Geese population growing

[mishman]

I used to see Canadian geese overhead in the spring and fall and it would put a smile on my face as they headed north or south. Unfortunately, now when I see geese they are nearly full time residents on the lake (at least eight months of the year) and the population is growing. When I think about how much they defecate in the lake, I can't help but think we need to get rid of these birds to protect the water quality of the lake. Do others feel the same?

[tis]

I don't like to harm any animals but I agree with you something needs to be done. They have at least 5 new babies every year. They are going to pollute the lake if they haven't already. There must be a way to get them to move!!

[Hillcountry]

Put some inflated balloons where they congregate and when they come shoot the balloons with a BB gun.

They are reaching varmint status.

[garysanfran]

Sends the PETA folks into fits.

I chased four of them off my beach yesterday. First time I've had them on my land.

Are they any good to eat?

[Winnisquamer]

Not even the annoyance of the crap all over your yard but how bout the health risk of your kids putting their hands in their mouths after harmlessly playing in the yard.. Push them 500' from a dwelling and wait for hunting season

[secondcurve]

Not even the annoyance of the crap all over your yard but how bout the health risk of your kids putting their hands in their mouths after harmlessly playing in the yard.. Push them 500' from a dwelling and wait for hunting season

This is a simple problem to resolve. However, given the numerous federal regulations that are in place it is impossible to respond to the problem/threat. The solution is straight forward: increase the length of the hunting season and remove the bag limit. Also allowing homeowners to shoot unwanted geese with pellet guns much the same way they shoot unwanted red squirrels would help. If we did this for a couple of years balance would be restored.

[upthesaukee]

One of the problems with geese and lakeshore properties is the change from camps with very low maintenance lots to homes with nice lawns. (not just the so called McMansions)

Driving around the lake, or doing a putt putt cruise along the lake shore, you see geese on lawns grazing like bovines. Get rid of the grass and the geese will move. Someone needs to come up with a grass that looks nice (if you want to spend your lake time mowing, although a lot of these places do have landscape companies doing the yard work) but the geese don't like.

[Sal]

BBs are made of lead. Just the right size for loons to ingest. Not good.

Consider a good slingshot and a supply of glass marbles as ammo.
Usually not lethal but certainly painful when accurately placed.

Can be put into play when the flock approaches your shoreline.
A few near miss splashes are recognized and the flock tends to move off (to your neighbors property).

An energetic dog is also beneficial.

My observation is the damnable Canada Goose population increases each year.
A REAL solution should be addressed

[Slickcraft]

BBs are made of lead. Just the right size for loons to ingest. Not good.

Consider a good slingshot and a supply of glass marbles as ammo.
Usually not lethal but certainly painful when accurately placed.

Can be put into play when the flock approaches your shoreline.
A few near miss splashes are recognized and the flock tends to move off (to your neighbors property).

An energetic dog is also beneficial.

My observation is the damnable Canada Goose population increases each year.
A REAL solution should be addressed

All of the BBs that I have ever bought since a kid have been steel, not lead. Maybe you are thinking of shotgun loads or .177 cal lead pellets.

[fatlazyless]

Looks like Moultonborough has recently placed a life sized replica of a coyote in their softball field, right outfield position, to help keep the playing field a no-go canada goose, poop-free zone, or something!

Maybe the Village Kitchen could sponsor the Moultonborough coyote with a "hit the coyote-get a free chicken croquette dinner!" :):D and put the goose problem to work as positive advertising, or something, with the M-boro senior slow pitch softball league.

[Sal]

Yup. It was the .177 pellets I was thinking of.:look:
Thanks.

[noreast]

Bring back Vikings, They will skin them alive and eat em raw.

[Hillcountry]

All of the BBs that I have ever bought since a kid have been steel, not lead. Maybe you are thinking of shotgun loads or .177 cal lead pellets.

Correct. BBs are steel and pellets are lead.

[mishman]

I agree that lush green lawns attract geese by the score. How lawns are even allowed right down to the lake is beyond me. There is clear evidence that lawns lead to phosphorous getting into lake water. Why can't people restrain the urge to have green lawns in proximity to our lake? I don't understand it.

[jeffatsquam]

One of the problems with geese and lakeshore properties is the change from camps with very low maintenance lots to homes with nice lawns. (not just the so called McMansions)

Driving around the lake, or doing a putt putt cruise along the lake shore, you see geese on lawns grazing like bovines. Get rid of the grass and the geese will move. Someone needs to come up with a grass that looks nice (if you want to spend your lake time mowing, although a lot of these places do have landscape companies doing the yard work) but the geese don't like.

As I've stated before.... I don't know of any Geese problems on Squam but I do know of very few lawns

[TiltonBB]

I am not sure if this link will work but I bought this scare tape about three weeks ago. I had pressure washed the area the geese "visited" 4 times since April and it was getting old. The geese had been regular visitors and left the usual piles.

Since putting the tape up the geese have not been back. This tape is somewhat like ribbon but shiny silver. It is effective and inexpensive.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01011QRN6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[SAMIAM]

I am not sure if this link will work but I bought this scare tape about three weeks ago. I had pressure washed the area the geese "visited" 4 times since April and it was getting old. The geese had been regular visitors and left the usual piles.

Since putting the tape up the geese have not been back. This tape is somewhat like ribbon but shiny silver. It is effective and inexpensive.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01011QRN6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Great idea and cheaper than flags