Canada Goose Management

Practices

Jake Nave

USDA - Wildlife Services

Okemos

MDNR attempts to balance Canada goose benefits and conflicts by managing

statewide abundance

Statewide abundance is managed via hunting to maintain population within a

goal range

Hunting does not eliminate all site-specific conflicts

Several lethal and non-lethal techniques are permitted (depending on location)

to help resolve site-specific conflicts

MDNR management strategies must conform to federal laws (e.g., Migratory

Bird Treaty Act) and permits

2010 changes in Canada Goose management procedures

Key Points

• Michigan Geese

Diversity in Branta canadensis

(formerly included 11 subspecies

and 20 mgmt. populations)

• Currently 2 species recognized:

• Canada geese (B. canadensis)

• Cackling geese (B. hutchinsii)

Goose Biology

Females 9-12# Males 12-16#

Breed at 2-3 years

Return to breed where they were

fledged – high fidelity to partner

Long lived -- some 20 years

Productive and adaptive in & to urban

areas

Herbivores--mowed/fertilized lawns near

water are an invitation to dinner

Flightless molt period

Migration variable, but a molt migration

is well established

Feral Swine in Michigan –Where did they come

from?Establish Territory,

Nest Identification

Incubation = 28 days

Clutch initiation March 15- April 7

Ave. 6 eggs in 9 days

Behaviors vary in defense of territory

Molt Migration

• Non-traditional

migration

• Includes non-breeders

(sub-adults) and failed

nesters

• Can induce birds to

migrate by destroying

nests during incubation

Canada Goose Flyways

Mississippi Valley Population

Southern James Bay Population

Temperate-nesting populations

History of Giant Canada Goose in Michigan

• Thought extinct by 1918 (remnant pop. in MN & ND)

• U.S. 1946 pop. Est. 50,000

• Reintroduced to Michigan 1972 (1928-1964 =2,488)

• Michigan population goal 175,000-225,000

• 325,000 peaked in Michigan 2000 (83% in S. MI)

• 201,000 in Michigan 2009

• Management strategy uses hunting to control statewide

abundance, use other techniques for site/conflict control

• All Canada geese protected under State and Federal Statutes—

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

Michigan Canada Goose

Population Estimates, 1991-2016

0.00

50000.00

100000.00

150000.00

200000.00

250000.00

300000.00

350000.00

400000.00

450000.00

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Po

pu

lati

on

esti

mate

Year

Population estimates

Upper goal limit

Lower goal limit

Since 2011

Benefits

• Aesthetics/viewing

• Hunting (economic

value=$185 million annually

in Mississippi Flyway)

• Subsistence food value

• Ecological—the primary

avian herbivore of wetlands

• Species diversity

Negatives

• Agricultural & horticultural

• Safety - airports & aggressive geese

• Issues

– Droppings on lawns, beaches,

docks, etc.

– Grazing lawns, gardens

– Noise

– Water Contamination

• Problematic geese are a result of

distribution & timing issues, not

population issues

Non Lethal Techniques

Increase Tolerance

No Feeding Ordinances

Exclusion

Habitat Modification

Harassment

Harassment Techniques

• Coyote/Owl Decoys (move frequently)

• Motion Activated Sprinklers

• Noise

• Flashers

• NOTHING THAT WILL HARM THE BIRDS

Barriers/Habitat Modification

• Rope

• Fishing Line

• Fencing

• Barriers

• Above water grid systems

Statewide Management Options

Preferred Option Hunting – Limited in Urban Areas

Non-Lethal

Egg & Nest Destruction

Round-Up & Translocation

Egg/Nest Applications

• Mailed to sites ~ February of each year (edited)

– DO NOT fill out old applications

• Applications must be filled out entirely,

INCLUDING T/R/S (township, range section)

If applicant info is different than site, both must be

completed

Keep site name the same

Egg Nest Permits

• Single Family Residence

• Commercial/Business

• Lake Association –

requires petition or

resolution

All are free permits

Permitting Regulations for Egg Nest Destruction

• Must attend mandatory

training (2010-present)

• Must be deemed eligible

• Must have tried non-lethal

forms of harassment

• Applications due March

31st

Petition or Resolution

• Both can be valid up to 5 years, must

state how long it is valid

• Petition must represent >70% of the

lake front homeowners, forms

available online

• Resolution must be signed and dated

by an elected official

• All lake front home owners are

required to be notified

• Must acknowledge birds may be killed

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

19

93

19

94

19

95

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96

19

97

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98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

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20

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20

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20

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20

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11

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14

Nu

mb

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of

Ge

ese

or

Eggs

Year

Walnut Lake (Oakland County) Goose Round-Up and Egg Removals

Number of Geese

Egg Removals

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Nu

mb

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of

Ge

ese

or

Eggs

Year

Echo Lake (Oakland County) Goose Round-Up and Egg Removals

Goose Round-Up

Egg Removals

Reminders

• Permit does not allow

anyone to trespass or

access property not listed

on permit.

• Even if you site has a

permit, each landowner

must give permission to

access their piece of land

Round – Up Translocation

• Same 3 Types of Permits

• Permit Fees are $100-$200 (Non-refundable)

• Lake Associations still need petition/resolution

• Generally contractors are used (transport license)

• If eligible for nest destruction you must participate

before any Round-Up

• App Due May 21st (postmark)

Round -Up

• Birds relocated within the state

• Since 2011 every bird has been relocated

• Flight feathers will come back

• Applications are not mailed, must request one

Mute Swans

• Non-native to North America

• Highly Aggressive

• Outcompete Native Waterfowl

• Disrupt Ecosystem

• Consume/destroy large quantities of aquatic vegetation

• Fecal matter contributes towards water contamination(E.coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardiasis, Salmonella)

Mute Swan Management

• MDNR contracts USDA WS to conduct management

• Permit issued to applicant by MDNR

• Egg/Nest Program

• Lethal removal

• Encourages reintroduction of native Trumpeter and Tundra

Swans

Questions?