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District considers goose round‑up after riparian concerns about speeding boats and buoy placement
Summary
Commissioners discussed a mid‑June goose round‑up with a USDA quote of $3,500 and said they would proceed only if enough geese (30–40) could be gathered; residents asked for additional buoys to slow boats in Stumpy Bay and were told buoy placement requires DNR approval and enforcement needs hull ID evidence for police action.
Okauchee Lake Management District commissioners discussed a proposed goose round‑up and resident concerns about boat speeds and buoy placement at their May 12 meeting.
Lake Operations Manager Brady Mullikin said he had observed only a few geese so far and that the district’s riparian‑owner permission list for a round‑up will be updated. Mike Jones of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided a price of $3,500 to conduct a round‑up; commissioners said the operation would likely not be worth the cost unless 30–40 geese could be collected. The district indicated the round‑up is typically conducted mid‑June when goslings are still flightless.
During public comment, residents Diane and Scott Stacey requested another buoy in Stumpy Bay to deter speeding in the channel. Commissioners and staff advised that buoy placement authority rests with the Wisconsin DNR and that enforcement typically requires photographing a boat’s hull ID number so police can act. Commissioner Brian Sichi noted Wisconsin law makes a boat liable for damage it causes, and stressed the importance of capturing hull numbers when violations occur.
No formal vote on funding the round‑up was recorded; staff said Brady would contact the USDA the day before a planned event to confirm goose locations given their mobility and weather sensitivity.
