Throughout December, residents near Mainland Farm may hear firecrackers and gunshots as a farmer and hunters work to scare away or kill geese that have damaged the farm’s wheat crop.
Mainland Farm, the longest continuously farmed piece of property in the U.S., is located at 2881 Greensprings Road and is owned by James City County.
Canadian Geese have damaged the farm’s wheat crop, prompting the response, according to a news release from the county.
The farmer leasing the property from the county will use firecrackers during the day to try to frighten the geese. On Dec. 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31, licensed hunters affiliated with the farmer will conduct a controlled hunt for the geese. The hunt is not open.
Residents of The Point of Jamestown, Jamestown Hundred, St. George’s Hundred, Fieldcrest, Drummond’s Field, Berkeley’s Green, Jamestown 1607 and Foxfield may hear noise as the geese are cleared from the farm, according to the release.
During the hunt days, the Virginia Capital Trail will be closed in the vicinity of Mainland Farm from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Volunteers will be stationed at the entrances to the closed sections of the capital trail to prohibit its use during those times.
The closures will not affect Greensprings Interpretive Trail.