Canada Geese: Preventative Measures Now Can Help Reduce Nesting Later!

AKRON, OH – Landowners can help prevent conflict situations with Canada geese by taking action now according to the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

Nearly extirpated from Ohio in the early part of the century, Canada geese are now so numerous that they can cause conflicts, especially in urban areas.  Urban areas contribute to the growth in the Canada goose population in three ways- an abundance of food (short grass for grazing), plenty of nesting habitat, (ponds, small lakes and water retention basins), and protection (city ordinances against goose hunting).  “Contrary to popular opinion, Canada geese are not being pushed into urban areas because of development and destruction of their habitat,” says Dan Kramer, wildlife management supervisor in northeast Ohio.  “Rather, they are being drawn to urban areas because development often increases their habitat.  As urban areas continue to grow in Ohio and the amount of goose habitat expands, it is very likely that urban geese will also continue to grow in numbers,” explains Kramer.

The Division of Wildlife routinely responds to inquiries about what can be done to alleviate problems associated with conflict geese.  Most complaints come from apartment complexes, golf courses and businesses where ponds or small lakes are surrounded by lush green grass, the perfect combination of food and cover for the adaptable Canada goose.  The critical element in goose problem solving is timing.  NOW is the time to drive geese off of property, plan ways to reduce the amount of mowed grass around ponds, and/or put up barriers to keep geese out of specific areas.  If you still have an aerator running in your pond or lake, turn it off to allow the water to freeze, forcing geese to move on.  Work on your problem now.  It is too late if landowners wait until geese start to lay eggs before they decide to do something about them.  Once that first egg is laid, almost nothing will cause that Canada goose to leave the area.  And last but not least, if you don't want Canada geese around, do not allow people to feed them on your property.