Remember when the ‘goose’ was part of Kindersley’s festival?

By Joan Janzen

Once again, it’s time for Kindersley’s annual Goose Festival. However, this year, it looks like the geese won’t be doing a fly-by for the festivities.

In these parts we’re accustomed to seeing hundreds of geese flying overhead at any given time, and hearing their chorus of honking along the way. But this year, due to a shortage of water bodies, we’ve only spotted the occasional small v-shaped formation, while most of them fly on by in search of water.

There haven’t been any honking sounds heard, which is how geese communicate. According to gogeesego.com, honking helps them take off in unison, navigate, stay together while flying, and conserve energy while in the air. While flying, each bird uses distinct honking patterns to coordinate their movements. The lead goose sets the pace with a series of honks, signalling to the others when to change direction or adjust their speed. They also honk to coordinate shifts in position in the formation, helping to make it more aerodynamic. Honking helps the birds encourage one another to stay in position and maintain a streamlined formation. They all honk in unison as a means of communication when preparing to land.

Goose hunting was very popular fifty years ago, which is why Kindersley dubbed their annual event as a “Goose Festival.” However, spotting a snow goose prior to the 1970s was a rarity. Kindersley resident Cliff Neufeld remembers being told that if you saw a white goose, you were not to shoot it.

Getting down to business in the duck plucking contest on Friday morning (L-R): RM of Newcombe’s Ed Neumiller: defeated champion. Mayor B. Keller: new champion. Milford Jamieson, Mayor of Major; and Alvin Hammel, from the Village of Glidden. Photo: October 1976 The Kindersley Clarion

Kindersley’s famous goose was an entry in the parade, followed by the Westberry School Band. Photo: October 1976 The Kindersley Clarion

In the 1970’s era, Kindersley’s Goose Festival hosted a variety of goose hunting-related activities. There were contests for the best-camouflaged pit, bird and animal calling contests, and prizes awarded for the largest goose, white goose and duck shot. The largest birds were mounted free of charge by a local taxidermist. There was also a gun display throughout the weekend.

An annual favourite activity was the duck plucking contest Friday morning when a number of mayors and reeves would show off their feather plucking skills.

Breakfast was served in the Lions Hall bright and early on Saturday morning, when hungry diners feasted upon free goose cakes and sausage. After breakfast, Kindersley’s famous goose proudly rested on a float in the Goose Festival parade.

An open trap shoot took place Sunday morning, 19 miles west on Highway No. 7, and seven miles north on Dewar Lake Road. Trophies were awarded to the winners.

Geese also attracted American hunters to Kindersley and area. Kindersley resident Glen Sitter recalled Dan Blocker (from the old television show Bonanza) coming to Kindersley on numerous hunting expeditions. His fellow actors, Lorne Green and Pernell Roberts, were also goose hunting in the Kindersley area.

Cliff Neufeld remembers American hunters who were willing to pay someone to dig big pits. Those hunters often came equipped with hundreds of decoys. When the hunting was done, ladies in the community were hired to clean the geese and use the feathers to make pillows and comforters. “It was a tough job,” he said.