Community Chat

[Twins Mom]

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?

[makena]

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.

[RoughDraft]

Just remove the words Canadian geese and insert humans.  

Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

[makena]

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

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

[Marp]

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.

[Snowpuppy]

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.

[beach-mom]

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! 

[Lapdog]

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.

[Desertdi]

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@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! 

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

[dooBdoo]

          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