Fifteen years ago there were probably only 5,000 Canada geese in the entire Twin Cities metro area, said Wilds, whose office at the Fort Snelling Federal Building overlooks the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Now weve got 25,000 geese; and theyre causing problems.
At issue are resident Giant Canada geese, as opposed to their Arctic-nesting brethren. Once rare, Giant Canadas are one of several different Canada goose subspecies which frequent the Midwest. As residential and lakeshore development increased throughout Americas urban areas, goose population dynamics also changed. In the early 60s, it was estimated there were only 50,000 Giant Canadas left in all of North America. Now, that figure stands at over two million birds in just the eastern U.S. alone. By comparison, migratory Canada geese across the continent only increased from 1.8 to 3 million birds during that same period.
It is easy to see why the resident birds have flourished. From a gooses point of view, our lakeshore lawns, parks, and golf courses--offering short, succulent grass, open water, and few predators--provide ideal habitat for feeding and loafing. But there are problems. As many urban residents know, these range from deposits made on lawns, sidewalks and parkways to outright attacks on people as the geese defend nests and goslings during the nesting season.
A more ominous threat also looms--the possibility of goose/airplane collisions near urban airports, which have become increasingly popular goose resting spots. It is a threat airport authorities and the Service takes seriously. In 1995, 24 people died in the crash of a Boeing
707 jet aircraft after it collided with Canada geese on take-off from the Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska. During the same year a Concorde jet lost two engines after smacking several geese while on final approach at JFK International, and a similar incident occurred at La Guardia. Estimates by the FAA put the goose strike number at about 240 annually, resulting in millions of dollars in damage.
Collisions between feathered and man-made flying machines are not a new problem. This is a problem weve been working on for many years, says Service Migratory Bird Permits Specialist Marlys Bulander, who also works out of the Fort Snelling office. Part of Bulanders responsibilities involve reviewing permit applications to take migratory birds. Take in this case means shooting, killing, trapping, capturing or collecting the birds--or attempting to do so.
Some of the permits Bulander issues go to states or municipalities to deal with specific goose problems, like airport geese. Other permits go to institutions for research purposes, where scientific studies are underway which examine goose reproduction and possible reproduction inhibitors.
The Service also helps evaluate the selection of new airport sites or modifications to existing airports for potential wildlife hazards, including the potential for bird/aircraft collisions.
Do you wonder what would happen if a bird were to strike the wing of your passenger jet, or be ingested into the engine? It is a question that has been answered many times by aircraft manufacturers, who conduct these types of tests regularly when designing new aircraft. (The answer is that most modern aircraft are designed to withstand the impact or ingestion of a single 1-3 pound bird. However, multiple strikes, or strikes from large birds, can be very dangerous.)
The permitting system used by the Service is authorized under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and covers many species of birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for managing all migratory birds with the exception of English Sparrows, Starlings, feral pigeons and upland game birds, says Bulander, so permits are needed for any activity which might impact migratory birds; not only geese but ducks, raptors, gulls, woodpeckers and even song birds.
This program allows the Service to work with individuals and local communities to manage migratory birds and deal with the problems they can sometimes cause. While the agency has broad authority to issue permits for all migratory birds; in recent years, much of the workload has centered on the problems caused by urban Canada geese. It is a big job. In addition to problems at airports, Bulander has also documented numerous cases where geese have attacked and injured humans.
Theres a need to really actively manage our goose populations in metropolitan areas, says Migratory Birds Chief Wilds. Not just here, but across the country. Our urban Canada goose populations are at a point now where theyve become a nuisance and, in certain cases, a safety hazard. So far weve been successful working with local governments, state wildlife authorities and airport managers to keep these populations under control. But goose populations continue to rise and; once geese establish themselves in an area, they can be very difficult to convince they should spend their time elsewhere.
Goose control measures have included hazing or frightening the birds with vehicles, noise makers, falcons, and dogs; the use of electric fencing; the use of flags or balloons to discourage geese from landing; live capture and relocation; and lethal controls.
Catching the geese and relocating them has been used effectively for many years. In mid- summer adult geese molt, losing their old flight feathers and growing new ones--effectively rendering the birds flightless for a few weeks. During this period, both the adults and juvenile birds can be trapped and transported away from problem areas. Juvenile birds imprint on the area where they fledge, or first learn to fly, so transplanting these birds to different areas during this time ensures that they will return to these new areas during each subsequent spring migration.
While effective in removing problem geese, relocation to other areas has proven to be a short-term solution. The reason: The market for Giant Canada geese has been saturated--every state wildlife agency which wanted geese now has them; and they do not want any more.
Given a choice, Wilds says the Service would rather employ non-lethal methods of goose control. Unfortunately, while such methods are effective in the short-term, in the long run they generally just serve to move problem birds from one area onto another, where the same problems occur. This has forced the agency to explore lethal control options.
Lethal control measures have taken different forms. One of the most successful has been hunting. Working with state wildlife departments, the Service has authorized special goose hunting seasons. These seasons are designed to take place early in the hunting season before the migration of non resident birds begins or late in the season once most migrating birds have passed through. Liberal bag limits combined with generally good hunting conditions and a highly palatable end result have made the hunts popular with waterfowlers. In some cases, the hunts have also generated new economic benefits as guide services have formed to serve this off-season clientele.
Another popular option is the food shelf program, administered by state authorities under a Service permit. Here, captured geese are processed, frozen and donated to area food shelves, where they are provided at no cost to needy families.
Its a win-win program, says Wilds. The urban goose populations are held in check, and local residents benefit directly. Its been very well-received by most people.
The food shelf program is not without its opponents however. Both the Service and cooperating state wildlife agencies have been criticized by animal rights groups for incorporating the food shelf program into their urban goose management strategies.
But Service Regional Director Bill Hartwig of the Minneapolis office stands by the goose control program, including lethal methods like processing the birds for local food shelves. Weve got a very active and effective migratory bird permit program in our region, and the food shelf program is an important part of it, said Hartwig, adding he feels the program provides a good balance between common sense and effective wildlife management.
Let me be clear, he continued. No organization takes the welfare of wild animals more seriously than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. But while we need to protect our animals, we also need to address human safety concerns. The story of our Giant Canada geese is a very positive one, and Id much rather deal with the problem of having too many than too few. For now, well continue to do whats necessary to keep urban goose populations at a safe, acceptable level.
Although all goose permit applications from state wildlife agencies are considered on a case-by case basis, Hartwig expects to support state food shelf programs for urban geese again in 1998.
HOMEOWNERS TIPS FOR DEALING WITH URBAN GEESE
It is that time again when geese will begin searching for nesting sites.
If geese are not welcome on your property, here are some tips you
can use to discourage their activities.
PREVENTION IS THE KEY
Make your property less attractive to geese
-Dont feed geese
-Leave a 20-30 foot barrier strip of tall grass (6 inches or more) adjacent to lakeshore
-Plant dense hedges or erect fencing near lakeshore areas to reduce access to your lawn
-Check your property frequently for nest building activity during the spring
-Remove any nesting materials found
-Harass geese that frequent your property
-Be persistent (the geese will be!)
Support special metro goose hunting seasons in your area to keep populations in check
THE LEGALITIES OF GOOSE CONTROL*
(*under Federal law--state laws may be more restrictive, contact your state wildlife agency for more information)
What you can do
-Harass the birds prior to nesting using noisemakers, dogs, or implements like brooms or rakes
-Remove accumulated nesting material (prior to nesting)
-Erect fences and barriers to keep geese off your property
What you cant do (unless in possession of an applicable federal permit)
-Injure, capture or kill geese (except under applicable hunting regulations)
-Disturb geese on an established nest
-Collect or destroy goose eggs
Contact your state conservation agency
Contact your local office of Wildlife Services (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
Iowa 515/233-9130
Illinois 217/241-6700
Indiana 765/494-0535
Michigan 517/224-9517
Minnesota 218/327-3351
Missouri 573/446-1862
Ohio 614/469-5681
Wisconsin 608/837-2727
FAST FACTS ABOUT: Giant Canada geese
- Protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Feed by grazing on succulent grasses and small plants
- Weigh 12 pounds or more
- Live 10 years or more
- Able to reproduce at 2-3 years of age
- Eggs hatch in 28 days--broods average 4 goslings
- Return to the same nesting and feeding areas each year
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
