Canada Geese and Goslings

[Airedale1]

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

[AC2717]

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

[fatlazyless]

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!

[Tired of Waiting]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

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!

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

ToW

[tis]

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.

[BroadHopper]

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.

[ITD]

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

[tis]

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.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by tis

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

[tis]

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. ????

[ITD]

Originally Posted by tis

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. ????

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.

[8gv]

Regardless of goose poop issues...

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

[Airedale1]

Originally Posted by 8gv

Regardless of goose poop issues...

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

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.

[hilltopper]

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.

[AC2717]

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

[cillovely]

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. I want him to scare them, but so far when he sees one he's more afraid than anything.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Airedale1

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.

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

[tis]

Originally Posted by ITD

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

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.

[Airedale1]

Originally Posted by tis

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?

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.

[Misha888]

Originally Posted by Airedale1

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.

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.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

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!

[ITD]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

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.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by tis

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.

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

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by tis

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.

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.

[tis]

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.

[Pineedles]

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!

[AC2717]

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

[Rattlesnake Gal]

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

[tis]

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!!!!

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

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

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

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

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!

[ITD]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

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.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by ITD

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.

[Happy Gourmand]

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.

[tis]

I haven't tried that Phantom!