Canada geese

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not feed Canada geese. Feeding encourages geese to remain in an area and can lead to overpopulation, aggression, and accumulation of feces. Bread products are not beneficial to geese and can harm their digestive system or cause wing deformities.
• Minimize the amount of mowed lawn within 10-30 feet of water because geese prefer these areas.

Around home

• Modify landscaping by allowing grass to grow at least 12 inches tall and 10-30 feet wide along ponds. Reduce goose access to surrounding greenspace by densely planting several rows of native shrubs like Redosier dogwood, Buttonbush and Common ninebark and native flowers like Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.
• Install temporary fencing and overhead string lines can also help keep geese away from ponds and other water features.
• Remove spilled bird seed, unsecured trash, or other food sources that may attract geese.
• Various goose deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and mylar tape, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.

Pets and livestock

• Geese can become defensive during nesting season. Keep pets leashed or fenced to reduce stress on both geese and pets.
• Avoid allowing pets to chase geese, which can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Geese generally do not impact livestock, but be mindful they can transmit diseases to poultry or possibly be aggressive to small animals. Keep poultry and other animals away from geese when possible.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food, reducing mowed lawn areas, and limiting shoreline access are the most effective ways to reduce geese using your area.
• Install fencing, overhead string lines, or vegetative barriers to limit goose access to preferred grazing or loafing sites.
• Various goose deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and mylar tape, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• Chemical repellents may help temporarily deter geese from feeding on lawn grass.
• Contact a licensed Canada goose contractor that can use trained herding dogs, and possibly other methods, to deter geese.
• If geese nest near buildings or parking areas, keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing nests. Geese can be aggressive.
• If a goose becomes trapped in a window well, place a rough board as a ramp to allow them to walk out without handling.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of Canada geese other than for approved management.
• If you found an injured goose or a young goose that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Where allowable, hunting is an effective and economical tool to control Canada goose populations. Requirements, season dates and bag limits can be found in the current Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
• In areas where hunting is not allowable, the Canada Goose Management Program gives landowners (including businesses and other commercial entities) other options to address their goose-human conflicts on their sites, if deterrent methods are ineffective.
• Destroying Canada goose nests and eggs may be an option for reducing local Canada goose populations. If done properly and at the right time, nest destruction will prompt Canada geese to migrate north on what is called a molt migration. Nest/egg destruction can only be done under a permit issued by USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services. To obtain a nest/egg destruction permit, contact USDA Wildlife Services at mi.goose.permits@usda.gov or 517-318-3471. Alternatively, you can contact a permitted contractor for nest and egg destruction and aggressive goose removal.
• Canada geese are protected under state and federal law, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal, nest destruction, or egg treatment requires federal and state permits and any necessary state authorizations.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ask residents not to feed Canada geese. Feeding encourages geese to remain in an area and can lead to overpopulation, aggression, and accumulation of feces. Consider ordinances that prohibit feeding of geese and other wildlife.
• Minimize the amount of mowed lawn within 10-30 feet of water because geese prefer these areas.

Your community

• Modify landscaping by allowing grass to grow at least 12 inches tall and 10-30 feet wide along ponds. Reduce goose access to surrounding greenspace by densely planting several rows of native shrubs like Redosier dogwood, Buttonbush and Common ninebark and native flowers like Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding Canada geese and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Encourage parks to use animal-resistant trash receptacles and maintain clean picnic areas.
• Use fencing or overhead string lines in problem areas to discourage geese from congregating along shorelines or greenspaces.
• Install signage instructing visitors not to feed geese and other wildlife.

Pets and livestock

• Inform residents to keep dogs leashed where geese are present, especially during nesting season when geese can be aggressive. A dog chasing geese is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law, unless the dog is specifically trained to do so through a DNR permitted contractor.
• Geese generally do not impact livestock, but be mindful they can transmit diseases to poultry or possibly be aggressive to small animals. Keep poultry and other animals away from geese when possible.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food, reducing mowed greenspaces near water, and limiting shoreline access are the most effective ways to reduce geese using specific areas.
• Install fencing, overhead string lines, or vegetative barriers to limit goose access to preferred grazing or loafing sites.
• Various goose deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and mylar tape, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• Hand-held or autonomous lasers within the class 3B category can be used effectively to deter geese. But caution should be taken to ensure safe use, including reflection off water and shiny objects.
• Chemical repellents may help temporarily deter geese from feeding on lawn grass.
• Contact a licensed Canada goose contractor that can use trained herding dogs, and possibly other methods, to deter geese.
• If geese nest near buildings or parking areas, keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing nests. Geese can be aggressive.
• If a goose becomes trapped in a window well, place a rough board as a ramp to allow them to walk out without handling.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of Canada geese other than for approved management.
• If someone finds an injured goose or a young goose that they believe its mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Where allowable, hunting is an effective and economical tool to control Canada goose populations. Requirements, season dates and bag limits can be found in the current Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl. Contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office if your municipality is interested in implementing a goose hunting program.
• In areas where hunting is not allowable, the Canada Goose Management Program gives landowners (including businesses and other commercial entities) other options to address their goose-human conflicts on their sites, if deterrent methods are ineffective.
• Destroying Canada goose nests and eggs may be an option for reducing local Canada goose populations. If done properly and at the right time, nest destruction will prompt Canada geese to migrate north on what is called a molt migration. Nest/egg destruction can only be done under a permit issued by USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services. To obtain a nest/egg destruction permit, contact USDA Wildlife Services at mi.goose.permits@usda.gov or 517-318-3471. Alternatively, you can contact a permitted contractor for nest and egg destruction and aggressive goose removal.
• Canada geese are protected under state and federal law, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal, nest destruction, or egg treatment requires federal and state permits and any necessary state authorizations.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not feed Canada geese. Feeding encourages geese to remain in an area and can lead to overpopulation, aggression, and accumulation of feces. Consider policies that prohibit feeding of geese and other wildlife.
• Minimize the amount of mowed lawn, particularly near water and along walkways, because geese prefer these areas. Allow grass to grow at least 12 inches tall or densely plant taller vegetation along walkways to minimize goose use.

Grounds

• Modify landscaping by allowing grass to grow at least 12 inches tall and 10-30 feet wide along ponds. Reduce goose access to surrounding greenspace by densely planting several rows of native shrubs like Redosier dogwood, Buttonbush and Common ninebark and native flowers like Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.
• Use fencing or overhead string lines in problem areas to discourage geese from congregating along shorelines or greenspaces.
• Encourage maintenance staff to use animal-resistant trash receptacles and maintain clean picnic areas.
• Install signage instructing people not to feed geese.
• If a goose becomes trapped in a window well, place a rough board to allow escape.

Pets and livestock

• Keep dogs leashed to avoid confrontations with geese. Geese can become defensive during the nesting period in the spring.
• Avoid allowing pets to chase geese, which can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Geese generally do not impact livestock, but be mindful they can transmit diseases to poultry or possibly be aggressive to small animals. Keep poultry and other animals away from geese when possible.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food, reducing mowed greenspaces, and limiting shoreline access are the most effective ways to reduce geese using specific areas.
• Install fencing, overhead string lines, or vegetative barriers to limit goose access to preferred grazing or loafing sites.
• Various goose deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and mylar tape, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• Hand-held or autonomous lasers within the class 3B category can be used effectively to deter geese. But caution should be taken to ensure safe use, including reflection off water and shiny objects.
• Chemical repellents may help temporarily deter geese from feeding on lawn grass.
• Contact a licensed Canada goose contractor that can use trained herding dogs, and possibly other methods, to deter geese.
• If geese nest near buildings or parking areas, keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing nests. Geese can be aggressive.
• If a goose becomes trapped in a window well, place a rough board as a ramp to allow them to walk out.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of Canada geese other than for approved management.
• If someone finds an injured goose or a young goose that you believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Where allowable, hunting is an effective and economical tool to control Canada goose populations. Requirements, season dates and bag limits can be found in the current Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl. Contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office if interested in implementing a goose hunting program.
• In areas where hunting is not allowable, the Canada Goose Management Program gives landowners (including businesses and other commercial entities) other options to address their goose-human conflicts on their sites, if deterrent methods are ineffective.
• Destroying Canada goose nests and eggs may be an option for reducing local Canada goose populations. If done properly and at the right time, nest destruction will prompt Canada geese to migrate north on what is called a molt migration. Nest/egg destruction can only be done under a permit issued by USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services. To obtain a nest/egg destruction permit, contact USDA Wildlife Services at mi.goose.permits@usda.gov or 517-318-3471. Alternatively, you can contact a permitted contractor for nest and egg destruction and aggressive goose removal.
• Canada geese are protected under state and federal law, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal, nest destruction, or egg treatment requires federal and state permits and any necessary state authorizations.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not purposely feed Canada geese. Feeding encourages geese to remain in an area and can lead to overpopulation, aggression, and accumulation of feces.
• Minimize the amount of mowed lawn within 10-30 feet of water because geese prefer these areas.

Your farm or orchard

• Geese may be attracted to freshly planted fields or those with abundant sprouting crops. Adjust crop planting schedules or field rotations if geese repeatedly target specific fields.
• Use vegetation barriers or discourage grazing by allowing field edges, particularly near water, to grow taller. Reduce goose access to areas surrounding ponds and other water features by densely planting several rows of native shrubs like Redosier dogwood, Buttonbush and Common ninebark and native flowers like Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.

Pets and livestock

• Avoid allowing dogs to chase geese, which can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they chase wildlife.
• Geese generally do not threaten livestock but may compete with grazing animals for emerging crops.
• Minimize goose access to poultry food and spilled grain to prevent potential disease transmission between geese and poultry.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food, reducing mowed areas, and maintaining tall and dense vegetation along water edges are the most effective ways to reduce geese using specific areas.
• Install fencing, overhead string lines, or vegetative barriers to limit goose access to preferred areas.
• Various goose deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and mylar tape, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• Hand-held or autonomous lasers within the class 3B category can be used effectively to deter geese. But caution should be taken to ensure safe use, including reflection off water and shiny objects.
• Chemical repellents may help temporarily deter geese from feeding on lawn grass or planted seeds.
• Contact a licensed Canada goose contractor that can use trained herding dogs, and possibly other methods, to deter geese.
• If geese nest near buildings, keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing nests. Geese can be aggressive.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of Canada geese other than for approved management.
• If you found an injured goose or a young goose that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Where allowable, hunting is an effective and economical tool to control Canada goose populations. Requirements, season dates and bag limits can be found in the current Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
• Consider enrolling your property in the DNR Hunting Access Program that provides financial incentives to private landowners who allow hunters access to their lands.
• In areas where hunting is not allowable, the Canada Goose Management Program gives landowners (including businesses and other commercial entities) other options to address their goose-human conflicts on their sites, if deterrent methods are ineffective.
• Destroying Canada goose nests and eggs may be an option for reducing local Canada goose populations. If done properly and at the right time, nest destruction will prompt Canada geese to migrate north on what is called a molt migration. Nest/egg destruction can only be done under a permit issued by USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services. To obtain a nest/egg destruction permit, contact USDA Wildlife Services at mi.goose.permits@usda.gov or 517-318-3471. Alternatively, you can contact a permitted contractor for nest and egg destruction and aggressive goose removal.
• Canada geese are protected under state and federal law, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal, nest destruction, or egg treatment requires federal and state permits and any necessary state authorizations.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not allow staff or visitors to feed Canada geese. Feeding encourages geese to remain in an area and can lead to overpopulation, aggression, and accumulation of feces.
• Minimize the amount of mowed grass, standing water and cropland that can attract geese to airfields. If permissible, allow grass to grow at least 12 inches tall and 10-30 feet wide along ponds. Reduce goose access to surrounding greenspace by densely planting several rows of native shrubs like Redosier dogwood, Buttonbush and Common ninebark and native flowers like Coneflower and Joe Pye Weed.

Around buildings

• Inspect buildings and hangars for potential loafing or nesting sites. Geese may nest on rooftops.
• Remove or trim vegetation around buildings that may provide nesting cover for geese.
• Use caution when approaching geese, especially during nesting season when geese can be aggressive.

Pets and Livestock

• Avoid allowing pets to chase geese, which can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Geese generally do not impact livestock, but be mindful they can transmit diseases to poultry or possibly be aggressive to small animals. Keep poultry and other animals away from geese when possible.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Reduce habitat attractiveness by maintaining tall and dense vegetation along shorelines and limiting goose access to water, where possible.
• Various goose deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers and mylar tape, are available from retailers. Their effectiveness may be brief, and alternative methods may be needed.
• A licensed Canada goose contractor may be hired to use trained herding dogs, and possibly other methods, to deter geese.
• Hand-held or autonomous lasers within the class 3B category can be used effectively to deter geese. But caution should be taken to ensure safe use, including reflection off water and shiny objects.
• Chemical repellents may help temporarily deter geese from feeding on lawn grass or planted seeds.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of Canada geese other than for approved management.
• If you found an injured goose or a young goose that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Where allowable, hunting is an effective and economical tool to control Canada goose populations. Requirements, season dates and bag limits can be found in the current Waterfowl Hunting Regulation Summary at Michigan.gov/Waterfowl.
• In areas where hunting is not allowable, the Canada Goose Management Program gives airports other options to address their goose-human conflicts on their sites, if deterrent methods are ineffective.
• Destroying Canada goose nests and eggs may be an option for reducing local Canada goose populations. If done properly and at the right time, nest destruction will prompt Canada geese to migrate north on what is called a molt migration. Nest/egg destruction can only be done under a permit issued by USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services. To obtain a nest/egg destruction permit, contact USDA Wildlife Services at mi.goose.permits@usda.gov or 517-318-3471. Alternatively, you can contact a permitted contractor for nest and egg destruction and aggressive goose removal.
• Canada geese are protected under state and federal law, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal, nest destruction, or egg treatment requires federal and state permits and any necessary state authorizations.