Hunters, suburbanites take on unflappable bird (Canada Goose)

Detroit News ^ | 9-8-03 | Francis X Donnelly

[Dan from Michigan]

SOUTHFIELD -- Everyone knows that Canadians are a polite, honest people who wouldn't dream of imposing on their neighbors to the south.

But have you met their geese?

The Canada goose, or, as some locals call them, flying rats, swarm Michigan's fields and streams with no intention of leaving. Ever.

[brianl703]

I never saw the ones around there get startled by anything. They're bold and stupid.

[presidio9]

Goose meat is extremely greasy.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Our border collies got one of them to give the signal and about twenty took to the air leaving airborne "torpedos" as they flew. (Maybe the word is out on border collies, because ours had no formal geese training, but the birds did not like them around. BTW, they were leashed, and could not have really herded the flock.)

[Fearless Flyers]

My own personal protest of the new airline security measures that force us to remove our shoes before we get on the plane.

I play a round of golf before I go to the airport. Just before they are about to touch the shoes and put them through the scanner, I shout urgently hold it. They turn to me with a shocked look on their faces and then I inform them I just played golf in those shoes and they should be careful how they handle them.

I like to let them know what the government is making them shovel, it gets their attention and gives me a little satisfaction. Not much but a little.