The Impact of Goose Overpopulation on Local Agriculture

Non-Lethal Methods for Wildlife Population Control

Population reduction and population control of geese is a growing topic in both urban and rural areas. As the agriculture industry grows, goose damage to crops becomes a growing concern. 

Some countries allow Canada geese to be hunted, which helps with population control. Hunting can be an effective technique to stop the overpopulation of Canada geese; however, other methods should be implemented concurrently. In the United States, Canada geese are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits the killing of certain protected migratory birds. While killing these birds is illegal, you can get permission to hunt them under certain circumstances. 

There are different non-lethal techniques that many have adopted to mitigate any damage that geese cause. Habitat modifications are one of the first steps of overpopulation management. While geese are highly adaptive, there are some techniques to modify the property to dissuade them from returning. Adding obstructions near bodies of water, fencing off certain areas, and adjusting vegetation can all impact whether a goose feels comfortable or safe. Adding obstructions on land may make landing difficult, causing them to find a new flight path.

Some methods are effective for a short period, but geese may eventually become desensitized to the deterrents and ignore them. Scaring geese with loud sounds and non-lethal ultrasonic devices will cause temporary frustration, but we typically don’t expect long-term results. Other gimmicks like scarecrows and props are not effective enough to invest in. 

As geese control professionals, we are certain that goose dogs are the most effective method for warding off geese from a property. Goose dogs are highly trained border collies that our trainers utilize to scare geese away. This method scares the geese into fleeing from the property, effectively training them to find another place to nest. Contact Goose Masters to learn more about our goose control methods and how we can help you with wildlife management. 

Controlling a Growing Goose Population

Geese are drawn to certain properties, parks, farms, and other urban spaces because of the development techniques used. Natural predators of geese have been drawn out by density, noise, and growth in the human population. Geese feel significantly safer as they are less likely to encounter a natural predator. While farmland may be in a more rural area, some of the same principles of development apply. Geese are much safer grazing crops than searching for food surrounded by wildlife that could be hunting them. 

As geese migrate, they search for suitable places for the nesting season and molting season. Geese have particular preferences when searching for a temporary home. Canada geese typically like wide open spaces near bodies of water, so predators can’t easily sneak up on them. Bodies of water typically ensure natural resources while simultaneously giving the geese a quick exit plan in the event of an attack from local wildlife. 

Geese are known to migrate to the same location for many years, sometimes even as the ranks of their flocks change over generations. After tracking geese, it was discovered that some returned to the same nesting sites after a full decade. This is important to know because we have seen that ignoring a goose problem isn’t a solution. As geese return again and again, they will continue to have offspring, who sometimes remain in the same flock. Geese are monogamous birds, and couples will continue to mate year after year. By utilizing effective goose control methods, there is a significantly greater chance that the geese on your property will search for a new nesting place. Instead of allowing a flock to grow over time, contact Goose Masters for professional goose management services. 

The Ins-And-Outs of Non-Migratory Geese

Non-migratory geese, or resident geese, have become increasingly more difficult to control as their numbers increase. Resident geese will stay put in their chosen year-round homes. These geese become used to their environment, the ample resources available to them, and the comforting spaces created by human development. With food consistently available, geese have little need to migrate as they have an abundance of resources throughout the entire year. Large open green spaces are alluring and provide a stable environment for geese to live in and raise the next generation. 

As populations of resident geese increase, the issues they bring become more apparent to residents and businesses. Geese can become aggressive towards other people, dogs, and even other wildlife, especially during nesting seasons. Geese produce a significant amount of feces every day, meaning even a small flock can cause ecological damage. It’s crucial that these goose infestations aren’t ignored and that they are handled immediately and efficiently by a goose control specialist.  

Professionally Trained Goose Dogs

We specifically professionally train border collies because of their intelligence and dedication to their work. Border collies have been used as herding dogs for many years. Their high intelligence makes them efficient at learning commands and following them closely. This breed of dog makes an excellent goose dog because of its natural herding instincts. Border collies are trained to simulate a hunting experience for the geese, making them feel like they are being stalked and in danger. As our goose dogs repeatedly stalk the geese, they become less and less comfortable with the environment and are more likely to leave temporarily, or even relocate. 

Looking for Goose Control Solutions?

Goose Masters specializes in professional goose control. We work with many different properties, including private properties, industrial areas, schools and universities, cemeteries, business campuses, waterfront properties, airports, and more. Geese can be an extreme nuisance, but they can also be dangerous and aggressive; a goose is a liability in more than one way. 

We customize our services for each client to ensure they get the greatest value. We can visit your properties as frequently as necessary, including multiple times a day. The intensity with which we tackle the infestation entirely depends on the severity of the problem. Contact Goose Masters to learn more about how we can help control your geese problem.