Gassing The Geese

[VitaBene]

I think the problem is that the geese have few if any natural predators and have become quite a problem for many water supplies throughout the country. Many golf courses employ dog teams to scare the geese off, but they just move and come back.

I don't know what the answer is but Canada Geese are a big problem. I don't know if anyone ever had a run in with them but they are nasty birds.

[Fargo]

I bought goose/duck repellent at Agway this week and sprayed the dock and beach. A few ducks are still hanging out here but they leave no droppings. Haven't seen the geese in several days. I hope this stuff really works. The way this place looked you'd think we had a cow roaming about.

[Hezman]

Earlier this season, we could not get close to the waterfront as the geese (35of them) had totally taken over. We found some old metal fencing sections in the cellar (the stick in the ground type) and put them along the waterfront. It has been three weeks now and we have been geese-free. Apparently the key is to create enough of a barrier between the water and the grass.........hate to think the problem goes somewhere else, but at least this was a resonable solution for us and the geese.

[brk-lnt]

The biggest goose attractant tends to be grandmothers and crusty bread....

[gtxrider]

A 12 gauge does the trick only problem is what to do with the evidence.

Geese are a big problem they can ruin a lake in no time with the little cigars they leave behind. Golf courses, state parks, even businesses have trouble with geese and they can be nasty. People were I work have been attacked trying to enter the building. I even know a man who was attacked trying to come in the door at church.

Down here if the the geese stay past a specified date they are non migratory and it is open season...bam, bam, bang, bang...

Who ya gona call? Goose Busters!

Imigration troubles are just not on the southern boarder!

[NoBozo]

I am no big defender of Canada Geese. BUT: Their poop drys out quickly and turns into.... POOF. Bio Degradable Vegitable Matter. ..Compost.

NOT like DOG POOP. Just sayin...........No intention to cast dogs in a bad light. Dogs are Mans Best Friend. BTW: Not that this should matter in the least.......I have a CAT. NB

[Grant]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I am no big defender of Canada Geese. BUT: Their poop drys out quickly and turns into.... POOF. Bio Degradable Vegitable Matter. ..Compost.

NOT like DOG POOP. Just sayin...........No intention to cast dogs in a bad light. Dogs are Mans Best Friend. BTW: Not that this should matter in the least.......I have a CAT. NB

Sorry, NoBozo, but I have to usurp your opinion with experience, and say that we need to do EVERYTHING in our power to not only reduce the Canada goose population in the Lakes Region, but ELIMINATE them.

My family is from NH, and has been on the Lake since the 1910's. I was raised in southeastern Pennsylvania, but have spent every summer and a lot of other time on Winnipesaukee. Anyway, down here in PA, we have INVASIVE populations of NON-MIGRATORY Canada geese who have DESTROYED many bodies of water. Those poops you referenced have completely and irreversibly fouled (fowled) a number of previously clean lakes that were known for swimming, fishing, recreation (sound familiar). Because the government took the environmentally friendly/politically correct approach to dealing with these "protected" animals, they are now a menace that you could not imagine. They are EVERYWHERE. Office parks, swim clubs, golf courses, high school tracks and playing fields. You name it. They have literally destroyed many bodies of water and are not only an environmental hazard, but a TRAFFIC hazard.

I urge you all -- chase them away. Throw things at them. Kill them. They are like big rats with wings, and the escalating population on Winnipesaukee should be of huge concern to anyone who loves the lake. I don't want to hear about leaving them be - we eradicate Milfoil, right? We're concerned about Zebra mussels, right? Well, trust me, these damn geese will do more damage and destroy the lake faster than Zebra mussels, milfoil and snakehead fish combined.

Shoot a goose today!

[This'nThat]

[Argie's Wife]

There was a problem with geese landing on the ball fields at the high school in Alton. They didn't just land... they planted greasy little goose-poop land mines everywhere. The school fields were ideal because there's open water nearby, acres and acres of grassy land, and it's pretty much in the boonies. Goose heaven.

Anyhow, various methods of removal were explored. The school administration got a fake wolf or coyote to place on the fields - but it was stolen. They tried other methods - nothing worked.

They ended up hiring a company to come in a discharge a pyrotechnic device that made a loud (LOUD!!!) BOO-OOMMM! to scare the geese. It was discharged early in the morning and didn't harm the animals. The school had to notify abutters because the noise was so loud.

Anyhow - it worked. The geese hated the noise and moved on.

I agree they can be pests (understatement) but I also wonder if the lake association that gasses the birds had considered other methods, like the one the school used.




@nobozo - it does? Because when grass is wet and a young soccer player wearing blue and white lands in it, it's no powder. And it's no small task to get the stains outta the uniform!





@ThisnThat - have you ever eaten roasted goose? No thanks. Greasy bird.

[Sal]

High quality sling-shot. Glass marbles. Target practice. Have fun.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Sal

High quality sling-shot. Glass marbles. Target practice. Have fun.

Gonna need a LOT of marbles.

[secondcurve]

I agree that the geese population needs to be reduced in a big way or else
it will have negative consequences for all of us. Scaring them away does no good as they simply move to a contiguous spot. What about gassing them and then feeding goose diners to the homeless? Why we are at it, how about introducing a reduction plan for deer on the North Shore? They create similar problems in the absence of natural predators.

Unfortunately, many good intentioned folks hate to see animals killed regardless of the problems they create. The irony is that these are the same folks who enjoy all sorts of animal products such as chicken, pork, steak, etc.

Goose and venison for the homeless!!!!!

[MAXUM]

Allow hunters to take them and the problem will be solved, at no cost to the tax payer.

[Grant]

Wow -- I guess I posted some pretty inflammatory stuff in my most recent post above, because it got edited down to nothing.

All I'll say -- again, at the expense of being edited -- is get rid of the damn things now before it's too late.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by Grant

.... get rid of the .... things now before it's too late.

JMHO but I think "darn" or "anoying" things works better on a family forum.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Grant

Wow -- I guess I posted some pretty inflammatory stuff in my most recent post above, because it got edited down to nothing.

I didn't edit it

[Grant]

Originally Posted by webmaster

I didn't edit it

Weird...then I must've pulled the proverbial trigger before it was finished. I didn't think it was edit-worthy, so perhaps I self-edited.

[NoBozo]

Here's a little gadget used by farmers and airports to scare birds away, They use them around here to protect corn fields. NB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ga...ird_scarer.jpg

http://www.birdcontrolpro.com/bird_c...L08_cannon.htm

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

@ThisnThat - have you ever eaten roasted goose? No thanks. Greasy bird.

I haven't --- and I have heard that you have to develop a "taste" for it. But some people love it -- Bob Cratchit & family, for example.

[John A. Birdsall]

Now I have heard a very nice way to get rid of geese, whether they are from canada or mexico no matter, Bring in some pigions they do not like each other and the pigions will stay, especially if you feed them peanuts.

[Shreddy]

Maybe we can get Dick Cheney up here to go hunting

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by John A. Birdsall

Now I have heard a very nice way to get rid of geese, whether they are from canada or mexico no matter, Bring in some pigions they do not like each other and the pigions will stay, especially if you feed them peanuts.

John, your idea sounds exciting. Just think, we can have a whole new thread debating which is worse, geese or pigeon droppings! I have seen places where the pigeons have caused unbelievable problems. Perhaps Grant could tell us about pigeon droppings and Philadelphia City Hall.

Several of us in our cove use NH F&G issued noisemakers and it does get rid of the geese, temporarily. This is a poor solution since it only moves the problem to another area of the lake. Their population has exploded and as previously mentioned, they have no natural predators.

Grant is right, they need to be done away with before they destroy everything that makes Winnipesaukee special.

[XCR-700]

As MAXUM said, let the hunters do it for free.

All you need to do is make it open season with no limit and you will see the problem drop off FAST!

And if you want them to be gone like right now, have the state put a bounty on them like a $1 a head and the state will dispose of the remains and it will be done faster than you can load your gun and draw a bead,,,

Its only a problem because the politicians are too busy drafting the next set on no rafting zones,,, Oh sorry, falling off topic,,,

[RailroadJoe]

XCR good idea, open season for all geese. Can't say it for the politicians though. Time to reduce the herd.

[SAMIAM]

Where is PETA when you need them.?.........poor little fuzzy gaggles of geese. They look so pretty in the water...................no one seems to be sticking up for them on this thread, including me. We have had a few visits from a flock numbering 20 or so and we couldn't even use the lawn or beach until I had removed 50 to 100 dog sized piles of doo.
As you may remember from previous posts, I use roman candles to get rid of the ducks, but geese return. I'm thinking about "varmint loads" for my 12 ga.
Harmless, but might send a message. Anyone tried them???

[NoBozo]

I can feel the animus toward the Canada Geese in the posts here. As an Engineer who has worked in both the Private sector and the Military sector ...maybe THIS... can be a solution to the GOOSE Problem.

It is affectionaly known in the military as the Sea Wizz. Close In Weapons System..I have personally seen this device in action and it is IMPRESSIVE. I recommend this device be mounted on an MP Vessel. As well as controlling the Geese, it can be used to Control Perpetrators on the lake who refuse to Tow The Line. Braun Bay.. Speeding.. 150 foot rule.. Illegal Swim Rafts.. etc This solution will be financed by the STIMULUS...Why NOT..? NB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgpQBZF2sZQ

[Mr. V]

We kill bears and other wild animals who don't conform to the norm.

Heck, we even kill our own.

Why should geese get a bye?

[XCR-700]

I suspect that the shoreline protection act (or what you locals call it) has some clause that would prevent the installation of automated weapons system as they would have a negative impact on runoff causing the water to have to divert around the apparatus and thus disturbing the ecosystem,,,

Never mind the fact that the existence of humans in and of itself is a negative impact to the planet,,,

But in the name of all the ecologically wholly, we must attempt to control that which cannot be controlled and fix that which cannot really be fixed, but someone will now have a purpose in life, and some will have jobs, and all will be impacted and suffer restrictions and higher taxes and etc, etc, etc,,,,

Oh sorry, guess I ran off the rails,,,

In my next life I plan to be a creative writer (not necessarily a good one,,,)

Now back to the goose hunt,,,

I'll bet a box of Cherry Bombs good slingshot would wreak havoc on the critters,,, (damn, sure wish I could get my hands on a box of Cherry Bombs,,, LOL)

[MAXUM]

The sad reality is that Canada geese are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Canada geese are Federally protected by the MBTA by reason of the fact that they are listed as migratory birds in all four treaties. Regulations must meet the requirements of the most restrictive of the four, which for Canada geese is the treaty with Canada.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act provides that it is unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, purchase, barter, import, export, or transport any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird, unless authorized by permit. Take is defined in regulations as: pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to pursue, hunt, shoot, would, kill, trap, capture, or collect.

The primary motivation for negotiation of the 1916 treaty and the passage of the MBTA was to stop the indiscriminate slaughter of migratory birds by market hunters and others.

So provided we are discriminating in our attempts to slaughter them, it's all good

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

unless authorized by permit.

Well there we go, "they" just need to issue permits to hunters and also pay a small bounty and provide a disposal option.

Maybe someone can come up with a way to market goose to China and pay off the national debt,,,

Well it was just a thought,,,

[Grant]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

The sad reality is that Canada geese are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Canada geese are Federally protected by the MBTA by reason of the fact that they are listed as migratory birds in all four treaties. Regulations must meet the requirements of the most restrictive of the four, which for Canada geese is the treaty with Canada.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act provides that it is unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, purchase, barter, import, export, or transport any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird, unless authorized by permit. Take is defined in regulations as: pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to pursue, hunt, shoot, would, kill, trap, capture, or collect.

The primary motivation for negotiation of the 1916 treaty and the passage of the MBTA was to stop the indiscriminate slaughter of migratory birds by market hunters and others.

So provided we are discriminating in our attempts to slaughter them, it's all good

I wonder if this law will ever be updated to reflect the non-migratory populations. We have hundreds of thousands of the nuisances down her in Southeastern PA, and they've been officially categorized as Non-Migratory. So they stay and eat and poop and destroy our waterways all year long. Ironic -- they remain protected, yet a growing cottage industry has sprung up around chasing them away and dissuading them from "setting up camp" in business campuses, school properties, public parks, etc. One of the more innovative approaches I've seen here lately are the placement of dog silhouettes on fields. I don't think that would work on the Lake, however.


Here's an NYT article from '06 on the use of silhouettes.

And here's a company that offers them.

It may be an option for folks with waterfront property (or schools or golf courses, etc.) that want to keep them away.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

There was a problem with geese landing on the ball fields at the high school in Alton. They didn't just land... they planted greasy little goose-poop land mines everywhere. The school fields were ideal because there's open water nearby, acres and acres of grassy land, and it's pretty much in the boonies. Goose heaven.

Geese don't need "acres".

You'll need to look closely to see it, but decide which of the 16 lakefronts pictured is the only one that posed the necessary "draw" to start a new goose nest under one of their three docks:

[Argie's Wife]

Of course - it's the McMansion, right?

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I am no big defender of Canada Geese. BUT: Their poop drys out quickly and turns into.... POOF. Bio Degradable Vegitable Matter. ..Compost.

NB, you might also want to do some reading on what these large quantities of "biodegradable matter" will do to feed the algae and weeds in our watershed.

[moose tracks]

Originally Posted by Fargo

I bought goose/duck repellent at Agway this week and sprayed the dock and beach. A few ducks are still hanging out here but they leave no droppings. Haven't seen the geese in several days. I hope this stuff really works. The way this place looked you'd think we had a cow roaming about.

Fargo - Is the goose/duck repellent you bought at Agway still working? I need something to keep the geese off the lawn. They are worse than dogs to clean up after.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

I think the problem is that the geese have few if any natural predators and have become quite a problem for many water supplies throughout the country. Many golf courses employ dog teams to scare the geese off, but they just move and come back.

I don't know what the answer is but Canada Geese are a big problem. I don't know if anyone ever had a run in with them but they are nasty birds.

Help! I cannot be on Canadian Geese patrol 24/7. They left huge amounts of poop that the rain did not even seem to want to destroy. Took me two weeks to get it all off the beach. This past weekend I was out there shouting at the geese like a crazy woman. They moved to our neighbor's home. I followed and threw small stones at them. I quickly noticed that at least one of them was coming at me so I retreated. I was scared to death.
They just came to our beach now, and I ran out in my non see through cotton nightgown to shoo them away. Was afraid to even wait to change into shorts. The geese keep coming back though. I cannot be here all of the time and still get groceries, go to the doctor, bank, dump, church, check in on some, etc. It almost seems like there are two flocks that merged together? SOMETHING REALLY DOES NEED TO BE DONE.
I agree with VitaBene that they are nasty birds. I also think they could be dangerous and attack people who try to get them off of their beaches so be careful.

[NoBozo]

I have been "Nipped" by big white barnyard geese when I was a youngster. The best protection was an old fashioned Broom held out in front of you with the bristles pointed at the goose. It was intended as a barrier rather than an offensive weapon. Don't turn your back on them because they will go after you. NB

[Killevippen]

I posted on this subject a few years ago and was generally routed. But now that the geese are here in greater numbers, you can see what havoc they wreak. I would be highly in favor of any measure to substantially reduce (if not entirely eliminate) the geese from our lake, AS WELL AS provide education to lakefront owners on how to make their property unattractive to these menaces.

By way of background, I also live on a lake in Mass. We went through a terrible period of time when the goose population increased 3-4X in two years. "Lawns" were really just a place to capture the crap that the lake itself couldn't hold. Several kids were bitten while swimming. And the noise, noise, noise! Fortunately the town (state?) took action and today there are still a handful of geese, but it's tolerable (barely).

I see the same downward trend at our lake that I saw in Mass several years ago. Although I came to the lakes region in the late 90s, I don't think I saw my first goose here until 4-5 years ago. Now in my cove (near Ambrose) there are 20-30. My neighbors lawns (who rarely come up here) are devastated. Mine was pretty bad too, but I've nursed it back to some semblance of normalcy (without any chemicals).

But I'm telling you, if we don't take action soon, the goose situation will be overwhelming. Think honking, crapping, biting milfoil. And for those that think this is just a lakefront owner complaining about his manicured lawn, that's your right but if you happen to also swim in the lake, you'll be neck-deep in the situation shortly (as I mentioned years ago, several local ponds had to be closed due to fecal count -- don't think it's possible here???? Been to Weirs in early August????).

Lastly, I do want to restate my seemingly contradictory love and commitment to nature and preservation. I won't state the ways that we try to minimize our impact while also protecting what we have been gifted by the beautiful region. And while I am the guy (a few times referred to as the *******) who will ask people getting too close to baby loons to back off, there are too many reasons why the geese simply have to go. And although I don't condone hunting, here's to a bountiful goose hunt season!

[VtSteve]

Where I used to live, we had a good-sized beachfront and large front yard. All grassy area (non-fertilized), the next door neighbor had a smaller shorefront with trees and no grass. The geese didn't seem to care whether it was grassy or not. The waterfowl, including ducks, have greatly reduced water quality and enhanced the summer growth of weeds.

One boring day, I counted in excess of 100 Canadian Geese just on the front lawn and beach area After years of protecting (by ignoring) the advance of pollution and other water quality issues, the environmentalists are now alarmed over the situation. A set of islands where Cormorants took over, now look like target-practice areas for agent orange. These birds have virtually disintegrated the trees and foliage on the islands, creating barren land fit for vultures.

The biggest runoff problems we have here is still agricultural, contributing some 70% or more of phosphorus to rivers, tributaries and watersheds. Algae blooms and weeds are prominently displayed by satellite imagery in areas of heavy agricultural use. Wastewater treatment upgrades have dramatically reduced sources from urbanized areas, as have upgrades to designs in developments.

While the title of the thread seems harsh to many outside of lake areas, something needs to be done.

[KonaChick]

A pellet gun and my terrier kept them at bay yesterday....

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Help! I cannot be on Canadian Geese patrol 24/7. They left huge amounts of poop that the rain did not even seem to want to destroy. Took me two weeks to get it all off the beach. This past weekend I was out there shouting at the geese like a crazy woman. They moved to our neighbor's home. I followed and threw small stones at them. I quickly noticed that at least one of them was coming at me so I retreated. I was scared to death.
They just came to our beach now, and I ran out in my non see through cotton nightgown to shoo them away. Was afraid to even wait to change into shorts. The geese keep coming back though. I cannot be here all of the time and still get groceries, go to the doctor, bank, dump, church, check in on some, etc. It almost seems like there are two flocks that merged together? SOMETHING REALLY DOES NEED TO BE DONE.
I agree with VitaBene that they are nasty birds. I also think they could be dangerous and attack people who try to get them off of their beaches so be careful.

They act tough but they are not, just stand your ground or advance on them and they will usually back down. A broom or something can help convince them they can't take you. If you get caught with nothing a kick will work, doesn't have to hurt them, just help it on its way. You do need to be careful though, even though the bites don't really hurt that bad, they do know exactly which bits to attack if you know what I mean, better to be on the offensive with them.

[Lucky1]

No sign of the geese for some time now? Anyone else have them??

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

No sign of the geese for some time now? Anyone else have them??

Yep, tell me where you are, I'll sent them over!!

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

No sign of the geese for some time now? Anyone else have them??

Today, a flock of an even-dozen Canada Geese descended low over my sailboat (boy, am I glad I have a boat with "sail-protection") and landed in the water just southeast of Flasher 19. (An area with lots of boulders that with the water level—right now—could be called "Witches II" ).

I was leaving, as the wind had picked up, but they were last seen paddling towards the nearby extensive green lawnscape...that is the Marriott Compound.

These are big birds, and there were twelve of 'em!

[tis]

They visited us too, Acres. We squirted squirt guns at them. They left but aren't too scared.