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Hypothetical Question

OhioWhiteTails

Senior Member
Supporting Member
8,477
191
Flatlands
A friend of mine has an issue with geese in the spring. This friend has a pond and can't stand having the 1,000 pounds of goose shit in, and round this pond. He has been successful at running off the masses, but still has a few couples that like to nest every spring. He has wanted to "eliminate" them all together, but his neighbors kids (highschool girls) like to see the goslings. So it sounds like he wants to do it under the cover of darkness or when they're not home. Any suggestions on how to "manage" this situation, with the neighbors being none the wiser? Asking for a friend......
 

Sgt Fury

Sgt. Spellchecker
Poisoning isn’t good because of non target animals. Shooting them with a firearm is effective but you’ll have to be sure the neighbors are not there. Trapping is an option but the neighbors will notice the traps...and you’ll have to put them down because if you relocate, they’ll be back. Maybe a night hunt with something quiet...like a crossbow at 3:00 am. Non lethal suggestions would be sending some fireworks downrange when it is dark outside....being harassed non stop may make them go elsewhere, but again..the neighbors will know and may get upset. You did say this was hypothetical, right?
 
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Sgt Fury

Sgt. Spellchecker
84C531B7-B01A-4629-8533-DFDA53908245.jpeg
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,084
223
Ohio
DO NOT shake the eggs or kill any geese. Without the proper permits you will be breaking migratory (federal) game bird laws and will get your tit in a ringer real quick. The key to getting rid of geese is consistency. In February and March they are establishing nesting areas, so this is the most critical time to start harassing them. You need to chase them off the property every time you see them, preferably AWAY from the water... into some corner, hardscape, fence, treeline, whatever if they don't fly... Anything that scares the living buhjesus out of them. If they go into the water, you need to get them out. A Labrador, or a remote controlled boat, or an empty bleach bottle half-full of rocks tossed behind them on a rope... You need to get them out of the water. If not, they just wait for you to leave and come back out, and you've basically accomplished nothing. Scare them away, persistently and consistently. If you don't do it before they go to nest, you're basically screwed until after the young are born and fledged. Then you need to start the process all over.

As far as the kids go, someone needs to decide to be a parent instead of a friend... and tell them the truth about the geese and goslings. Doing it under the cover of darkness or when they aren't home isn't going to solve the problem. Geese need 3 things... Food, Water, and Space. If you aren't completely getting rid of one of those elements, which in most cases isn't possible, the only other solution is harassment. You can get kill permits or egg shaking permits, but the State generally won't issue them unless you've tried these other tactics.
 

Riverdude

The Happy Hunting Grounds Beyond
Supporting Member
10,254
115
Ashtabula, Ohio
I have heard if you put coyote urine around the bank of the pound that will work. Also read if you put a goose or geese decoy in the water with it's head down under water that scares them.