Swans don’t always drive away Canada geese.

If you were wondering if swans were effective in keeping Canada geese out of a pond just look at this photo.
The Goose Academy is a two-day training on the management of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) offered by the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA). I have the pleasure of being part of the training team under the leadership of Master NWCOA Instructor, Vikki Rawe.
We just finished a training event in Middleton, NY on June 26-7, 2014. It was two-days of presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on control. We covered, marketing, pyrotechnics, use of dogs, lasers, boats, goose biology, laws, and round ups.
If you are interested in being notified about NWCOA trainings, subscribe to this blog or contact NWCOA at GoNWCOA@gmail.com
Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.
If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.
All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA, pronounced “New ko-ah”) has a two-day workshop that provides attendees with all the information and practical skills needed to manage damage by Canada geese (Branta canadensis).
The training covers biology, damage identification, business tips and marketing, laws, and control methods.
Vikki Rawe is the Master NWCOA Instructor for the Goose Academy. She has experience in running a successful wildlife control company and controlling damage by Canada geese. She provides this training to improve the professionalism within the industry and to help other companies expand and improve their services.
To learn more about the Goose Academy and attend the training being offered in Middletown, NY at the end of June, NWCOA Goose Academy
You have seen them around, you may have even admired them. But in recent years they have become a big problem. Golf courses, beach front property owners and community parks have been fouled with goose droppings. A Canada goose (not Canadian goose), while a majestic bird, can deposit about a half a pound of fecal material on your grass each and every day. The problem of course is how to get rid of them.
Canada geese are protected under the North American Migratory Bird Treaty which was ratified in the early 20th century. Essentially it provides legal protection of birds that migrate across national borders of Mexico. The treaty allows the birds to be killed during either a regulated hunting season or when they are committing property or crop damage.
The trouble is while you might think that you are suffering property damage, the government requires that non-lethal options be tried first. Only after non-lethal options have been tried will the government give you a permit for lethal control.
*Hazing: Hazing consists of harassing the birds so that they no longer will frequent your water front property. The best way this is accomplished it to setup a dog run parallel to the water. Let the dog chase and bark at the geese. The key is to find a dog that loves to chase geese and is not intimidated by them. Note, it’s illegal to haze geese when they are in the molt (i.e. flightless).
*Pyrotechnics/sonic devices: These are exploding devices that are shot from a 12-gauge shot gun. They cause a loud bang when they are fired and when they explode some thirty yards away. They can be very effective when used as soon as the flock begins to use the pond or property. But if they become established its effectiveness is lessened or may be only temporary. The problem with these devices is the legal restrictions on their use on account that they are considered firearms. Before you buy them be sure to check with your police department to see if they will permit its use.
*Fencing: Placing a three foot high fence along the edge of the water can be a very effective method of preventing geese from defecating on your lawn. Geese like being able to have free access from the water to the lawn and vice versa. The fence doesn’t have to be pretty, expensive or even permanent. You can even use chicken wire.
*Landscaping: Planting shrubs on your property near the water line can be a great method of discouraging geese. Geese prefer open grass so that they can easily see their predators. Placing shrubs around the edge of the water helps reduce their line of vision making them more vulnerable to natural predators and more nervous.
If you would like further assistance with applying these methods contact me.
Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.
If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.
All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
By Arthur E. Smith, Scott R. Craven and Paul D. Curtis, 1999. Jack Berryman Institute Publication 16, and Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, NY. 42 letter size pages.
One area of animal damage control that will require the attention of an increasing number of wildlife control operators (WCO) in the coming years is the managing of Canada geese. Although almost hunted to extinction earlier in this century, Canada geese have made a remarkable comeback. Complaints are definitely on the rise. Severity of the geese problems range from fecal material on lawns to the threat of bird strikes.
This booklet was created to act as an information clearing house on the available techniques for handling/resolving Canada Geese problems.
The booklet can be divided into three basic section. The first section dutifully explains the present Canada geese problem and why it needs to be addressed. The authors then provide a two page natural history of the birds, placing special attention on information useful for controlling geese.
The authors then outline the difficulties that need to be addressed before an effective goose management strategy can be implemented. Suggestions are given to help officials address and minimize the political ramifications of the chosen management techniques.
I was disappointed that the authors mistakenly referred to animal rights groups as animal welfare groups. Perhaps the authors were trying to be kind. But their use of this inaccurate language can give the less astute reader the impression that hunters and biologists aren’t concerned with animal welfare.
The second section, which covers the lion’s share of the booklet, lays out the various control techniques presently available. The techniques are organized in order of how adversely the technique will impact the geese. The first technique listed is the discontinuance of feeding, while the last technique is active hunting. In short, the techniques move from the non-lethal to the lethal.
The third section consists of 3 appendices. Sometimes appendices are little more than filler. Such is not the case in this booklet. Here the authors have compiled appendices that will greatly simplify any NWCO’s need for easy access to information. The first appendix consists of a grid on equipment suppliers. In an instant you can see which suppliers sell various control products. The second appendix lists the addresses and phone numbers of the listed suppliers in appendix one. The authors have also added phone numbers of the USDA-Wildlife Services by state and the Canadian wildlife offices for each province as well. I thought these government additions were a nice touch. The third appendix summarizes the techniques so you can easily peruse them noting the strengths and weaknesses, relative cost (little, medium high) and when the technique should be instituted. To my mind the appendices make the booklet well worth the 10 dollar cost.
The authors have clearly done their homework. The reader will be pleasantly surprised at the miraculous way the authors blended accuracy, brevity and clarity. Each technique is explained and then the reader is informed as to its relative effectiveness. The authors also explained ways that made the techniques work more effectively and even warned you of actions that did the reverse. I was particularly impressed when they provided information on potential costs of a technique, such as how much it would cost to use Border Collies to haze geese. This type of information can be extremely useful to WCOs looking to provide consultation or estimating a job quote.
The authors are also to be commended for warning how some of the techniques may cause unwanted effects, such as moving the geese to another area where they are not wanted.
I give the booklet an animal damage control grade of A- because it is getting a bit dated and doesn’t include newer techniques such as methyl anthranilate. Nevertheless, it is a must have publication that will clearly educate anyone looking to enter the geese control business. After reading this document you will have greater confidence in explaining the pros and cons of each potential control option. As can be expected the authors have included a comprehensive bibliography, if you desire to check out the primary sources.
The text was professionally laid out and easy to read. Photos and line drawings were clear and understandable. My one complaint here concerns the choice of some of the photos. I thought a photo of a propane canon and people feeding geese would have been better replaced with photos on landscape design that discouraged geese. Another photo that could have been included would be one of how to properly hold a goose. In and of themselves, the photos published are fine. But if there were budgetary concerns, I would have thought using other photos would have added more informational value.
Nevertheless, I can assure you, getting a copy of Managing Canada Geese will be worth the effort.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.