Goose Hunter Fires Back

Dale Vidulich says he isn't a careless hunter.

The outdoorsman is taking exception to comments made by an Oliver resident, who claims he is afraid to go outside because of goose hunters shooting near his home.

Ian Mounsey owns an orchard in Oliver and claims the actions of a group of goose hunters have been affecting his business and he fears for his safety.

“I've been given an order from the Workman's Compensation Board saying I can't have any employees in my orchard during hunting season because I can't guarantee a safe working environment,” says Mounsey.

Vidulich, one of three hunters who have permits from the Town of Osoyoos to hunt nuisance geese, says they only hunt on the weekends.

“The fellow who owns the property next to Mr. Mousey gave us permission to hunt near his property, and he had workers in his orchard while we were hunting, so he clearly didn't have a problem,” says Vidulich.

“We are always very careful, we don't shoot towards people's homes. We are very conscientious to make safe shoots. I've been hunting geese in the Oliver-Osoyoos area for 24 years,” says Vidulich.

Mounsey says he was shot in the shoulder by buckshot two years ago, a claim which Vidulich has a hard time believing.

“I gotta believe that's a lie. The effective killing range with the shots we use is about 40 yards, so the goose have to be very close to us. The distance from our blind to Mr. Mounsey's house was 342 yards, so even if we were shooting towards his house, the pellets wouldn't reach his property. After 100 feet, a piece of buckshot has no more effect then a raindrop,” says Vidulich.

He says they carry their hunting licences with them at all times.

“We have been attended to by the RCMP every time we hunt in the area and we are completely licensed, we are also completely insured by the B.C. Wildlife Federation. We make sure we are completely legal and legitimate because we can't afford to be otherwise,” says Vidulich.

The goose-hunting season ends March 10.