Resident Canada Goose Management

During the past 15 years considerable attention has been focused on research and management problems associated with the Mississippi Valley population of Canada Geese. The general breeding, migration, and wintering ranges are well defined. Because this flock is closely associated with national wildlife refuges and State management areas in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and the majority of this population winters in southern Illinois and vicinity, it has been possible to determine quite accurately annual total population trends, annual harvest rates, and the breeding potential of the population sent back to the breeding grounds each spring. Based on knowledge accumulated for this population, steps are being taken to compile similar information for other major continental Canada goose populations.

If you're a parks manager, waterfront property owner or golf-course superintendent, you may be dealing with one of the drawbacks of the Canada goose success story - resident, nonmigratory geese. As Canada goose numbers have soared in recent years, so have complaints about urban goose problems - primarily goose droppings, overgrazing and trampling of vegetation, and aggressive behavior toward humans. Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments is a 42-page guide to legal, effective ways of persuading problem geese to go elsewhere. The guide includes an overview of goose biology and behavior, but most of the text is devoted to management and control techniques, arranged by their physical impact on the geese. The techniques range from basic (quit feeding the birds) to extensive - habitat modification, hazing and scaring techniques, chemical repellents, control of reproduction, and removal. For example, the habitat section reviews fences and overhead wires and grids, plant and rock barriers, and modification of vegetation, shorelines, islands and ponds. The hazing discussion covers noisemakers such as fireworks and propane cannons, goose scarecrows and other visual scare techniques, and dogs trained to patrol for geese. Tables provide a quick summary of timing, cost, necessary permits, strengths and weaknesses of each technique. The guide also discusses the human and political dimensions of urban goose management, and how to develop an integrated management strategy. It lists on-line information sources, as well as contact information for equipment suppliers and wildlife control agencies. "Urban Canada goose populations have increased dramatically in both numbers and distribution over the past 10 to 15 years. Almost any body of water, especially in southeast Wisconsin, can expect geese, if they aren't there already, " says co-author Scott Craven, extension wildlife ecologist at UW-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. "Small numbers of geese are attractive and highly desirable, but it's very easy to quickly experience too much of a good thing. Information on living with geese has not been readily available, and some 'solutions' may have little chance of actual success. The guide provides would-be goose managers with the information they need to address a very complex urban wildlife problem." (http://www.cals.wisc.edu/media/news/02_99/goose_doo.html).

All aspects of Canada goose biology, research, management and taxonomy are included. Literature search was carried out through 1977. 646 citations.

Based on papers presented at a Wildlife Society Symposium held December 13th, 1967 at Madison, Wisconsin.

"This revised edition is not an expanded version of the original, summarizing, for example, the dozens of studies that hve been made of the productivity of various subpopulations of the "Giant Canada Goose" since its rediscovery. Rather, the main objectives of this revised, slightly enlarged edition are to redefine the range of this race as it was originally understood and to correct earlier assumptions based on the literature as to racial identity of peripheral populations."--Page xvii.