Resident Canada Geese

The population of resident Canada geese in Wisconsin has dramatically increased over the past 25 years. In some areas the increase in resident geese has led to problems like landscape damage, decreased water quality, disruption of recreational activities and decreased aesthetics from abundant goose droppings. In Wisconsin the management strategy for resident geese is 2 fold:

1. Manage the overall population through hunter harvest and
2. Address property or community specific problems with professionally guided integrated management.

Nuisance goose populations can be managed in a variety of ways including no feeding ordinances, education, habitat modification, fence barriers, scare devices, repellants, or population management. An integrated plan utilizing multiple techniques works best.

The following publication has been developed for property owners and municipalities dealing with resident Canada goose problems. This publication outlines recommended management techniques and other important things to consider when dealing with resident goose problems and contact information for professional assistance with Canada goose control efforts.

Resident Canada Goose Management [PDF 670KB]

USDA-Wildlife Services

After Integrated site specific management techniques assisted by a wildlife control specialist have been applied to a site, destroying or removing Canada goose nests and eggs and/or oiling Canada goose eggs may be necessary to manage the local goose population. Beginning in 2008 a state issued permit is required of anyone conducting these activities in Wisconsin. Those interested in conducting these activities should complete sections 1-3 and 7 of the Canada Goose Nest and Egg Depredation Permit [PDF 27KB] and mail to the address printed on the top of the application. The applicant will then be contacted by USDA-Wildlife Services before the permit is issued. By federal rule resident Canada goose nest and egg depredation activities can only be done between March 1 and June 30. In addition to the state issued permit, the US Fish and Wildlife Service also requires people conducting these activities to self register on the USFWS website and submit a report by October 31 of each year.

For more information on nuisance goose management, including damage to agricultural crops please contact USDA-Wildlife Services at the numbers below or Brad Koele - Urban Wildlife and Wildlife Damage Specialist (608)266-2151.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resident Canada Goose Nest and Egg Registration Site [Exit DNR]

Questions for Wildlife Management