The AAMDC recently received a letter from Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Services (CWS), a federal agency responsible for conservation and protection of migratory birds.  This letter addressed the issue of growing populations of Canada geese and the resulting increase in the number of conflicts between geese and people.

The preferred approach is to be proactive and avoid conflicts before they occur.  To do this, municipalities and other land owners should eliminate food sources and consider modifying habitats to make them less attractive to geese.  Steps taken beyond this could include noisemakers, or options requiring permits from CWS such as relocating birds.  Lethal options are considered actions of last resort, but will be permitted when required conditions are met. To read more on options for management of geese by municipalities, please view the attached backgrounder.

CWS asks that municipalities consider producing area goose management plans.  To assist in this process, CWS provided the attached Frequently Asked Questions and management plan template. For example, as part of the goose management plan, CWS encourages municipalities to evaluate bylaws prohibiting the discharge of firearms because of the proven success of hunting as a management tool for Canada geese.

Many Canadian municipalities have already been successful in reducing goose conflicts substantially through thoughtful planning and persistent effort.  CWS hopes that through this, it can avoid the situation where Canada geese are viewed solely as unwanted pests, rather than a valued part of the natural world.  The AAMDC encourages members to review the attached information.

Enquiries may be directed to:

Attachments:            

Backgrounder – Municipal Management of Geese
Frequently Asked Questions
Goose Management Plan Template

Attachments:

11 09 11 Municipal Goose Management Plans.pdf