If you and your family are being harassed by
propane cannon noise, you should make yourself aware of the guidelines
for propane cannons in the Province of British Columbia.
These guidelines are far too lenient, but they are all we have so far.
Please note, there have been changes to the guidelines for 2008. Changes are indicated below with the "" icon.
The current guidelines state:
To be effective in scaring wildlife, a variety of scare tactics should be used
in a manner that prevents the
birds from becoming used to the scare tactics. Farmers should monitor the
wildlife, their habits and the
crop damage and develop an integrated wildlife management plan to minimize crop
damage and loss.
The following guidelines can help reduce the impact noisemakers have on
neighbors:
* use noise devices only when required for the protection of specific crops and
only when a problem
is evident;
* where possible, aim directional sound-producing devices away from neighbors;
* maintain the devices properly to avoid continuing noise when exploders are
shut off;
Audible Bird Scare Devices – South Coastal BC Only
Audible bird scare devices can be annoying to nearby residents. The Farm
Industry Review Board (May
1999) and the Ministry (February 2002 and February 2004) have reviewed this
issue. As a result of
these reviews, the Ministry has revised the guidelines for the use of audible
bird scare devices. Audible
bird scare devices are divided into two main categories.
Category ‘A’ bird scare devices create an impulse sound. Impulse sound is from
impacts or explosions.
Propane-fueled exploders or cannons like the one pictured to the right are an
example of Category ‘A’ devices. Firearms and shell
launchers such as orchard pistols are not included.
Category ‘B’ bird scare devices are any other stationary device, not in
Category ‘A’, which generate
sounds to scare or disturb birds. Examples are devices that broadcast birdcalls
or other sounds through
loudspeakers. Firearms and shell launchers such as orchard pistols are not
included.
Guidelines applying to both Category A and B devices are as follows:
Farmers:
• should operate devices only between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time or
dawn to dusk, whichever is
of lesser duration;
• should operate as few as possible on a given farm site up to a maximum of one
device per two hectares
of cropland at any one time;
• should try to alternate or relocate devices being used on a farm operation at
least every 4 days;
• should maintain devices, including timing mechanisms, to ensure they operate
properly and not
outside the recommended hours of operation;
• should use devices only as part of a wildlife predation management plan;
• should establish a local contact person for each farm where the
owner/operator does not live within a
reasonable distance of the farm where devices are used; and
• may use devices for the protection of crops.
Guidelines applying only to Category A devices are as follows:
Farmers:
• should operate devices with a firing frequency of no more than one firing per
5 minutes for single shot
devices and no more than 11 activations or maximum of 33 shots in any hour for
a multiple-shot
device. Multiple shots from a device are considered as one activation if they
occur in less than a 30-
second period;
• should maintain a 200 meter separation distance between a device and a
neighbouring residence.
Where written permission from the owner of a neighbouring residence is
obtained, the separation
distance can be waived.
• should not operate devices between noon and 3:00 PM.
Guidelines applying only to Category B devices are as follows:
Farmers:
• should maintain a 100 meter separation distance between a device and a
neighbouring residence.
Where written permission from the owner of a neighbouring residence is
obtained, the separation
distance can be waived.
Guidelines for shell launchers (orchard pistols):
Farmers:
• Should operate shell launchers following guidelines for Category A devices
except for the
guidelines on number of devices per hectare and firing frequency.
You can also access these guidelines on the Ministry of Agriculture's web
site at the following link:
Guidelines
If your neighbourhood blueberry grower is not following the guidelines, the
first thing to do is contact Will van Baalen at the BC Blueberry Council. He
will arrange to send someone to the offending farm to correct the situation.
Contact information for the Blueberry Council is on our
Who to Complain to
web page.
If you do not get any satisfaction from the Blueberry Council, or if like us
you think the use of propane cannons is wrong, then please contact us, join our
group and help us pressure the government to get rid of these devices. Send us
an e-mail at:
bancannons@hotmail.com
and join our group.
