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Canada geese mean different things to different people. Some people see geese as a beautiful birds, others like to hunt them, and still others find them a nuisance when they gather in large numbers in areas where they may damage crops or pose nuisance and sanitary problems. Geese typically adapt well to people and therefore, there are established flocks in metropolitan areas such as Milwaukee and Madison. Canada geese are protected migratory game birds and as such cannot legally be shot except during the legal hunting season, poisoned, or physically harmed in any way. In Wisconsin, the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge supports a large number of geese each fall as they migrate through the state.
Geese occur in several "race" or subspecies, distinguishable on the basis of size and plumage. Canada geese in urban settings are almost always "giant Canada geese"; the largest of the races. They have little to do with the large migratory flocks that visit refuges like Horicon in spring and fall.
Canada geese have a grey body and a black neck with a white cheek patch. This distinguishes them from swans and other geese.
Because of the lack of predators, primarily hunting pressure, urban geese have a much lower mortality rate than their rural counterparts. Lifespans of urban geese may reach 20 years or more. In addition to their longevity, their prolific breeding habits result in large numbers of geese in an area. Urban geese are often not migratory and are a potential problem year round.
Canada geese prefer to nest in the same area year after year. Nesting sites are always associated with water. To locate a nest, look for the male goose standing guard. A short distance from the male you will likely see the female lying low with her neck stretched out. Only the female incubates the eggs.
Adult geese remain flightless for about 4 weeks during the time when they molt, typically in June. At the same time, young geese (goslings) have not yet attained flight. This allows for easy round-up and capture. They seek refuge in an area free from predators such as city parks, golf courses, and other grassy, urban areas. There are two key habitat features for urban geese - water and expanses of turf.
Geese feed on grasses including corn, wheat and turfgrass as well as other succulent crops and plants. Geese produce large quantities of feces. Excessive amounts of goose droppings left on a playground or athletic field may render it unfit for use. Droppings in swimming ponds may raise the coliform bacteria count to a level unsuitable for swimming. Loose feathers during the molting season can present a litter problem. During the nesting season, adults will actively defend their nest with the result possibly being attack by an angry goose.
Goose problems in urban area are further compounded by the increasing popularity of feeding and caring for young gosling and goose families.
If you are faced with a Canada goose problem you should contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, USDA Wildlife Service, or the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They will advise you as to the best management strategy. They can also provide you with a copy of a manual and video on urban goose management.
Because the issues of dealing with a popular, migratory, protected game bird are too complex to address in this school IPM manual, you should consult one of the agencies listed above under "Monitoring" before implementing any management strategy.
There are several landscaping techniques that may be used to deter geese from colonizing a site. Dense, ground-hugging, shrubby vegetation around ponds and taller vegetation near feeding areas will deter geese from these areas. Tall trees planted around feeding and water areas will also deter geese because they interfere with take-off and landing.
Exclusion is another important factor in managing Canada geese. In areas where ponds are present, the use of overhead grids of wire or twine will keep geese from landing on ponds. Where ponds are too large to set up such a grid, floats may be placed in the water to support the lines. Keep in mind that this will prevent the pond from other uses such as fishing or swimming.
Geese may be frightened by a variety of sounds or shapes however, habituation is inevitable in a very short time rendering this method of control useless. Scare devices may keep geese from becoming established in a new area. Flagging, balloons, scarecrows, strobe lights, crackers & screamers, propane cannons, and sirens have all been used with varying effectiveness. Before proceeding to use a particular scare device, check with your local authorities since local ordinances may prohibit your use of certain scare devices.
Dogs are an excellent biological control agent if trained to chase decoys projected over a problem flock. This method may not be practical in many situations and the use of dogs must be supervised at all times. Check local ordinances before using dogs to control geese on school grounds since a variety of permits will be required.
A chemical repellant, ReJexit, is a grape-flavored product that contains the compound methyl anthranilate that is aversive to geese. Turf plagued by large populations of geese is sprayed with this compound to deter geese from feeding in the area. The compound is not toxic to the geese, humans, or other mammals but after geese taste it they become so repelled that they will not feed in that location. Without available food, the area will become less desirable to the geese and they will likely take up residence elsewhere. ReJexit is very expensive and not always effective.
If you continue to have problems with geese after you've exhausted all of the available and economically feasible control options you should contact the State Fish and Game Department or USDA Wildlife Service. They will assist you in determining whether lethal approaches such as egg addling are appropriate. Any activity that results in the death of geese is strictly regulated by federal and state agencies.
UWEX publication G3299 "Canada Geese Crop Damage" by Scott R. Craven 4pp.
"Managing Canada Geese" in Common Sense Pest Control Quarterly. V.11, no. 3, Summer 1995.
