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Quail Point sics dog on geese photo by Bob Pennell By MEG LANDERS When you can�t fix a problem yourself � no matter how hard you try � you call in an expert. Like Rook. The 3-year-old border collie arrived in February from Virginia with the sole mission of controlling the Canada goose population at the Quail Point Golf Course in Medford. "We�ve had up to 250, 300 (geese) at one time," says Paul Winterbottom, grounds superintendent and Rook�s handler. "It�s not the birds, it�s what they leave behind," he says, adding that the abundant goose droppings are messy and unsanitary. Rook is the golf course�s most recent attempt to control the waterfowl population. Dissatisfied with results of chasing geese and ducks with golf carts and repelling them with unpleasant-tasting grape seed extract, and unable to use air cannons within city limits, the management is looking to solve the problem humanely. In the four weeks that Rook�s been at his new job, he�s had an impact on roosting birds, says Winterbottom. The 46-pound dog is trained to chase, not catch. "We�re seeing the lower numbers already," he says. "We work him on the golf course three times a day for approximately an hour." Simon Wray, of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, says the Canada goose population has dramatically increased in the Rogue Valley in the past several years. "They used to migrate through," says the assistant district wildlife biologist. Now the geese find a perfect feeding and nesting habitat on the valley�s green lawns and ponds, like those at Quail Point, says Wray. "I applaud (Quail Point�s) efforts," he says. "It�s a great way to take care of their immediate problem." The biologist admits it may cause some stress to the geese, but he doesn�t think it will have an impact on their population. "If the birds have a tremendous urge to nest, they�ll nest elsewhere," he says. Rook knows it�s time to work when Winterbottom lets him off his leash. On a "heel" command, the border collie walks by his handler�s side. When they reach a spot near birds floating in one of the ponds, Winterbottom releases Rook with a "way to me" or "come by" command, depending on the direction he wants the dog to run. The dog zooms around the pond, and when Winterbottom sees him positioned in front of the geese, he gives the "walk up" command. Rook leaps into the water and swims toward the geese, who paddle away, honking in protest, and eventually take flight. With "that�ll do, here," Rook returns to Winterbottom�s side and receives a pat on the head. "At this point I don�t think there is a downside to having Rook," says the groundskeeper, who takes the dog home with him at the end of each day. Winterbottom imagines the dog enjoys the exercise and hard work. "He does sleep very well." For more information on Rook and Quail Point Golf Course, visit their Web site at: www.quailpointgolf.com . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.