Chances are you don't have any problems with Canada geese. Many people enjoy seeing them in their communities. But there is a vocal segment of the population that says there are too many Canada geese in the wrong places and at the wrong times, and that something must be done about them.

Humans have brought on the problems we have with these birds. At the turn of the century, market and commercial hunting had nearly driven Canada geese to extinction. But from a few birds still surviving in the Midwest, the Canada goose was brought back. Hardy and adaptable, geese settled into cities and towns. Suburban lawns, interspersed with lakes, ponds, and storm-water impoundments, are ideal habitat for geese. Many urban centers also have open water available throughout most of the year, allowing geese to establish full-time residency. The result is that geese compete directly with humans for recreational space.

Droppings and Airports

Humans complain of goose droppings on lawns, sidewalks, and playing fields. While some have expressed concern over the possible health hazards of the droppings in water, these have yet to be proven. It is difficult to sort out what threat might be posed by goose droppings as opposed to other water pollutants. There have been reports of geese congregating at airports and possibly interfering with the safe operation of airplanes. It is a threat we must take seriously, but killing birds does not necessarily solve the problem.

But killing is the "solution" posed by many federal and state agencies. They round up geese during the summer molting season, when geese are unable to fly. The geese are then packed by the hundreds into trucks and sent to slaughter. Are we justified in killing animals because they are inconvenient? If the habitat is attractive, more geese will appear to replace those taken away. Does it make sense to choose a solution that will not last? Surely we should use the nonlethal alternatives that can resolve conflicts in an environmentally sound, lasting, and humane manner to halt the vicious cycle of removal and destruction.

Nonlethal Alternatives

We already have nonlethal ways to resolve conflicts with Canada geese, and we urgently need more research and a wider promotion of new techniques. Changes in landscaping, the use of harassment and scaring devices, and simple exclusion with fencing are all proven techniques that should be used in combinations that fit the needs of each community.

We can solve our conflicts with Canada geese without killing birds. The HSUS is working with communities and organizations throughout the country to promote holistic, environmentally sound, lasting, and humane solutions. These humane procedures include addling eggs, harassing geese using humane scaring techniques, employing border collies, excluding geese by using innovative fencing designs, and changing landscaping to limit access to areas where geese are not wanted.

We apply holistic solutions in concert with the same principles that underlie the concept of the urban wildlife sanctuary concern for the animals and the environment of which they are a part and, most important, concern for the connection between people and the natural world to which we belong.

Educating Geese out of Your Backyard

There are three basic strategies for teaching geese not to rest or forage at specific locations:

• Chemical Repellents. Employ one or both of the registered repellents for Canada geese in areas where geese are not wanted. These chemicals are methyl anthranilate (currently available under the brand name ReJex-iT) and anthraquinone (currently available under the brand name FlightControl).
• Scaring and Harassment. There is a variety of scaring devices (including balloons, mylar tape, helikites, and flagging) commercially available to deter geese. Some of these can be made from materials obtained from a hardware store. Contact The HSUS for information about building your own devices.
• Exclusion. Geese can be barred from areas where they are problematic by using a variety of fencing types and by combining fencing with plants. The most lasting and effective approach is to alter the habitat so that it is less attractive to geese.

The success of any of these approaches will depend on timing them effectively, on coordinating strategies if geese appear to be adapting, and on being persistent. Bear in mind that behavioral modifications may take time.