Canada Geese and Goslings
 

Today I spotted this mated pair with 4 goslings, in the pond that is right across from the old Burger King here in Laconia.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h3...ps8ccf5a7a.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h3...ps55b6b67a.jpg

pictures are pretty but they are already pooping up our beach and grass areas, they are a PIA that need to be regulated, I saw a couple with 11 little ones, 11!

also down near my house this morning driving by a few farms they are in the planting fields poop and sitting around right next to the plantings

they need to go

Side note, rope and streamers went up this weekend on the waters edge

.........cheezit!
 

Cheez-its are a food fave for the canada geese ... and cheez-its fly sort of like a frisbee....no fool'n ....so you can toss a cheez-it with a sidearm motion for a pretty good distance....out to your neighborhood canada geese....from a distance of maybe 15-20 yards....... plus cheez-its will float .... just cheez-it!

About $3.95 in the large family size, red & orange cheez-it box.

www.cheezit.com


Cheez-its are a big hit with mallard ducks too!

That's what we need......
 

Now if I did that I would have to clean the "orange poop" off my Dock along with the other colors!;)

ToW

I'm with ya' TOW. I hate them and I don't hate many animals, especially baby animals. They are going right over my flags and rope now. The motion detector sprinklers aren't working, the coyote or whatever that animal is, isn't working, the air horn isn't working, and the dogs chasing them isn't working. I think garden fencing is next. They can't get through that, though they might fly over it.

Pollution Control fence.
 

or something similar along the beach where the grass starts to grow seems to be an effective deterrent. It's a pain as you need to remove it whenever company comes.

I use the little wire fencing from Aubuchon, 18" tall and 8 foot length for about $6.00, works great.

http://lawn-and-garden.hardwarestore...ce-274621.aspx

That is exactly what I am trying next, ITD. But the problem is I need more than 500 feet so it won't be cheap. The other stuff I bought wasn't cheap either but this will be the most. Oh I got one of those owls whose head moves too. The problem is they get used to everything. I think the flags and string would work if I could just keep it at the right height.

$375 at $6 a section, I would ask for a quantity discount. My neighbor called Fish and Game, they gave or told him where to get a reflective tape that works also. It was either free or was very cheap. It works well and may be better for 500 feet. Just requires a few stakes and goes up and comes down easily.


Something like this, much cheaper, seems to work for my neighbor....

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ird+scare+tape

They get used to everything. That is the problem. I have decided a barrier is the only thing to keep them out. We do have some of that reflective tape (that is really made to keep birds away) and hung it around (didn't make a fence out of it though) and even the birds were scared of it at first, but soon got used to it and made a nest right beside a length of it! But I am always open to new suggestions, so if you hear of any more, let me know. I put my three plastic swans out this afternoon which will scare them for a few days I hope. Today they were not here. ????

Buy a couple of bags of cheez-its and.....
 

...and make a trail over to FLL's place :laugh::laugh::laugh:.

Neighbor has them set up as a barrier, about a foot above the ground. The fencing I mentioned before works well though. The geese like to be able to run to the water unimpeded. Especially as they moult and can't fly that well. Be aggressive in shooing them away too. Don't slow down as you charge them, they act tough but they are chicken if they know you are not afraid of them. (You might run into a super brave one, I ran into one before but I had a boat hook in my hand, took all I had not to dispatch it, I just moved it along with the boat hook, once they realize you are not screwing around they leave.) I keep roman candles around too, aim right over their heads, but they get wise to that quickly and will run as they see you after that. I keep that stuff around in case the fence falls down. Good luck.

Regardless of goose poop issues...

Some very fine wildlife pics there! I wish I had your photo skills!

Someone once told me a paintball gun worked.

I'm with you they serve no useful purpose that I know of other than crapping all over anything they walk over. Docks, boats, beached, lawns.
Cute little chicks though.

I heard paintballs work too and firecrackers, but those are out of my league. I do chase them until they are out in the water but once they are in the water, they seem to know they are safe and move very slowly, maybe even going over to my neighbors or another place in my yard. One day I took the kayak and chased them way out in the lake. They weren't too happy that day, but quickly forgot that too.

If anybody wants to come over and help goose chase, you would be more than welcome.

Oh, I even got a slingshot (not to hit them but to scare them) and that does make them move. But I can't stand there all day and do that. Sunday, I put the rock in backward or something and shot myself. I have a big black an blue just below my shoulder.

My solution is to not have grass growing at the waterfront. Just natural pine needles on the ground. No mowing, fertilizing, weeding, and no poop!:D

They love our beach
the trick i found, after lots of research and going mad last year, is to use twine about 15 inches right at the water line on the beach. And sporatically place caution type streamers on the twine to move with the wind, but also so someone does not trip over in darkness. On the grassy parts that meet the water, place it a couple inches short of where the grass meets the water. It confuses them on the grass because they do not have enough room to hop up onto it, and on the beach they do not know how to navigate under it or above it, and by it being on the water line they cannot rest there beuase they are in the water so they take off

tried and true method for me after only two weeks last year at the cost of just a roll of twine, sticks from the property, and a roll of $1.99 caution ribbon.

another method that works is the ballon method, but with the heat will be replacing them every day. you tie the ballons to a stick with at least a foto lead to it, can be as long as you want. Throw them all over and when they move they become affraid of them because they do not know what to think, (make them all different sizes) and move them around - this worked for a friend onf mine, i started doing it but got sick of blowing up ballons every day

Fll
 

Most towns have regulations about feeding the ducks. Wouldn't feeding these pesky geese be illegal too?

The twine and the flags have really worked the best for me so far, too, AC. The problem is, as the water level goes up and down and as the posts pull out from the waves or whatever happens, they are not at the right height and I find myself adjusting them all the time. That's why I think the fence might work.

RG, I think there should be an ordiance against them even being in the lake. When you see how much they leave, you would not want to swim where they have been. I really think something is going to have to be done. Right now we don't have a lot, but last year someone posted a picture of about 25 of them -I think in Ctr. Harbor- and a few days ago I saw a flock fly over here. Two with their babies is bad enough!!!!

That would be nice but we could start by not feeding the TROLL.:laugh:

My 3 cats have been having a blast with the geese. We have a few groups with goslings that are coming to my cove. A wrist rocket with a marble works great too. They come on my grass, they get marbleized!;)

I've always worried that would kill them, does this do any permanent damage?
I'm thinking that there should be open season on them year round.

No damage I can see other than a sore rear end. I don't shoot them up close and most marbles bounce off their full feathered back side. Most of the time I just run up on them and they flee...but once in a while they need an attention getter.

How about those floats that look like an alligator. They have one at Akwa Marina and I've seen them around a couple places. They claim they work with all migrating birds.

I haven't tried that Phantom!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Goose

Over on nearby Horse Island, a canada goose couple recently tended their nest for about a month until one day they slowly paddled away with seven yellow baby geese between them.

Last night, five adults FLEW in. My dog and I chased them away. This morning the two were back with the babies and we chased them away again. They didn't go far, just to my next door neighbors. So I know they will be back to visit.

Number nine; first digit on an unreadable number stamped into an aluminum band on its leg; would identify it as the goose that used to be at Horse Island, not that it makes any difference? I have a couple photos except all canada geese look alike and it is basically impossible to identify one from another....say hey....www.cheezit.com are not just for ducks, and make good food for humans, too, especially with a quality beer like Pabst Blue Ribbon!:D;)

I notice the geese settle after dark when it's quiet and most people are indoors. The other day I set my irrigation sprinklers to turn on at 1am and 5am. This seems to be sending the geese to yards without this annoyance to them (sorry Rob). They are creatures of habit and will settle where they get the most privacy. Between the cats and the sprinklers I think I have them on the run!

Thank you! It saddens me that my attempt to share some of the natural beauty that we are blessed with here in the Lakes Region has descended into a diatribe on the evils of the Canada Goose. It's sad how a bit of poop on a lawn can so quickly turn people against one of God's creatures.

Anyways, thank you for the compliment and I am glad you enjoyed the images so here is another one.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h3...psb09d1f6e.jpg

It's way more than the inconvenience of poop on your lawn. Do a search and read some of forum member Grant's comments on Canadian Geese. They have basically ruined a lake near him in Pennsylvania and if anything even close to what he describes happens to Winni it would be devastating. Candian Geese that are in this area year round are basically an invasive species.

P.S.: I enjoy your photos no matter the subject.

i love your photos, and sort of feel responsible for the hijack but someone else would have done it
i agree with hilltopper though, they showed up less than 10 years ago and have never left and re-populate like rabbits and mice and are overtaking the land and the lake and need to be controlled.

its not a little poop either, a couple of hours on them sitting on our beach creates a hour worth of work for me of clean up, its ridiculous and this is only what is found on the land not to mention what is going into the water continuously. and not to mention the feathers

The pics are very very nice and the chicks are cute, but I have been battling them for years even down here in Mass. And I live in a suburban area. Even at lunch today in Boston I came across more of them and more poop.

I have a brook that runs thru my backyard. Year after year they show up with thier kids, invite friends and thier kids. Sometimes I have had up to 20+ geese and goslings in my yard. Ugh.


This year the brook is running pretty fast, so they haven't stopped by. We have done fences and all that. Shoo them away, they wait across the brook for me to walk away and the come right back. I use a big stick just in case they get agressive, but they are more dumb than anything. I have had my son do the chasing on his battery operated ATV, that worked for a while.

There is supposed to be something you can put on your lawn that golf courses use. But it's pricey.

My puppy (Labrador) seems to love the poop to dine on. :eek: I want him to scare them, but so far when he sees one he's more afraid than anything.

That's right Airdale, I invite you to try to come walk in my yard after they have been here for a very short time. It is amazing how much they can poop. They are very cute, but once you meet the close up, you hate them. I think they are the only animal I hate. Hilltopper and ACand cill are right, it is not a LITTLE poop. And if something isn't done, they will ruin the lake. Something will have to be done. I know they took the ones in Back Bay in Wolfeboro and gassed them, which made me feel really sad. It seems there must be a better way to stop them before they become such a problem.

But your pictures are very nice and the goslings are very cute. So nothing personal

Please let us know where you are, we'll share a few wheel barrows full so you can experience the joy also......:rolleye2:

:laugh::laugh:

All he has to do is come to visit and take a little walk, or TRY to walk. It is impossible to step around it, there is so much.

I am a wildlife photographer, this might come as a shock to you but I am familiar with the poop on the grass scenario. Do you think I'm using drones to take these images?:rolleye1:

BTW as a wildlife photographer I find deer ticks and the threat of Lyme disease to be a much greater occupational hazard than a bit of bird poop. So, I guess maybe we should just get rid these guys as well.:eek:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h3...ale1/FAWN2.jpg

Paul, you take great pictures.

Each adult goose produces 1 to 3 pounds of poop per day, when 30 to 40 come visiting that can be up to 120 pounds per day in a small area. It turns an area into a slip and slide with gross consequences if you fall. While they are photogenic they are a problem. I think it's time for open season on them, let the people who enjoy them, enjoy them on the dinner table. They also can be quite aggressive, especially to kids or people who they know are afraid of them.

I'm not a big fan of deer either, 200 pound mice in my opinion, but other than eating my wife's tulips they are not a problem, they don't fill the yard with 100 pounds of poop.

Airdale, I don't think it is fair of you to be so sarcastic. You obviously don't have geese in your yard so they don't bother you. Going somewhere to take a picture is not the same as not being able to walk in your own yard. And maybe where you took the pictures, they had just arrived so there was only a "BIT" of bird poop. We do not have a BIT. We have a ton. Do you think poop is healthy to play in? And apparently you don't care if they could destroy Lake Winnipesaukee. Please allow the rest of us to have our opinions without your comments. If you don't think they are a problem, fine.

Geese and Deer are not bad in themselves. Rather, it is the fact that both of these species have had explosive population growth due largely to man made conditions and this has led to damage and disease for people. The answer to the problem is to significantly reduce the population of both deer and geese. Unfortunately, many well intentioned individuals fight efforts to reduce populations due to their lack of understanding of the problem.

As I've posted in the past, I've tried about everything...... roman candles, shellcrackers, fake foxes, even my grandson's remote controlled boat but the only thing that keeps them out permanently is the strings of flags that you buy in the party store......the kind that business' use for openings and such.
Using small stakes, string them so that the tips of the flags are 6" to 8" off the ground right at the waters edge. Don't leave any low spots for them to get around from the sides.
After a couple of weeks they left and don't even come in our bay anymore.
This is the 3rd year this has worked for us.....finally got rid of those fuzzy little water rats.

Lawn Treatment
 

I have been told that a spray of cheap grapejuice will keep them away.

Bob, I hope some of the people on here who see the only solution to the Geese problem to be killing them, will follow your sage advice.

By simply educating yourself on the habits of these creatures you can learn how to keep them at bay. Typically, Canada geese cannot fly from mid-June to early July when they molt their primary flight feathers. They prefer to eat grass, especially young succulent shoots, found in abundance on mowed, fertilized lawns. Geese like short, succulent grass to feed upon because taller grass isn't as palatable to them. Mowed lawns also provide loafing areas where predators can be seen from a distance. By eliminating mowing at least 20 feet from shorelines or in even larger tracks of land, geese will be encouraged to shy away from these areas and look for safer spots with better food sources.

So, landscaping can play a huge part in whether or not you have geese on your property. If you choose to have a lush lawn as opposed to landscaping that needs little to no maintenance, you might as well be ringing a dinner bell for the geese.

Samiam, I think I told you before that I did follow your suggestion and put out the party flags. They are all around my yard. This is the third year I think and they are starting to fade if you need someone needs proof that I used them. They did work pretty well the first year, but after that they haven't. Like everything they learned how to deal with them. Part of it is trying to keep them all at the right height as the water goes up and down, wave action, etc. but as soon as I adjust them, they find another place they can sneak under or over. They flap their wings a little bit even when they can't fly and manage to get over them. As I said, it is not like I only have a hundred feet of frontage, so it is hard to make sure they are all at the right height. So I am finally giving up on the flags too. But my fencing should be in tomorrow and I intend to get it up. I hope that works.

We had a real problem with geese on our lawn. They pooped all over and made it difficult for us to use our yard because they are territorial and aggressive. We discovered they would stay away if we shot near them with paintballs ( they are very protective ) not hitting them but scaring them. Also, if we let the dog stay in the yard they would go and find somewhere else to hang out.

They are beautiful. As is this . . . EVERY morning.
 

Your photos are beautiful. In reality "Poop" happens. When one is blessed to be able to pick up such a pile each and every day, it does get a bit daunting.

p.s. I'm not against the little lovelies, just due to the lack of hunting and over population they're taking over the lake and slowly killing it. That and the abundance of boats that are on the lake these days.

I noticed a bunch of goose 'cigars' on my walkway and docks yesterday morning. There were a few geese josling for territory the day before. They most likely won't be back for a while as they were 'motivated' to move along! ;)

Don't be so sure, they were probably back as soon as you went away. They are intelligent and motivated.....


The pile in the shovel in the pic above would be the first of about 40 in my yard from 1 day without continual "motivation" to keep them away.

Try chasing them with a remote control truck , remote control boat , and a remote control helicopter or the four blade version. That would be fun at the same time.
How about simply spraying them with a garden hose, or maybe PBFF could offer his fire dept. family some real hose training.:)

I'm intelligent and motivated also...the tools I used last year worked without fail.

Let the games begin.

Another Perspective
 

I copied the below article from the news feed that is on Winnipesaukee.com. I think it offers a good perspective on hunting. I wish folks like Paul could understand the perspective of the hunter. And more importantly, I wish this group could grasp the problems with wildlife overpopulation. The vast majority of us eat meat products in our daily lives but many refuse to embrace the sport of hunting and the vital function it provides to keep wildlife populations in check. Why is there such a disconnect?

Talk about fertilizer in the lake--------!!!!!

I'll try to say this with out being disrespectful !
I have heard, but do not know for sure , that our leader is having us send our living livestock of chicken over to China so it can be processed and sent back to us here in the states. Although I highly disagree with doing this because of potential corruption and not knowing what will be done to the then, food during 'their' process.

Why can't we send our over abundant geese population to China so it can be processed and distributed to fight world hunger?

By corruption , I mean, how hard would it be for China to receive 500k chickens say to us 100k were sick or unfit, and then feed their population on our dime? Sorry if this is not appropriate ... But I do not like the direction our leaders are forcing OUR (?) country!

Loosen up the tinfoil hat. The President does not have a personal hand in herding livestock around.

I hear you. It seems after our trillion dollar buy out China has become our prominent business partner. There must be a lot of fine print that we can't read.

Just to set the record straight if I may:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has approved China for processing chicken that is sent to them from the USA. We still won't allow any of their chickens to be shipped to us.

So far there hasn't been any shipments to China for processing by any company in the USA. They don't think it is necessary even though they can.

Thankyou for taking the time to find that Rusty, I appreciate it.