Canada goose populations have dramatically increased in residential and lake home areas because: 1) habitat is abundant; 2) geese have a high reproductive potential and a long life span; and 3) mortality from hunting and other predation is low.

Geese live in a particular area that meets their needs for food, reproduction and security. Together these factors provide goose habitat. Geese are grazers that feed primarily on short grasses such as those found in parks, lawns and golf courses. They need feeding sites with open vistas and access to lakes and marshes to escape danger. Golf courses, parks and large lawns next to ponds, marshes and lakes often provide all of these ingredients. Docks, yards and beaches provide secure "loafing" sites for preening and sunning.

The simplest method involves frightening or hazing geese. In some cases, repeatedly and vigorously chasing geese from the property while armed with a broom will cause the geese to relocate.

Noise-making scare devices are a type of pyrotechnics and can sometimes be used to haze geese from you property. Pyrotechnics are most applicable in rural settings. These include "bangers" and "screamers" fired from a special launcher or "cracker shells" discharged from a 12-gauge shotgun. These devices are often offensive to neighbors. Check local ordinances before purchasing or using pyrotechnics consistent with manufacturers instructions and safety precautions. These products are available from:

Margo Supplies, Ltd. 	Reed-Joseph International
403-285-9731		800-647-5554

Stoneco, Inc. 		Sutton Ag Enterprises, Inc.
800-833-2264		408-422-9693

Some golf courses have had success hazing geese using highly trained border collies with skilled handlers to repeatedly chase geese from fairways and greens, forcing the birds to relocate. At homes, confined or chained dogs are not effective deterrents since geese quickly learn that the threat is limited. Free running dogs are not popular with neighbors and not allowed in most residential communities. However, dogs confined to the problem area by an electronic "invisible fence" may be useful in some situations. Careful selection and training of a dog motivated to chase geese is necessary to ensure success. "Invisible" dog fences are available from:

Bird scare tape or bird flash tape is a short-term or emergency strategy to reduce problems from geese walking onto your yard. Bird scare tape is most effective with small numbers of geese that have other mowed grass areas they can move to. Bird scare tape is not effective if geese are flying into your yard.

For best results:

• Carefully read and follow label and technical directions.
• If geese have used your lawn in the past, apply before you anticipate their return.
• Apply only to dry and freshly mowed turf or grass.
• Apply when temperature is above 45° F.
• Apply in full sunlight.
• Allow 3-4 hours of drying time.
• Use a sticker/spreader (available at your local farm or garden store).
• Application may have to be repeated if rain occurs within 24 hours.
• Repeat application every 3-4 days as needed.
• An alternative non-treated area for food and loafing must be available for the geese.

For shoreline property, apply repellent to a mowed strip (25 feet wide) near the lake across the entire width of the yard. One quart of ReJex-iT® AG-36 mixed with 3 quarts of water will cover 2,000 square feet. Apply ReJex-iT® with low-pressure spray equipment such as a garden pump sprayer (mist blower).

ReJex-It® AG-36 is available from:

Energized fencing can effectively and practically reduce goose grazing in your yard. It is useful in situations more severe than hazing or bird scare tape can handle. Most home owners prefer portable fencing that can be set up in 1-2 hours and quickly taken down for storage when not in use

Key components of an energized fence for geese:

(1) Energizer - The energizer is the power source for the fence. Energizers cam be battery powered or 120 volt. Low impedance energizers which deliver a short electrical pulse of at least 4,000 volts once every second are safe and effective.

Landscaping your shoreline to make it less attractive for Canada geese and their broods is considered the most effective long-term and environmentally sound method of reducing goose problems to individual yards and lawns. Canada geese avoid using areas where plants obstruct their view of the surrounding area. Temporary measures such as fences or repellents may be necessary to keep geese from you yard until landscaping is established.

The main drawback of avoidance methods discussed in this brochure is that they merely cause geese to move to another property. Increasing goose populations will eventually create a larger "demand" for habitat. This demand, often called "pressure," causes geese to become increasingly resistant to avoidance techniques.

Hunting is the most effective way to control goose populations. Special hunting seasons that target local geese have been established by the DNR. Early seasons are limited to field or upland hunting to prevent conflicts with other recreational uses of lakes. However, at the request of local government, individual lakes and wetlands may be opened.