NUISANCE CANADA GOOSE CONTROL
Written by Joseph C. Fuller
Illustrated
by David Williams
Three distinct populations of Canada geese can be found in North Carolina at various times of the year. Two groups are migratory and are found in North Carolina only during the fall and winter. The Atlantic population breeds in Northern Quebec and winters in the northeastern part of the state. The Southern James Bay population breeds in Ontario and can be found widely scattered in the upper coastal plain, piedmont, and foothills. Both migratory populations are declining in number. Conversely, our resident population is increasing and stays in North Carolina year round. Resident geese are found throughout the state with the largest numbers occurring in the piedmont and northeastern part of the state.
These
resident Canada geese mean many things to many different people. Observing the
graceful flight of a flock of geese swinging into a farm pond or neighborhood
lake, watching a pair successfully nest and raise a brood of goslings, or simply
listening to the unmistakable call of the Canada goose delights many people.
The temperament and visibility of resident Canada geese afford people a close
look at one of nature's creatures.
Resident Canada geese also create problems for many people. As both human and resident Canada goose populations have increased in North Carolina, conflicts have occurred. Most people can tolerate and in fact enjoy a few Canada geese; however, as numbers increase problems are usually not far behind. Congregations of Canada geese can cause problems by overgrazing lawns and golf courses while leaving large accumulations of feathers and droppings. Health concerns are realistic when large numbers of geese congregate at water treatment facilities and swimming areas. Resident Canada geese may also cause destruction of vegetable gardens or commercially grown agricultural crops such as corn, peanuts, and soybeans.
Like all native waterfowl and other migratory birds, Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and various state and federal laws. In accordance with these laws it is unlawful to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds, except as permitted by regulations adopted on an annual basis by the Secretary of the Interior. Harassment of geese to disperse them at problem areas is permissible. Currently there are closed hunting seasons in North Carolina for both migratory populations. Resident Canada geese can be hunted throughout much of the state during a special season in September, before migratory birds arrive.
General Considerations for Resident Goose Control
The loss of wariness of resident Canada geese to people often makes goose control very difficult. While there are a variety of techniques used to disperse geese from problem areas, each is met with varying degrees of success. Of the various methods described herein, keep in mind that some techniques will work for some groups of geese and have no effect on others. General guidelines include:
1. Discontinue feeding or any other unnecessary activity that may be attracting geese. Don't give geese a reason to be there. Feeding concentrates birds, conditions birds to be less wary of humans, and renders most dispersal techniques ineffective. Canada geese are very capable of finding their own forage, making well intentioned hand-outs unnecessary.
2. Try different dispersal methods, perhaps 2 or 3 at the same time.
3. Be persistent. It may take a while. Initial efforts need to be continuous and may require a round-the-clock commitment. Ineffective harassment may be counter productive by training the birds to be non-responsive.
4. It is more effective and easier to disperse birds from an area when they first arrive. Dispersal efforts should be diligent just before the nesting season (February-March). Dispersal during the nesting, brood rearing, and adult flightless stages (May-July) will be very difficult. Don't let the situation become a problem.
5. If birds return to an area after being successfully dispersed, meet them with a hostile reception. Returning birds should be easier to disperse the 2nd and following occasions.
6. Be aware that domestic ducks and geese will attract resident flocks of Canada geese to an area.
Remember that some people may not see your situation as a problem and will not understand why you are harassing "their" geese. It is best to keep neighbors informed of your plans.
GOOSE DISPERSAL TECHNIQUES
Habitat Modification
In many
instances, geese tend to walk, not fly, to and from water to feed. If overgrazing
or fecal accumulation is occurring on lawns or gardens adjacent to a pond or
lake, installing a low fence or other barrier may prevent geese from accessing
the problem area. This type of barrier may consist of a single strand of 16
gauge galvanized wire, rot-resistant twine, chicken wire, closely planted shrubs,
or even a rock wall. The single strand of wire or twine should be about 8 inches
high while other barriers should be at least 2 feet high. Electric fencing can
also be very effective. Barriers should be placed directly adjacent to the water's
edge. If you own the pond, you may consider allowing vegetation to "grow-up"
around the edge. Geese prefer ponds that are "open" and have low growing
vegetation around the sides.
Curtailing the mowing of vegetation may diminish the attractiveness of the pond by not affording the geese security of an "open" pond and also by not encouraging new plant growth to which geese are attracted. Taking down goose nesting platforms or modifying existing small islands or peninsulas in ponds will also make areas less attractive for nesting geese.
Mylar Tape
The
shimmering effect of two-sided reflective mylar tape has been used to frighten
and disperse Canada geese as well as other nuisance birds. To control Canada
geese, construct a mylar tape fence 8 to 10 inches from the waters edge, parallel
to the area where geese are leaving the water. The tape should be tied to a
stake approximately 10 inches off the ground and then unrolled and supported
by other stakes every 20 to 25 feet. Leave some slack and put several twists
in the tape between successive stakes. This will increase the shimmering affect
and movement when the wind is blowing. Mylar tape is most effective when used
in conjunction with other scare tactics such as scare pistols. Mylar tape may
be found in lawn and garden stores and may be known also as bird scare tape
or ribbon.
Overhead Lines
Overhead
lines crisscrossed over a small pond have been successfully used as a long term
solution in keeping geese away from water and surrounding areas. These lines
interfere with geese attempting to land and take off from the water, and the
geese frequently abandon such areas in a relatively short time. The lines should
crisscross the pond at an approximate 20 foot spacing and be elevated about
3-6 feet above the water. If this spacing proves ineffective, a 10 foot grid
may be necessary. Attaching mylar tape on the lines increases effectiveness.
Contact the U.S.Department of Agriculture - ADC Wildlife Services (USDA-ADC)
for detailed information.
Exploding Devices
In
some areas, exploding devices are the most recommended and most successful of
the scare devices. There are a variety of exploding devices available including
scare pistols, automatically firing propane cannons, and exploding shells for
12 gauge shotguns. The various exploding devices are most effective when they
are fired so they will go off under the birds just as they are about to land.
Automatic cannons provide an extremely loud noise and are most appropriate in
rural areas and large agricultural fields where the noise is not likely to bother
neighbors. When using any of these devices, please inform local police, wildlife
enforcement officers and neighbors as to your actions. Also check local ordinances
to see if these devices can be used in your area and/or if any special permits
are needed. Some of these devices can be dangerous when used improperly. Follow
instructions and consider use of eye and ear protection when using scare pistols
and cannons.
Hunting
When
damage is occurring outside of city limits or other "sanctuaries",
legal hunting may be a very successful means of alleviating goose damage. In
rural areas where geese are a problem, adjacent landowners may consider joining
together to allow hunting on a series of farms, lakes, or ponds. Because seasons
last only a few weeks, hunting in itself is usually not enough to disperse birds
for a long period of time; however, successive years of high hunting pressure
may keep the population in check or perhaps reduce populations and thereby make
future goose damage more tolerable. Hunting for resident geese is allowed throughout
much of North Carolina during a September season; however, you should check
regulations each year to determine exact season dates, bag limits and other
regulations for your location. A Federal migratory bird stamp, appropriate state
stamps and licenses and steel shot are required to hunt Canada geese.
Chemical Repellents
Various
goose "repellents" currently on the market have largely been proven
ineffective. However, a new product, ReJeX-iT TM has a
strong grape odor and shows promise in repelling geese. Contact USDA-ADC for
more current information.
Egg Destruction
Egg addling
or egg shaking may be used to help lower goose reproduction in problem areas
where hunting is not an option. When addling eggs, visit all known goose nests
and shake eggs vigorously, thereby making embryos unviable. Return eggs to nest,
taking care not to destroy eggs. Geese should return and continue laying or
incubating, not knowing that eggs are unviable. Geese will eventually abandon
nests, but probably will not renest for the year. Spraying eggs with mineral
oil will block oxygen transfer and will provide the same effect as egg shaking.
Keep in mind that egg destruction is frowned upon by a large group of people.
Keep neighbors apprised of your plans or at least consider how they may feel
about this technique. A permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is
required for egg addling and spraying. Contact the USDA-ADC for information
on obtaining permits or other questions regarding egg addling.
Relocation
The NCWRC
does not trap and relocate nuisance Canada geese. Previous results in other
states indicate that many times geese return even after being transported several
hundred miles. In the past, USDA-ADC has trapped and relocated nuisance Canada
geese to other states on a very limited basis and generally only after other
goose dispersal techniques have failed. Selected sites are based primarily on
whether geese pose a human safety or health concern. Contact USDA-ADC to see
if any relocation programs are currently active.
References and Sources
Sources for automatic propane exploders, scare pistols, exploding shotgun shells and mylar tape:
Reed-Joseph International Co.
P.O. Box 894 - 230 Main Street
Greenville, MS 38701
1-800-647-5554Sutton Ag Enterprises, Inc.
746 Vertin Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901
408/422-9693
Many local suppliers of bottled gas have propane exploders in stock or are able to order for you
Note: This list of companies is not necessarily complete nor an endorsement by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For further assistance, contact:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
ADC Wildlife Services
6213-E Angus Drive
Raleigh, NC 27613
919/786-4480North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Wildlife Management Division
1751 Varsity Drive
NCSU Centennial Campus
Raleigh, NC 27606-2576
919/707-0050