Where are the geese???

[SydKen]

Hi guys,

I have noticed over the past month that we have NO canadian geese around. For a while we had 17 that flew in every morning and evening. When we didn't have any on our pond there were always some at the ponds next door, so if you couldn't see them you could definately hear them. Now for some reason they are all gone.. Is there something about their migrating habits that I don't know about or are alot of folks around me going to have roast goose for the 4th of July /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif


--Scott

 

[polecat]

welcome to tbn first of all /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifi used to live and work for tva in the huntsvill area!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And my guess on the gees is that they r headed up north ...ie: jist passin thru!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

Scott,

My reply to your question would be that I wish we could be asking that same question! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Now before anybody gets hot to trot, I love animals (including geese) and I am not a hunter. But.....

Canadian geese have been driving our community crazy for a few years now. We have a wonderful park down by our river that hosts a variety of activiites. We have the National Champion water ski team here, the park is our memorial park for ALL veterans, there is a huge 4th of July celebration the entire weekend, we have a beautiful drive through Christmas light display every Christmas season, and a wealth of other activities. Although it is not the largest park in our community, it is probably the most heavily used. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But for years, geese have used the park as a stopping point in their travels and a place to raise their young. And over the last few years, it has gotten worse and worse. People can't walk anywhere without trying to avoid droppings. And the geese will attack people who are just trying to sit a picnic table and enjoy the outdoors. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Our Park department has tried many different techniques to encourage the geese to go elsewhere, including scaring them with whistles and firecrackers, dogs trained to chase geese, and oiling the eggs. Two years ago the problem became so severe that the City Council, after hearing from all kinds of "experts", actually authorized having a controlled shooting of some of the geese.

Well, you can imagine the uproar over that! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif However, that tactic did seem to work, and since then, we have seen a marked decrease in the goose population. After that year, the Park department has returned to using oiling as the main remedy, and it seems to be keeping the population in check.

So be careful what you wish for. You may get more than you bargained for! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[leaddog]

I own a 7 acre lake and have always had a major problem with geese on my lawn. They love that green grass and any thing I did didn't work UNTIL this spring I put up that 1/2 in white electric fence tape about 8 in above ground all around the edge of my lawn and they WILLNOT cross it. I just use the 3/8 wire posts and stick them in the ground and when I have to mow I just move them. No, I don't have it electrified, they just won't cross it. they come up to it and talk alot but it sure works. If it gets on the ground then they will cross but 8in up stops them. Sure wish I had known that 30 years ago.
leaddog

 

[PineRidge]

You may remember that earlier in the year I also was complaining about the Canadian Geese. Someone here at TBN told me to invest in a floating alligator for my pond to discourage them so I did exactly that. The new $49.95 "gator" is anchored in my pond and I move him around every few days or so. So where are all the Canadian Geese? They are here at my lot standing on shore next to my pond, with their families and families, families pointing at my lame alligator and cracking jokes between themselves about it.

The gator ain't working folks, the geese that you are looking for are now camped out on my lot having an early 4th of July party on me....... Geeze! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Think I should have spent the $49.95 on 12 gage shells instead?

 

[polecat]

nope!!! .22 cal..high poewr sheridan air rifle with 3x9 scope and a freezer!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[leaddog]

You just need to take that $50 and buy the white 1/2 in electric fence tape and posts and put it on the edge of your pond and the geese will not cross it. I have had a major problem (like over 250 geese) for 30 years and this is the first year that I can walk on my lawn with out walking on fertilizer. I had heard of it work9ing but didn't believe it so I didn't try it untill this year. I had a bunch of them on the lawn and I went out and as I was putting it up they just honked and honked but when I got done they would come up to the edge but wouldn't cross. I don't know why they don't fly over it but they won't so I HAPPY /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
leaddog