The Canada goose is an adaptable bird and can live in a variety of
locations, including open farmland and rural reservoirs to suburban
neighborhood ponds, office complexes, parks and other developed areas.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife
Resources Division, as the goose population increases and they become more
common in urban areas so does the increase in nuisance complaints.
“Geese that have adapted to people, either because they are being fed or
because they are so close to humans on a daily basis, can become an
aggressive pest,” says WRD State Waterfowl Biologist Greg Balkcom.
“Additionally, when you have a resident goose population that continues to
grow unchecked – you exponentially increase the amounts of feces and
feathers found in the area.”
Landowners who don’t want geese on their property can first try a variety
of “harassment” techniques, including chemical repellents, mylar balloons,
wire/string barriers and noise makers. These methods are proven to help
reduce goose problems. However, they do require consistency from the
property owner and are not always 100 percent effective.
In response to these concerns, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued
regulations that allow for additional control measures, apart from
harassment techniques and traditional hunting, to help address nuisance
goose problems. One of those regulations is a permit for reducing goose
reproduction through nest and egg destruction OR egg addling or oiling
which prevent the eggs from hatching.
“These permits are easy to attain, and can be useful in certain situations
– such as a homeowner that may have geese nesting close to home” says
Balkcom. “Additionally, it is a way to keep a minimum number of adult geese
on the property without the population growing too large through years of
unchecked reproduction.”
The permits are available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website
at www.fws.gov/permits
. The website also contains useful information on the methods for addling
or oiling the eggs or destroying the nests and when each method may be
appropriate.
The nesting season for geese is underway now, and landowners and land
managers who have problems with geese (homeowners, golf course managers,
city/county managers, etc.) - especially during the summer molting season -
may be able to act now and reduce their nuisance problems later this year.
It is important to remember that Canada geese are a protected species under
state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or
possess Canada geese except according to Georgia's migratory bird
regulations.
For more information, visit the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at
www.fws.gov/permits
. For a brochure on a variety of methods of dealing with nuisance geese,
visit
www.georgiawildlife.com (Select “Hunting”, “Game Management” and
“Nuisance Canada Geese”).
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