearance? by ndrw · · Score: 1

    I wonder if the same technology might be used to help clear runways and airspace around busy airports? I know that bird strikes are extremely expensive on commercial airliners, this might be a cheap alternative.

    1. Re:Airport Bird Clearance? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wonder if the same technology might be used to help clear runways and airspace around busy airports? I know that bird strikes are extremely expensive on commercial airliners, this might be a cheap alternative.

      You know, airliners are like really big drones.

      On a serious note, some places use trucks with loudspeakers driving up and down runways before takeoffs and landings.

  84. "Drone?" by CohibaVancouver · · Score: 1

    Effing sick and tired of the word 'drone' being used to describe everything these days. This is a remote-controlled helicopter, not an effing 'drone.'

  85. Dogs everywhere say "wtf" by Karmashock · · Score: 1

    This a job a dog would do better and cheaper. Just saying.

    --
    I've decided to stop wasting my time responding to AC trolls/sockpuppets... so if you want a response from me... login.
    1. Re:Dogs everywhere say "wtf" by BattleApple · · Score: 1

      I'm willing to bet you could even make money and get rid of the geese at the same time by getting a group of people to sign up for fitness classes, then you have them run up and down the beach, scaring the geese off. As bold as geese can be, they're not just going to sit there when a herd of fatties comes charging at them.

  86. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by bmo · · Score: 1

    As regards their poop, it is not malicious

    Says the person who has never slipped on Canadian goose shit.

    If there also happens to be abundant although highly processed garbage food available,

    Canadian geese are never found at the city dump. They can be mostly found in civilization pooping on manicured lawns, which they seem to love eating, especially if it has a water feature.

    That said, seagulls and pigeons are the true winged rats.

    --
    BMO

  87. Allright, that's it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They've gone too far now, so we're going to train flocks of Geese to chase off drones, we'll see how the drone pilots cope with real time dog... errr, geese fights.

    Then we'll gonna cross breed them with pigeons so they'll all want to land and roost on every drone they see, not too airworthy with 1,000 trained geese/pigeons cross breeds sitting on the drone.

    Then we'll rule the sky!

    (que evil laugh) HA, HA, HA!

    This message brought to you by PITA Pigeon Insurgency Terrorist Association, AKA Pain In The Ass.

  88. Geese are hot-heads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They will attack anything (including people), if they feel genuinely threatened. Obviously, they can not defeat a more powerful animal in battle if they are not successful in scaring it off, but I would not deploy my $$$($?) RC toy against a flock of agitated geese.

  89. Geese are everywhere.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Next thing you know they'll be telling Canadians that the nightly drone noise is to protect them from geese.

    And the funny thing, people will believe it.

  90. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by roc97007 · · Score: 2

    Yes, because we humans are not animals, and are not part of the natural ecosystem of earth. And we are responsible for every extinction and every problem that the earth has ever had or will ever have. So we humans should just all commit suicide so that beautiful Mother Earth can thrive without our poisonous presence. Since you are clearly her most noble guardian, how about you go first, my hero?

    Or, to put it in geek terms, this sysadmin job would be a hell of a lot easier if there were no users.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  91. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by dwywit · · Score: 1

    Try this - it will make your cycling a bit more strenuous, though:

    buy a goose-predator-shaped kite (or 2 or 3 of different species for variety), tie it to your bike seat on a sping-loaded line, and pedal off. The kite starts to fly up and behind you; the faster you go, the higher the kite flies, and the earlier it gets seen by the geese ahead of you.

    BAM, geese fly away before you reach them.

    --
    They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom
  92. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by ls671 · · Score: 1

    just pretend he said canadian charter or rights and freedoms

    Which is part of the Canadian constitution...

    http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html

    --
    Everything I write is lies, read between the lines.
  93. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I could say more about it but I'm under a gaggle order.

  94. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Migratory Bird Treaty Act desperately needs to be amended to make it legal to kill the fucking things

    It is actually one of the things that confuses me when I read this article: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/06/28/14548891.html. The gist of it is that a woman stopped on the highway to allow ducklings to pass, and she was charged for it (caused a fatal accident). So the moral that I got out of that incident is, if you see animals crossing the highway, run over it (if you can't avoid it, of course).

    Now what happens if you replace the ducklings with Canadian geese? You will get fined under this migratory act if you injure them. You are not allowed to stop on the highway. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

  95. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by hawguy · · Score: 0

    These things are a menace. I lived in Colorado and they would routinely plant themselves into our apartment complex public space, making it unusable for long stretches of winter.

    If *you* think it's unusable now, how do you think the Geese feel about an apartment complex taking over *their* public space?

    .

    Actually the geese were not there before the apartment complex was built, building code in many areas requires a retaining pond for the down spout water to collect and naturally be absorbed into the ground. Geese love these ponds and will nest all around them.

    Ahh so humans created an inviting environment for them and now are complaining because the geese accepted the invitation and are using the nice facilities provided for them?

  96. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Funny, that's exactly what they say about "humans".

  97. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Strider- · · Score: 4, Funny

    They are Canadian Geese so the Constitution doens't apply

    Eh? They're loud, obnoxious, and leave shit everywhere. Clearly they're American. ;)

    --
    ...si hoc legere nimium eruditionis habes...
  98. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Strider- · · Score: 2

    Oddly, Alaskans actually respect the natural migration of Canadian Geese, and find the entire yearly event a treasure to protect. Shame on the Canadians!

    Actually in many places, the geese have become non-migratory. (There are actually several different subspecies, some are prone to finding a comfy spot and just staying there 12 months a year). The resident goose population in the Vancouver area, for example, is huge, and discharging long guns in the heart of the city is probably not the wisest thing to do. Besides, from what I'm told, canada goose tastes horrible.

    --
    ...si hoc legere nimium eruditionis habes...
  99. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That 90% claim ignores land used for crops, for grazing and for forestry. Facts don't seem to matter for Slashdot points, though.

  100. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by TubeSteak · · Score: 2, Interesting

    but simply scaring the birds by flying into the midst of them as they are eating and pooping and doing other bird things wouldn't break the treaty, as far as I can tell.

    It's considered harassing wildlife and is illegal almost everywhere as part of normal wildlife protection laws.

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
  101. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    All the parks around me locally have tons of Canadian goose crap and its really nasty smelling when its hot or rainy. Canada should have to pay for the clean up efforts (none so far) so we can once again enjoy our parks. Where can I get one of the hexacopters? At Canada's expense! Jeese!

  102. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by mjwx · · Score: 1

    Plus, geese are vicious bastards who'll attack and chase animals much much larger than themselves. And they poop like crazy.

    Indeed, I used to be a Canadian before I took a Goose to the knee.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  103. So an Estes rocket is now a... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    SCUD?

    Granted they are equally accurate at 100 miles...

  104. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    " geese are vicious bastards who'll attack and chase animals much much larger than themselves. And they poop like crazy. "

    Wow, I thought you were talking about humans, or at least Americans, for a moment there.

  105. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by TWiTfan · · Score: 1

    there were some mass extinction events due to climate changes

    And by "some," you of course mean the VAST, VAST MAJORITY. Anything humanity has done has been a drop in the bucket compared to what Mother Nature can do when she wants to. Just ask anything left from the Permian period. Oh wait, you can't.

    --
    The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
  106. There is always an easier solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    this is what happens when you ban dogs on beaches. The water fowl take over because they don't fear humans. Just let us bring our dogs to the beach and the problem disappears. This problem is compounded at least in the area I live because they ban dogs on all the prime beach locations and then mark the dog beaches where the birds want to hang out and feed, but because the dogs are there all the birds are forced back to the "human" beaches.

  107. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by losfromla · · Score: 1

    uh, I'm not too much into hyperbole so I thought that the words "mass extinction events" pretty well covered it.

    --
    Only I can judge you.
  108. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strikes on Canindian Gee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    NO, they are from Quebec!

  109. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Reziac · · Score: 1

    There are still millions of square miles of habitat, including wetlands, all over the U.S. and Canada, which have not and never will be touched by humans in any significant way. Take a look at a map. Better yet, visit central Canada or Montana or North Dakota or anywhere else with plenty of potholes and large shallow lakes.

    --
    ~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?
  110. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Reziac · · Score: 1

    When you protect one part of the ecosystem, it can overgrow its bounds even if the predator level stays the same. This is what has happened with deer and geese. There are actually MORE coyotes now than there were in the past, they fill pretty much the same niche as wolves, and they can't keep up.

    Of course the reverse happens when you selectively protect the predators (see reintroduced wolves vs elk).

    --
    ~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?
  111. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by BattleApple · · Score: 1

    "Honey, which beach do you want to bring the kids to today? The one with the geese, or the one with the guy that fires a shotgun at random intervals?"

  112. Sorry, eh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It should broadcast a verbal apology as it is shooing them off.

  113. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Translating from goose-ese: "These humans are awful, you won't think they are a treasure to be preserved if you live in an area they have taken over and infested. They spread their poisons, toxins, and pollution everywhere... they bury everything in garbage. They are destroying the planet. They have WAY overpopulated in large portions of North America. Not to mention most other regions of the planet."

  114. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Muros · · Score: 1

    Ok, there are probably some places that are largely unchanged. But look at the Mississippi. It was at least a mile wide for a large part of its course, back in the day. Now it runs in a narrow channel to the sea, minus what we take out to purify for our needs. That is a major continental change in wetlands. Just that 1 river.

  115. Re:Unconstitutional Drone Strike on Canadian Geese by Reziac · · Score: 1

    Now I'm wondering when you last looked at the Mississippi. Narrow? By what definition?

    If you want a river that's actually changed, inspect the Colorado or Sacramento or L.A. river channels, all either sucked dry or built over.

    --
    ~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?