City Beach goose fight goes wild
A coyote looks out over Sandpoint City Beach as a flock of geese out in the water keep their distance. Seven of the coyote decoys now surround the park in an effort to deter the geese from taking up residence at the beach. (Photo by MARY MALONE)
SANDPOINT — Geese have terrorized Sandpoint City Beach for many years, which is why city officials hope a pack of coyotes will do the trick.
Not to worry, the coyotes are simply decoys designed to deter the wayward waterfowl.
In 2009, the city sought to re-home a gaggle of domesticated geese that were introduced to the area several years prior by a community member, according to Daily Bee archives. In addition to the mess they made, the geese would show aggressive behavior to protect their young.
When the problem persisted, the city purchased a $21,000 piece of equipment to lift and sift goose droppings from sandy areas, though it was not as effective on grass. The geese defecate on the sidewalks as well.
In 2014, the city hired Randy Curless and his trained border collies to haze the geese, which has shown some success, according to city officials.
"So we are going to continue with the dogs, though not as much," said Parks and Recreation director Kim Woodruff. "We are basically taking our allocated resources for geese and investing in the decoys, and also the live dogs."
Coyotes and other canine decoys adorn the front lawn of The Coeur d'Alene Resort and the docks near Cedars Floating Restaurant. After learning about the program in the neighboring county in February, members of the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Commission advocated for the coyotes. Since that time, some commission members and several city staff members went to Coeur d'Alene and looked at their use of the coyotes and the results.
Woodruff said he spoke with those in charge of the Coeur d'Alene program who said they were having "some success," with the decoys.
As of this week, seven coyotes took over the grounds, with plans to add five or six more, Woodruff said. The coyotes will be moved periodically so they are not in the same spot all the time, Woodruff said, and then Curless will come through with the trained dogs.
"That way, there is kind of a mix and, hopefully, geese psychology — who knows — but the plan is to make the decoys more effective by augmenting with the trained herded dogs," Woodruff said.
Curless' dogs are certified working dogs, which is why they are permitted at the beach with their handler on those occasions, Woodruff said. He reminds the public that dogs, even on leash, are not permitted at City Beach at any time.
Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.