By Kate Bouey

Geese cull put off for 2020

Feb 24, 2020 | 5:05 PM

Vernon council has narrowly defeated a proposed $41,000 plan to cull geese living at Kin Beach and Swan Lake.

Mayor Victor Cumming says the 3-3 vote at Monday’s meeting means the plan will not proceed this year and is “at least a year away.”

He says a deeper conversation is needed with the Okanagan Indian Band and RDNO Electoral Area B about the growing goose population.

Councillor Dalvir Nahal was in favour of the cull, as were councillors Scott Anderson and Brian Quiring.

“Either we use Kin Beach as a beach or leave it to the geese,” said Nahal. “I’m totally in favour of culling. We’ve tried addling and it’s not working.”

Charger rollout

Phased approach planned for EV chargers at Vernon ALC

Apr 24, 2026

Secondary Dwellings

Coldstream considering more housing on agricultural lands

Apr 24, 2026

Wildfire Risks

Okanagan's Fire Danger Rating already up to Moderate

Apr 23, 2026

Both Coun. Akbal Mund and Kelly Fehr admitted being swayed by their kids who opposed a cull.

Mund also pointed out a cull had gone on for three years in Parksville, and he suggested it wasn’t really working there.

“Let’s look at the alternatives before we do that,” Mund suggested.

City staff had recommended a “kill program” to reduce the goose population by up to 150.

“The kill day would be during the period when the geese moult; mid to late June. They would be rounded up into a trailer and taken to a location to be dispatched,” said Kendra Kryszak, parks and public spaces manager, in a report to council.

The city is currently part of an egg addling program and uses scare tactics like air horns and dogs, but geese numbers continue to grow especially at Kin Beach where 145 geese were observed in 2019 surveys.

Councillor Kari Gares was not present at Monday’s meeting.

by Kate Bouey

View Comments