Dead goose mystery

[plowhog]

Just sayin'. btw, nobody's 'death pond' will make a dent in goose populations any time soon.

That's not the only issue. I raised 90 catfish for 10+ years in the same pond to take them from fingerlings to 15-20lbs. Then, about 2 years ago, a river otter found my pond and wiped them all out in about 3 weeks. It would kill a catfish, pull it to the bank, take a bite or two, then go get another.

As far as I know, the otter is a past issue. So I didn't originally bring it up. Or maybe it is a current issue. Either way, I want to know what's going on. That is why I posted and asked for ideas.

If you prefer dead geese to live geese-- so be it. But that opinion doesn't help me understand what has changed with my pond, or why.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...
Here in the S.E. there has been a problem with salmonella killing birds...it is mostly being spread by Pine Siskins contaminating bird feeders and birdbaths...

I would report the dead goose to the county and or state and ask for advise...they may want to examine the remains of the goose...

 

[the old grind]

If you prefer dead geese to live geese-- so be it. But that opinion doesn't help me understand what has changed with my pond, or why.

No preference for geese being dead or alive, just not here. You could merely assume what's going on at yours if you're so talented at it. btw, never mind that we can't be there to help you figure it out beyond that.

 

[plowhog]

No preference for geese being dead or alive

Apologies. Came out different than what I intended. It's just my focus is not so much on the geese as what might be in the pond. I still have no idea what is going on but hope to learn.

 

[the old grind]

Have you noticed oddities with any other nearby wildlife? Are there game trails or areas of obvious activity (above and below the waterline) that you can easily set trail-cams on shore? My 15 YO IR ones would trigger on a bird flying by, if only catching turkeys, geese, deer, clearly while afoot. WIMI wouldn't take much if you get the aim good right away.

Missing squirrels & bunnies can mean there are coyote, fox, as a long-shot mink that might also attack geese when on land. If you see parents swimming with little ones IMO those dead or damaged would seem to have had individual causes vs being prey, and could be anomalies.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I can't comment about why the geese come some seasons and not others. We have the same thing; sometimes 2 pair, sometimes 20 pair with a few suitors looking for a mate.

We do add blue dye to our ponds just about every year to knock down the algae. No difference at all as to whether the geese come and stay, nor not. The dye doesn't effect the geese at all. In fact, I'm not real sure that the dye does a lot of anything. Grass carp helps reduce the grass and algae more than anything.

 

[plowhog]

Setting up trail cameras is an excellent idea. I will set those up tomorrow.

 

[oosik]

/pine has a good idea. If the dead goose carcass is still around - contact Fish & Wildlife and see if they will make an examination.

 

[Diggin It]

Have you noticed oddities with any other nearby wildlife? Are there game trails or areas of obvious activity (above and below the waterline)

See posts 11 and 28.

 

[the old grind]

I did. It ain't muskrats, and a lack of other game next door doesn't indicate why it happened.