Sioux Falls Regional Airport Dealing with Familiar Problem

It's that time of the year again. The time when a lot of us head to the skies to enjoy in some far-off place with friends and family.

But as we flock to the Sioux Falls Regional Airport to make our escape, another flock is  moving into the area, and that could be very dangerous to travelers.

Sioux Falls Animal Control is issuing its annual reminder about large numbers of Canada geese migrating into Sioux Falls as temperatures drop and ponds freeze in rural areas.

That influx of birds along portions of the Big Sioux River near the airport's runways could present a safety hazard for airplanes, as collisions with birds can result in broken windshields and damaged engines.

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In an attempt to solve the problem, Animal Control along with the South Department of Game, Fish and Parks will be using pyrotechnics and sound cannons to scare geese from quarry ponds east of the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds, the Elmwood Golf Course, and at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, beginning Wednesday (December 18).

The goal of this program is to reduce the number of geese flying in and out of those areas, making it safer for airplanes.

Sound cannons are a humane method of scaring geese. The cannons are safe and ecologically friendly because no chemicals or poisons are used. The cannon is pressure-regulated to create a sonic blast with no projectiles. The cannons pose no danger to the public. The cannons will go off several times during the day and will not be used at night.