topic Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected? in Community Chat

Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Twins Mom — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:39:01 GMT

Canadian geese seem to be taking over many areas of landscape, but I understand they can not be hunted, eggs can't be destroyed without special permission. They dirty the landscape, even sidewalks, entrances to buildings and many public areas. Anyone have any info who is in charge of these laws or how to pursue getting them changed?

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

makena — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:45:46 GMT

Maybe they are taking over (along with other animals all over) because humans take over the animals natural habitats to tear down the trees and build businesses on that land. We are pushing the animals out. Where are they to go.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

RoughDraft — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:49:53 GMT

Just remove the words Canadian geese and insert humans.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

makena — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:52:48 GMT

You can find information or an answer to your question here:

https://www.fws.gov/birds/faqs.php

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Marp — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 04:04:08 GMT

Canada geese are internationally protected. If you have a problem due to over population contact your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and request a roundup permit if they are on your/private property. If they are on public property then local authorities would have to make the request. In the case of common areas the HOA is the one to make the request.

If you pursue this please have a plan in place for disposal of the captured geese. Once declared a nusiance they are not simply relocated.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Snowpuppy — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:57:54 GMT

They are federally protected but here in MI they can be hunted twice a year.

It's April and that's nesting/baby season.

People often feed wild birds but you shouldn't. It keeps them hooked on handouts and living on inland lakes where humans are. Our DNR says the greatest concentration of geese is in the southern, most populated counties.

They've left the rural northern counties with pristene habitat to live off the junk people are feeding them.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

beach-mom — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 03:58:06 GMT

I love them, but I understand how you don't like it when you have to step around the mess they make! It wouldn't be fall to me without hearing them fly overhead in formation.

When we moved north, and I saw them in winter, I thought they were absolutely beautiful! I loved watching them, and I loved seeing them in P. Buckley Moss' art work. James Michener's Chesapeake is one of my favorite novels, and they are featured in the beginning. They used to migrate, but they don't as much any longer. Did you know they are one species who mates for life? DH grew up with them. He calls them "cows with feathers" because of the "mess" they make. He also says not to go near them. He's been chased by one of two in the past!

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Lapdog — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 04:09:17 GMT

I have eaten duck but not goose. I think they are supposed to be alike in taste.

They are so prolific they should be used to feed the one in 5 people that go to bed hungry every night in the US of A. IMHO of course.

They were good enough for Tiny Tims family.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Desertdi — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 04:28:11 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:
I love them, but I understand how you don't like it when you have to step around the mess they make! It wouldn't be fall to me without hearing them fly overhead in formation.

When we moved north, and I saw them in winter, I thought they were absolutely beautiful! I loved watching them, and I loved seeing them in P. Buckley Moss' art work. James Michener's Chesapeake is one of my favorite novels, and they are featured in the beginning. They used to migrate, but they don't as much any longer. Did you know they are one species who mates for life? DH grew up with them. He calls them "cows with feathers" because of the "mess" they make. He also says not to go near them. He's been chased by one of two in the past!

@beach-mom Me, too.............and they are BIG when you get up close and personal (!!)

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

dooBdoo — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 18:05:51 GMT

Tangentially related, thinking about protecting birds and their mates... I saw the documentary, "Racing Extinction," on the Discovery channel yesterday. It's educational, with breathtaking photography and videography, and also an inspiring call to practical action. I was in tears more than once.

At one point in discussing rapidly-escalating extinction of so much essential life on earth they talk about voices lost. We hear the eerie, plaintive calls of the last beautiful little bird of his kind (who mate for life), as he attempts to sing the sweet duet with his mate... who never will answer.

"...Clark plays the song of the last male Kauai O’o (pronounced “oh oh”), a Hawaiian song bird, calling out desperately to his female mate, who will never come. “He is totally alone,” Clark says. “And now his voice is gone.... How can life be slipping through our fingers?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhATRupsKVA

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Kachina624 — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 04:41:38 GMT

Most native species of birds are covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We have the same problem with the dirty, nasty swallow building their mud nests on public buildings here, in addition to the clan that returns to my house's entranceway every year to nest, raising two families over the summer. You have to transverse a pile of poop to get to my front door. I find most of the babies dead on the pavement below the nest.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

CelticCrafter — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 11:28:53 GMT

I pray they never decide to take up residence in our yard.

The mess they leave is gross.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:36:43 GMT

I love Canadian geese!

I love watching them fly overhead as they migrate north/south, and listening to them honk.

Sure I curse them when they poop on my car, but it's a small price to pay when it comes to appreciating the beauty that is nature.

Aren't the gosslings cute?

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Jaspersmom — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 11:11:25 GMT

I love all of nature and that goes for Canada geese. Man encroached on their territory, so they have become overpopulated in many areas. Humans have to take the blame for what we've done to the world. To get annoyed or angry with birds and animals is definitely misplaced. If we respected our planet better, we wouldn't be in this MESS.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

on the bay — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 11:28:41 GMT

My father always loved Canada Geese.

He had some wooden ones on his wall and was a guide when he retired at a nature conservatory.

One year in the back of our townhouse there was a pond and the Canada Geese would fly over and also have babies there.

I became friends with them. Said hello every morning and yes I fed them corn.

They got to know my voice and would march up from the pond to greet me when they saw my car pull up in the drive from work.

When they had their babies they came up and hung out on our back yard.

One summer my son was sleeping in the downstairs that led to the back and the father geese knocked on the door with his beak at 7am. He was used to me being out there every morning.

Well, my son was NOT pleased and said I wish I had a bb gun. I told him they are protected by federal law and he said Well, there are no federal marshalls around here! I laughed as he grumpily tried to go back to sleep.

But the most incredible thing was watching the babies grow up to be "teenagers" and then after a few seasons they left. I was so sad to see them leave. The next season I was out early and across the pond, I saw the teens who had grown and now had babies of their own. They watched and I went over to them greeting them and was so happy to see them. We "talked to each other" and then they left. I didn't see them again but really felt they had come to say thank you and goodbye.

I have many pictures of them and me and also several mallard families who raised their babies under our bush and swam in the little baby pool I had for them. The mother let her babies climb up on me.

I have always loved having animal friends of all kinds as I know many of you do-frogs, birds, beavers, turtles, fish, dogs, cats, dolphins.Many birds naturally get to recognize a human voice as do many animals. Their calls are distinct and human voices are too.

Nature is an incredibly beautiful world and it is a wonder to be part of it.

I wish we could all co-exist in harmony.

If we could even have just one incredible experience with one of the earth's creatures (aside from humans) it would be enough

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Isobel Archer — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 12:31:24 GMT

I'd ask the same question about deer. And deer are much more destructive to property than geese. Additionally, they cause many accidents severely injuring people and they spread Lyme Disease. Yet they roam free and continue to breed and apparently are protected in most areas.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

AngusandBuddhasMom — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 13:59:58 GMT

Nothing in this world is more destructive then adult humans and we seem to over look that.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

Silver Lining — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:17:34 GMT

@Lapdog wrote:
I have eaten duck but not goose. I think they are supposed to be alike in taste.
They are so prolific they should be used to feed the one in 5 people that go to bed hungry every night in the US of A. IMHO of course.
They were good enough for Tiny Tims family.

In reality, I seriously doubt that would work.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

SahmIam — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:18:17 GMT

In my area they have now become a nuisance: destruction of property being #1. They are not native to my area in any way and yet, they are taking over many areas of water and running off other water fowl that IS native. Why? Because they like the area. Because people feed them. Because they don't need to migrate any more due to global warming. Occasionally we see Canadian Geese migrating but not in the numbers we used to 25 years plus ago. Funny thing (well, not really but you'll understand), during a parent/teachers meeting, one of the 5th grade teachers commented how, when discussing migration of birds, NONE of the kids knew what she was talking about when she said "like the Canadian Geese". The kids (including mine) just looked at her blankly. She explained and many spoke up saying they've never seen it. She didn't believe them. Many of the parents spoke up during the meeting and said "sorry, teacher, but when was the last time YOU saw it?" and you know what? She realized it hadn't been in YEARS.

My county DOES destroy the eggs but it's done by county wildlife officials and they follow a specific pattern. Beyond that, playgrounds, schools, churches, etc on their own regarding dealing with them and the clean up of their droppings which are everywhere. Hunting is difficult because they are in areas where humans tend to hang out. It's a topic that comes up all the time but there really isn't any solution now that the temps are so mild during the winter that they choose to stay year round.

Re: Why are Canadian Geese so Protected?

software — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 15:27:17 GMT

Each state should have a program within their Conservation Department to "manage" deer. Especially if they carry and spread Lyme disease. It's foolish to protect something that not only is a danger to humans but also to themselves.

When I first moved to Alabama, they had nothing here. The deer were overpopulated, a nuisance, small in height & weight and diseased. By managing the population, most deer stay within their own habitat with plenty of food and better quality DNA. It took a generation to do it.

@Isobel Archer