Nuisance Canada Geese
Canada geese are a valuable natural resource that provide recreation and enjoyment to bird watchers, hunters, and the general public throughout New York State. But in recent years, flocks of local-nesting or "resident" geese have become year-round inhabitants of our parks, waterways, residential areas, and golf courses, and too often, they are causing significant problems.
In urban and suburban areas throughout New York State, expanses of short grass, abundant lakes and ponds, lack of natural predators,limited hunting, and supplemental feeding have created an explosion in resident goose numbers. While most people find a few geese acceptable, problems develop as local flocks grow. Problems include over-grazed lawns, accumulations of droppings and feathers on play areas and walkways, nutrient loading to ponds, public health concerns at beaches and drinking water supplies, aggressive behavior by nesting birds, and safety hazards near roads and airports. The information provided here describes the most effective methods currently available to discourage geese from settling on your property and to reduce problems with geese that have already become established on a site.
All Canada geese, including resident flocks, are protected by Federal and State laws and regulations. In New York, management responsibility for Canada geese is shared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds or their parts (feathers, nests, eggs, etc.) except as permitted by regulations adopted by USFWS and DEC.
Following is a list of documents pertaining to Canada goose problems and permits in New York. Most were created or updated to reflect new federal regulations and DEC's General Depredation Permit (GDP) for Take of Canada Geese:
1. When Geese Become a Problem (DEC, May 2007, 512 k pdf) - A fact sheet that provides general information on Canada geese in New York, and describes the most effective methods currently available to prevent or alleviate problems that geese can cause.
2. Permit Requirements for Take of Canada Geese in New York - Questions and Answers (DEC, May 2007, 55k pdf) - A fact sheet that provides general information about state and federal permit requirements to take Canada geese, including nests or eggs.
3 . New York State General Depredation Permit (GDP) for Take of Canada Geese (DEC, May 2007, 49k pdf) - The official version of DEC's GDP, specifying terms and conditions for its use.
4. Summary of Federal Canada Goose Depredation and Control Orders as Implemented in New York State (DEC, May 2007, 53k pdf) - A brief overview of the 4 federal orders summarizing the key aspects of who is eligible and what is allowed.
5. 50CFR Sec. 21.49 Control order for resident Canada geese at airports and military airfields - The full text of the federal regulation.
6. 50CFR Sec. 21.50 Depredation order for resident Canada geese nests and eggs - The full text of the federal regulation.
7. 50CFR Sec. 21.51 Depredation order for resident Canada geese at agricultural facilities - The full text of the federal regulation.
8. 50CFR Sec. 21.52 Public health control order for resident Canada geese - The full text of the federal regulation.
