Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Outdoor Hazards
Q The geese on our local golf course are driving us crazy. They hiss whenever we
come near, and I've slipped on goose poop and fallen on my keister twice! It seems
like there are way more of them than there used to be. What can we do about them?
A
SomeCanada Geesearestronglymigratory; theybreedinnorthernCanada andAlaska
and are seldom an issue in urban areas. But one subspecies of Canada Goose that isn't
highly migratory has indeed become a serious problem. Ironically, this subspecies, the
“Giant” Canada Goose, was on the verge of extinction in the 1950s due to over-hunting
and habitat loss. But in 1962 a small flock was discovered wintering in Rochester, Min-
nesota. Birds from this population were reintroduced to many towns and parks. At the
same time, wildlife managers were introducing nonmigratory flocks of Canada Geese to
many wildlife refuges throughout the northern tier of states. In most of these areas, no
breeding population had existed before. Suddenly Canada Geese were flourishing.
Unfortunately, the ability of geese to digest grass, along with their preference for ex-
pansive lawns from which they can see predators approach, has drawn more and more
of these human-acclimated “Giant” Canada Geese to urban areas, especially places like
airports, golf courses, parks, campuses, and cemeteries. A manicured lawn by a river,
stream, pond, or lake is an irresistible invitation to geese.
What's the best way to deal with them? Allowing native vegetation to grow along
shorelines and minimizing turf grass will at least reduce habitat for them. Obviously this
isn'tpossibleatairportsorgolfcourses.Inthosecircumstances, oneofthemosteffective
methods of keeping geese at bay is to hire a herding dog and handler to regularly chase
the geese off, especially in late winter and early spring to prevent nesting.
In smaller expanses such as individual small lawns, setting plastic netting atop the
grassoftenworks,thoughthenettingcanbeexpensive,andithastoberolleduptomow;
some people would rather deal with the geese.
