Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

One of the most easily identifiable birds, the Canada goose has the amazing ability to thrive in a variety of habitats. However, those habitats often include people-centric areas such as neighborhoods, office complexes, city parks and other developed areas. These sometimes-close quarters can feel extra frustrating for homeowners and property managers when geese begin to molt in the summer, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

“Before reporting a nuisance goose situation, it is important to know that when geese go through the molting process in midsummer, typically in late June and through July, they lose their flight feathers and are waiting to grow new ones,” says Kara Nitschke, migratory gamebird biologist with the WRD Game Management Section. “Though they may be ‘hanging around’ the same area, and may be frustrating and messy, have patience as they temporarily can’t fly right now.”

What can you do if you have goose problems? Most times of the year, geese can be deterred with the use of harassment techniques. But, because geese cannot fly during the molt, these techniques may not work right now. Instead, WRD personnel encourage affected property managers and homeowners to be tolerant until they regrow their flight feathers. The new feathers will soon grow in, the geese will regain their ability to fly and will likely move on.

If property owners continue to experience issues with Canada geese post-molting season, here are a few tips to try:

Harassment: First, try a variety of harassment techniques (also called hazing), including metallic streamers/tape, noise makers, or even trained herding dogs. These techniques may scare the geese away from your property.

Chemical Repellents: Repellents can be sprayed on the grass in your yard to deter geese from feeding in treated areas. Most repellents require re-application after mowing or after rain.

Physical Barriers: Barriers, such as wire or string 12-18 inches above the ground, or heavy vegetation (like cattails), along property lines or the shoreline can deter geese from using your property. This method requires consistency from the property owner and may not always be 100% effective.

Special Permits to Remove Geese: In cases where the above techniques have been unsuccessful, homeowners who want to reduce or eliminate the goose population on their property can obtain a permit from their local WRD Game Management office (GeorgiaWildlife.com/about/contact).  This permit allows for the legal and lethal removal of the animals.  The removal can be done by the homeowner or by a licensed nuisance wildlife trapper (list found at GAdnrle.org/special-permits#nuisance).

It is important to remember that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Canada geese except according to Georgia’s migratory bird regulations.

For more information, go to GeorgiaWildlife.com/preventing-wildlife-conflicts and then scroll down and click on “Canada Geese.”