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Guidelines for the Use of Propane Cannons
on Blueberry Farms in British Columbia


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The rules (AKA Guidelines) that propane cannon users must follow are specified by the BC Ministry of Agriculture. These rules are vaguely worded, difficult to enforce, and far too lenient, but they are all that exists to protect us from the noise produced by blueberry farmers.

The following is our interpretation of these guidelines:

For all types of noise making bird scare devices, blueberry growers:

  • can operate their noise devices between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Fraser Valley;

  • can use only one noise device on each five acres of blueberries;

  • are supposed to relocate the devices every 4 days;

  • are allowed to use any noise device except cannons within 100 meters of a neighbours home;

  • must maintain the darn things so they don't misfire in the middle of the night;

  • are supposed to use other scare tactics and not just noise devices;

  • are supposed to have a "bird scare management plan";

  • are supposed to have a local contact person when the owner does not live on his farm.


A Triple Shot Blueberry Cannon

These guidelines apply specifically to propane cannons:

  • can fire each cannon only once every five minutes;
    (If a triple shot cannon is used then three blasts in succession count as only one firing (duh!);

  • can place a cannon no closer than 200 meters from your home;

  • cannot operate propane cannons between noon and 3:00 PM;

  • orchard pistols must also be no closer than 200 meters from your home and must be silent between noon and 3:00pm.


Other statements of interest in the guidelines:

Blueberry Growers:

  • a farmer must take due measure to minimize noise impacts on neighbours;

  • a farmer must ensure that bird pressure is sufficient to justify cannon use;

  • where possible, a farmer should point directional devices away from neighbouring residents.

If you and your family are being harassed by blueberry growers using propane cannons in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, you should make yourself aware of the guidelines. You can read the official version on the Ministry's web site at the following link:   GUIDELINES    
They are titled "South Coastal BC Wildlife Damage Control" just to confuse you.

If your neighbourhood blueberry grower is not following the guidelines, the first thing to do is contact the BC Blueberry Council. They 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 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.