Are props & gear only way to remove airport wildlife?

[Todd82]

See if Hercules and Ned from CRW want to come south for a new challenge?

Meet CRW’s Wildlife Canines: Hercules & Ned

At West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW), keeping the airfield safe is a top priority— and two of our most dedicated team members are covered in fur! Meet Hercules and Ned, the hardworking canines behind CRW’s Wildlife Management Program. Hercules, an 8-year-old Border Collie, has...

flycrw.com

 

[Skip Miller]

The NY state DEC is actually quite cooperative when it comes to removing wildlife that is a hazard to aviation safety. We do try to use non-lethal means first, however. Transient and resident geese have been a periodic problem at our airport, with a pond off the north end. The DEC was happy with us using lethal means to alleviate the issue, if necessary, but we found that some appropriately placed low wires around the pond edge and a few rubber wolves that get moved around periodically do a decent job. I do a double-take every time a taxi out to take off on RWY 17 when I see the rubber wolves in the grass. The guys who mow the airport move them around each week, so you never know where they will show up.

I lived on a lake, and had a problem with Canada Geese on the lawn. I bought a selection of rubber snakes to frighten them off. Total failure!

I built a low fence out of broken TV antennae pieces and string. This also ended in failure. However, as soon as the goslings hatched, they would cross under the fence. Mom and Dad Goose could not tolerate the goslings being separated by a barrier, no matter how flimsy. They declared the lawn to be a no gosling zone!

The goose self-imposed prohibition lasted for about three generations after. Even without the fence. The lawn was imprinted in their little goose minds as taboo for geese.

Worked for me!

-Skip

 

[Ghery]

One year, at the F-class Long Range Rifle National Championships, at the Whittington Center near Raton, NM, competition was halted to clear a buck and a few doe pronghorn that were milling about at 900yds downrange. We had about 90 competitors firing at the 1000yd line with the bullets clearing the animals by about 15ft. They could care less. The range officers got in a pick up and chased them around for about 20 minutes until they decided to vacate. On day 3, the same thing happened with a few mule deer. Once they acclimate to the sounds and goings on, wildlife can be quite comfortable in situations that would make humans balk.

I am a range safety officer at our local gun club. Deer pay no attention to shooters. They've heard gunshots and we're not shooting at them, so they pay no attention. I had to shut the range down so we could chase the same pair of deer 3 times in one day. Stupid forest rats (as my wife and I call them when they are eating her flowers).

 

[Half Fast]

I am a range safety officer at our local gun club. Deer pay no attention to shooters. They've heard gunshots and we're not shooting at them, so they pay no attention. I had to shut the range down so we could chase the same pair of deer 3 times in one day. Stupid forest rats (as my wife and I call them when they are eating her flowers).

I used to shoot trap one night a week at our club, and there were often several deer downrange after dark. The noise didn't bother them a bit, and I suspect they were even having shot rain on them occasionally, but they didn't seem to mind.