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By DAVID A. SEATON
Traveler Staff Writer

The "pigeon posse" took down at least 27 pigeons during an early morning shoot Sunday, an animal control officer said Friday.

Just how big a dent that put in the downtown pigeon population is unclear. But the numbers are much greater than the last pigeon shoot about two years ago when only six birds were picked up, said Animal Control Officer Vicki Schalk.

She and others picked up the birds as soon as they fell. They scoured the area, going as far east as Sacred Heart Catholic Church and as far west as Second Street to make sure no dead or wounded pigeons were left for the public to find.

"I was there from the time they started shooting," Schalk said. "I just keep an eye out, and they always shot when the birds were up close to them."

Eighteen people, some of them downtown business owners, participated in the downtown pigeon shoot from 6:30-8:30 a.m.

The event sparked some controversy because no notice was given to the public. Some people mistook the intermittent gunfire for criminal activity. Several people called 911.

Still others think shooting guns in downtown is a bad idea even if the motives are good. Mayor Patrick McDonald said the public should have some notice next time. He also said that shutting off downtown streets, as is done for parades, might be something the city should consider.

"I don't think it's necessary, but it could be set up just like every other event," he said.

McDonald said he's receive mixed feedback from residents about the shoot; some support it, others were alarmed. He said it might be the most effective way to control pigeons, which carry disease and create a nuisance with their droppings

"I haven't heard of any (other solutions) that are actually effective short of knocking them out of the air," he added.

McDonald, owner of McDonald's Vacuums and Used Books, said he would like to see some of the holes in downtown buildings closed. He's had to cover holes in tin on his building where pigeons enter and roost. Some buildings don't get fixed.

"I think that's a major problem," he said. "The birds go in and who knows how deep the droppings are."

The city has laws against discharging a firearm in the city limits but makes an exception for the pigeon shoots under police guidelines and supervision. The shooters must register with the police, be certified hunters and use only 20-gauge shotguns. The shoots have occurred off and on for about 30 years.

Police Chief Dan Givens said the department mistakenly forgot to provide notice of the shoot last Sunday.

Schalk said she saw a jogger apparently get hit with buckshot as guns fired above him. A Traveler pressman picking up supplies early Sunday said buckshot rained down in the Traveler parking lot; at least one pellet hit him in the head.

Mayor McDonald said that did not alarm him. He's been pheasant hunting and had buckshot hit him from a distance.

Nobody reported being hurt, but Schalk said some notice for the public makes sense. She said she would like to use traps or nets inside buildings, but getting cooperation from some out-of-town building owners has been difficult.

"I suppose this is the most effective method under the circumstances without being able to coordinate with everybody who owns the buildings," she said.

McDonald said he thinks the Sunday shoot helped. Before, he had noticed 15 or 20 pigeons lined up on a nearby building, but now he sees just two or three.

"It made a big difference to me," he said.