Geese

We have a large number of Canada geese on our ponds and wetlands. While this is lovely, it may also be noisy, messy, and disruptive for some of our home owners.

If the Canada geese are encroaching too much on your property, there are steps you can take to inhibit this. (Remember, Canada geese which were at one time on the endangered species list, are now plentiful in number. Canada geese were responsible for downing US Airways flight 1549, Scully's Miracle on the Hudson.)

Humanely Scare Away Canada Geese

The Humane Society has some hints for discouraging Canada geese.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/geese/tips/canada_geese_scare_away.html

Register to Dispose of Goose Eggs

As a landowner, you can register for federal authorization to lawfully dispose of goose nests and goose eggs.

https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR

You must register each year prior to taking nests and eggs. You must register between January 1 and June 30 of the year in which the nests and eggs will be destroyed. You must also enter the individual names of employees or agents who may conduct the work on your behalf. You must be at least 18 years of age to register.

Each registrant must return to this site by October 31 to report the number of nests with eggs which were destroyed, for each month and location county. You must report even if you conducted no activity. You will not be able to register for future seasons if you have an outstanding report after 12/31 of the present year.

Yes, this is lawful in Pennsylvania:

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter147/s147.746.html

§ 147.746. Exceptions for resident Canada geese.

(a) Egg addling and nest destruction. Private landowners and managers of public lands and their employees or agents may destroy the nests and eggs of resident Canada geese on lands under their jurisdiction when necessary to resolve or prevent injury to people or damage to property or agricultural crops between March 1 and June 30 without the need for a joint state/Federal permit when the following conditions have been met:

1. Private landowners or managers of public land have registered with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at www.fws.gov/permits/mbpermits/gooseegg registration.html. Each person who will be conducting the activity shall be registered at this site prior to implementing control activities.

   1. Eggs may be addled by shaking, freezing with CO2 or oiling. If addled by oil, only 100% corn oil may be use.

   2. Nests and eggs may be disposed of by burying or burning.

2. Persons exercising privileges authorized by this subchapter shall file a report with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at www.fws.gov/permits/mbpermits/gooseeggregistration.html no later than October 31 of each year. Failure to file a report may result in the denial of permission to addle the eggs or destroy the nests of resident Canada geese in subsequent years.

3. It shall be unlawful to interfere with the nest or eggs of resident Canada geese without first registering with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as required by this subchapter.