Roseville Booming Mystery Solved

Protecting local crops with “Bird Scare Cannon”

Roseville, CA- After receiving reports of the mysterious sound, the Placer County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office investigated and confirmed that several farms northwest of Roseville have over the past few weeks been using a tool called a ‘bird scare cannon’ to keep geese from destroying more of this year’s already heavily damaged crop.

The cannon, or zon gun, is a small, propane-fired device that emits ‘thunderclaps’ to frighten off birds. It does not fire a projectile and is a standard agricultural practice and harmless to the animals.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

According to the Placer County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, zon gun use is allowable at night (when geese are feeding) under the county’s right-to-farm ordinance but is seasonal.

They likely won’t be needed any more this year once the crops mature and grow to a point where they are no longer vulnerable to bird damage, probably within several weeks or less.