Need Help With Canadian Geese Mess

MossRoad · Mar 11, 2004

Someone told me that if you put up a string around the perimeter of your property at a certain height, they won't cross it. Try searching Google for that solution.

I have also heard about swans keeping geese away. I think I read somewhere about a company that rents out live pairs of swans to business parks. They recommend them highly. Their wings are clipped so that they don't fly away. But remember, swans are mean to people, too.

Here's a link to a page from Colorado dealing with goose control.

PineRidge · Mar 11, 2004

Maybe it's time to rattle the cages of our congressmen to abolish the protective status of the Canadian Goose or at least have a few days of open season on them.


I have never figured why they are protected by law. They are plentiful and destructive. Shouldn't they be thinned from time to time like the states do with the deer population? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

tawilson · Mar 11, 2004

I know if I see a goose egg laying around, I'm going to shake the heck out of it. If I get busted, I'll do my time.

PineRidge · Mar 11, 2004

Wasn't that Baretta that once said, "Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time".

Look what happened to him....... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

fishman · Mar 12, 2004

There is a serious lack of correct information in this thread.

Canada (yes, that's right, Canada not Canadian) geese are a migratory game bird. That means there are hunting seasons set by federal and state law. Check any of your state fish and game web sites and you will find all sorts of information on geese.

How about here for those of you from Ohio: Ohio DNR

An open season means you can shoot them at during the prescribed season, using prescribed methods. Those methods specify shotgun, nontoxic shot (steel, bismuth, hevi-shot, tungsten), and during particular hours of the day, often 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. You will need a hunting license, federal waterfowl stamp, and often a state stamp or endorsement. These requirements are similar to any other game animal such as deer, turkey, rabbits, etc.

If you kill them out of season, you will be breaking federal and state law.

Those that don't wish to have geese nesting around your pond need to eliminate what geese like. Don't build an island in the center of your lake. Keep the edges mowed to the water's edge. As soon as you see some geese on your lake, chase them off before they get comfortable. And don't ever, ever, ever feed them.

If geese visit you in the fall and winter and you are in a rural setting, either enjoy their brief stay, get legal and hunt them, or call your local Ducks Unlimited chapter and tell them you need some hunters to come over and kill some geese.

Many of the problems I've seen were of the landowner's own making.

Lazy · Mar 12, 2004

Hi
What is the difference if we say canadian or canada Geese, If a person is from canada they are canadian aren't they? so if a goose is from canada aren't they canadian?

Charlie

gsganzer · Mar 12, 2004

My neighbor gave me a pair of geese after he heard we lost all of our chickens and ducks in a coyote raid. We let them out of the pen during the day and thought they were pretty neat when we got them, they certainly have character.

That lasted about 3 months, until they became full grown. I can't believe how much crap comes out of a goose! They must deposit 10 pounds of crap for every 1 pound of food intake! It certainly doesn't help that they seem to like our carport, patio and deck.

I'm beginning to think that my neighbor is getting me back for my dog playing with his chickens (Doesn't kill them, just brings them home to play). I broke the dog of that habit, but these geese are a continuing curse. Now I'm putting up fences to keep them off the deck, patio and carport. These geese are getting expensive, but the wife loves 'em.

Anyone eat goose eggs. I get a new egg every 1 - 1 1/2 days from the female. I haven't eaten any yet, but I suspect 1 egg equals 2 omelets.

The funny thing is I can't them to go in our 1 acre pond. They'll play in a kiddy pool all day, but they think the pond is taboo.

MossRoad · Mar 12, 2004

Click here.

Maybe you can sneak up on them and scare them reeallll bad! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Knight9 · Mar 12, 2004

Charlie,

( so if a goose is from canada aren't they canadian? )

Can't argue with your logic /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, but the reality is that most of the geese you see have never even been to Canada! Technically they are "Canada Geese" or "Branta canadensis" to be specific...but we don't mind if you call them "Canadian". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kevin

fishman · Mar 12, 2004

The difference is that one is correct and the other isn't. Singular = Canada goose, Plural = Canada geese.

It doesn't matter if 99% of the world calls them Canadian geese, it's still incorrect. The scientific name is Branta canadensis , common name Canada geese. Any taxonomic reference on the web will give you that information.

But you can call it whatever you want. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif My main point was that they aren't protected from hunting as long as the regulations are followed.