GEESE MANAGEMENT

What can be done?

Canada Geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and it is illegal to interfere with the bird or to disturb the nests without special permission from the Canadian Wildlife Service. So what can be done? Consider some of the following deterrent techniques, either individually or in concert with your neighbors or local association:

1. Reduce the attractiveness of your property to geese by not locating manicured lawns next to the water, and by maintaining shoreline buffers of tall grasses, shrubs, hedges, low walls or fences.

2. Discourage nesting with scare tactics as soon as the geese arrive to keep them from settling on your property. Noisemakers, strobe lights, reflective tape, models of predators such as eagles or owls, and trained dogs may be useful in the short term, but must be varied frequently and continuously since the geese adapt quickly to the disturbance. Remember, these techniques may annoy your neighbors and push the problem to neighboring areas.

3. Don’t feed the geese! This may not keep them away, but at least it doesn’t put out the welcome mat.

4. Obtain a permit through the Canadian Wildlife Service to sterilize eggs during nesting season (mid-April through mid-May). Egg oiling effectively prevents hatching without triggering the female to lay a new batch of eggs. For more information on recommended oil and oiling techniques, contact Bonita at the Township offices 705.526.4204 extension 230.

5. Obtain a permit through the Canadian Wildlife Service to discharge a firearm. Kill permits, subject to strict controls, may be issued if other techniques have proven ineffective and damages are severe.

No one solution will address all the concerns with growing geese populations. The solution requires a consistent, cooperative approach between individuals, community associations and various levels of government using a variety of methods over a period of time. Public education and active dialogue are necessary to inform residents about the nature and extent of the issue and control techniques currently available, and to develop acceptable strategies to effectively meet the challenges posed by growing geese populations.

To access the Canadian Wildlife Service website, please log onto www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca

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