Edward C.

Cleary
Assistant State Director
USDA-APHIS-
WATERFOWL
Animal Damage Control
Sandusky, Ohio 44870

Fig. 1. Geese, ducks, and other waterfowl may

damage crops by feeding in fields.

Damage Prevention and Plant crops uniformly in spring. Live Capture

Control Methods Delay fall plowing as long as possible. Walk-in funnel trap.
Use less-preferred plant species in Rocket/cannon nets.
Habitat Modification parks, cemeteries, and lawns.
Spring-powered nets.
Vertically straighten pond banks. Plant trees and shrubs to block flight
Net launchers.
Allow ponds to freeze in winter. path.
Alpha-chloralose.
Eliminate vegetation (nesting/escape Provide lure crops.
Repellents
cover) in and around ponds. Field baiting.
Frightening None are currently registered.
Reduce or eliminate fertilizer use
around ponds. Toxicants
Flags.
Exclusion None are currently registered.
Mylar tape.
Install fence around ponds, gardens, Shooting
Balloons.
and yards. Hunting is the preferred method of
Scarecrows.
Install overhead grids or netting on reducing localized populations,
ponds, reservoirs, and fish raceways. Water spray devices. where safe and legal. Hunting has a
Cultural Methods Automatic exploders. strong repellent effect.
Pyrotechnics. Killing under special permit is advised
Change the timing of planting and
Recorded distress calls. only in extreme situations.
harvesting of vulnerable crops.
Dogs. Other Methods
Produce winter grains instead of
spring grains. Destruction of nests and eggs helps to
Use grain dryers to allow earlier slow down local population
harvest of high-moisture grain. growth.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994

Cooperative Extension Division
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Animal Damage Control
E-129
Great Plains Agricultural Council
Wildlife Committee
 Identification ducks than the rest of the continent diet. Dabbling ducks, whistling ducks,
combined. Other important breeding and shovelers are primarily filter feed-
The term waterfowl is properly applied areas include coastal and interior ers and will consume almost anything
only to ducks, geese, and swans (Fig. Alaska, and the Mackenzie River edible. Torrent ducks, blue ducks, and
1). Space does not permit full species Delta. Primary duck wintering scaups feed heavily on aquatic insect
descriptions here. A bird identification grounds include the central valley of larvae, snails, and other invertebrates
guide should be consulted for exact California, the southern Great Plains, found on and under rocks in streams
species descriptions. Gulf Coast marshes, Caribbean and ponds. Large eiders, scoters, and
Islands, and Central and South steamer ducks feed heavily on mol-
Many of the control techniques are America. lusks and shellfish. Steller’s eider feeds
equally applicable to damage situa- more on soft-shelled invertebrates.
tions involving coots, rails, and cranes, Many of the historical North American
Fish are the main food of mergansers.
which are not discussed in this publi- waterfowl breeding, migrating, and
Swans are aquatic grazers and geese
cation. wintering areas are changing because
are terrestrial grazers.
of agricultural and land-clearing prac-
tices, northern prairie pothole drain-
Range age, and development of the US Fish General Biology,
and Wildlife Service’s National Wild-
In North America, most waterfowl are
Reproduction, and
life Refuge system. Worldwide, water-
migratory, flying long distances in the fowl occur on every major land mass Behavior
spring and fall between the summer except Antarctica.
breeding grounds and wintering areas. Waterfowl are normally monogamous
Some species or geographic popula- and solitary nesters. The size of the
tions of some species, however, never Habitat nesting territory is determined by the
leave the breeding areas. The Florida aggressiveness of the particular pair of
and mottled ducks, southern popula- Waterfowl, as their name implies, are birds. Pair formation in geese and
tions of wood ducks and hooded mer- most often found near water. They swans tends to be permanent until one
gansers, and some populations of can, however, fly long distances to and of the pair dies; the remaining bird will
Canada geese are nonmigratory. from favorite feeding grounds, which often remate. Ducks seek a new mate
may include agricultural or upland each year.
Ducks and geese breed throughout sites. Some species, such as the mal-
North America. The primary goose lard and certain subspecies of Canada Ducks and the Ross’s goose generally
production areas for Central, Missis- geese, are extremely adaptable. They lay one egg each day until the clutch is
sippi, and Atlantic Flyway geese are are equally at home in rural and urban complete. Most other geese and prob-
Banks Island, Baffin Island, and the environments, on a pond in a city ably all swans lay an egg every other
greater Hudson Bay area. Most of park, or on a marsh in Alaska. day until the clutch is complete. Incu-
these birds winter in the southern bation is not started until the last or
Great Plains, Texas, Louisiana, and next-to-the-last egg is laid, thus all the
Mississippi coastal marshes, or the Food Habits eggs hatch at about the same time.
Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic There is a slight correlation between
states’ coastal marshes and barrier is- The food of individual waterfowl spe- the length of incubation and the size of
lands. cies ranges from fish to insects to the adult bird. Incubation periods
plants in various combinations, range from about 23 days for cackling
The primary breeding grounds for Canada geese, 28 days for giant
depending on availability. Waterfowl
geese using the Pacific Flyway are the Canada geese and mallards, to 38 days
bills have evolved to allow the exploi-
Yukon, Kuskokwin, and Copper River for trumpeter swans. Young waterfowl
tation of a wide variety of food sources
deltas and the north and west coasts of are precocial and begin foraging
and associated habitats. Even though
Alaska. These birds typically winter in shortly after hatching. The nest site is
many species are adapted to feeding in
Washington, Oregon, and California abandoned 1 to 2 days after hatching.
the water, most will readily come on
(especially Baja California, the Baja
land to take advantage of available Studies indicate many species have a
California Sur coastal marshes, and the
food. Since space does not permit a first-year mortality rate of 60% to 70%
central valley of California).
species-by-species description of food and a 35% to 40% mortality rate in
The primary North American breeding habits, a few general comments will subsequent years. Life spans of 10 to
grounds for ducks are the prairie pot- suffice. 20 years for captive ducks and 20 to 30
hole region of Alberta, Saskatchewan, for captive geese and swans are not
During the prefledging period, young
Manitoba, Montana, North and South uncommon.
waterfowl feed primarily on aquatic
Dakota, and Minnesota. Historically,
insects and other invertebrates. As
this area probably produced more
adults, waterfowl have an omnivorous

E-130
Damage and Damage Table 1. Members of the families Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans),
Rallidae (coots and rails), and Gruidae (cranes) occurring in the United States
Identification listed as endangered in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Sec. 17.11,
10-1-92 edition.
Goose problems in urban and subur-
ban areas are primarily caused by
ANATIDAE:
giant Canada geese, which are prob-
ably the most adaptable of all water- Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis)
fowl. If left undisturbed, these geese Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana)
will readily establish nesting territories Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia)
on ponds in residential yards, golf Hawaiian goose (Nesochen sandvicensis)
courses, condominium complexes, city
parks, or on farms. Most people will RALLIDAE:
readily welcome a pair of geese on a
pond. They can soon turn from pet to Hawaiian coot (Fulica Americana alai)
pest, however. A pair of geese can, in 5 California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus)
to 7 years, easily become 50 to 100 Light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes)
birds that are fouling ponds and sur- Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis)
rounding yards and damaging land- Hawaiian moorhen (Galinula chloropus sanduicensisie)
scaping, gardens, and golf courses.
Defense of nests or young by geese GRUIDAE:
and swans can result in injuries to
people who come too close. Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla)
Whooping crane (Grus americana)
Migrant waterfowl damage agricul-
tural crops in northern and central
North American. In the spring, water- 711). A complete list of all migratory Contact personnel from your local
fowl graze and trample crops such as birds protected by the MBTA can be USDA-APHIS-ADC office for informa-
soybeans, sunflowers, and cereal found in 50 CFR 10.13. Also, all states tion on obtaining a federal permit to
grains. In autumn, swathed grains are protect most waterfowl. Exotic and fe- take migratory birds.
vulnerable to damage by ducks, coots, ral waterfowl species including mute
geese, and cranes through feeding, “Landowners, sharecroppers, tenants,
swans, greylag geese, muscovy ducks,
trampling, and fouling. Young alfalfa or their employees or agents actually
and Pekin ducks are not protected by
is susceptible to damage by grazing engaged in the production of rice in
the MBTA, but may be protected by
waterfowl. Geese sometimes damage Louisiana may, without a permit,
state law or local ordinance.
standing crops such as corn, soybeans, shoot purple gallinules (Ionornis mar-
and wheat. In southern agricultural Persons wishing to take any migratory tinica) when found committing or
areas, overwintering waterfowl can bird outside of the legal hunting sea- about to commit serious depredations
cause problems in rice, lettuce, and son must first secure a federal permit to growing rice crops on the premises
winter wheat. from the US Fish and Wildlife Service owned or occupied by such persons . . .
(USFWS), and in some cases a state between May 1 and August 15 in any
Mergansers, mallards, and black ducks permit. “Take” means to pursue, hunt, year.” (50 CFR 21.45).
cause problems at some aquaculture shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or
facilities by feeding on fish fry and fin- collect, or attempt to pursue, hunt, Damage Prevention and
gerlings. Common eiders and black shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or Control Methods
and surf scoters cause problems when collect (50 CFR 10.12). “A federal per-
they feed in commercial blue mussel mit is not required to merely scare or Waterfowl can be difficult to disperse
and razor clam beds. For more infor- herd depredating migratory birds once they become established on a
mation, see Bird Damage at Aquacul- other than endangered or threatened pond or feeding site. Promptness and
ture Facilities. species or bald or golden eagles” (50 persistence are the keys to success
CFR 21.43a). when attempting to repel nuisance or
Legal Status Three species and one subspecies of depredating waterfowl. Frightening
waterfowl that occur in the United devices and repellents should be in
In the United States, migratory birds, place before the damage starts to pre-
States are listed as endangered in 50
including most waterfowl, as well as vent the birds from becoming accli-
CFR 17.11, October 1, 1992 edition
their nests and eggs, are federally pro- mated to the site.
(Table 1). In addition, five subspecies
tected (50 CFR 10.12) by the Migratory
of rails, and one species and one sub-
Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 USC. 703-
species of crane are listed.

E-131
 Habitat Modification Construct grids on 20-foot (6-m) cen- results are obtained when the monofil-
ters to stop geese; grids with 10-foot ament line fence is in place before
Discourage geese and other waterfowl
(3-m) centers will stop most ducks. geese start grazing.
from using a pond by making it and
Grid wire spacing may need to be
the surrounding area unattractive to Half-inch (11-mm) mylar tape can also
reduced to 5 feet (1.5 m) or less to stop
them. Reduce nesting, loafing, and be used to construct 2- to 3-strand ver-
all waterfowl. In most instances, grid
escape cover by mowing to the edge of tical goose-resistant fencing around
lines should be installed high enough
the pond, and by using herbicides to lawns, gardens, and crop areas. Place
to allow people and equipment to
eliminate emergent aquatic vegetation. the first strand 1 foot (0.3 m) above the
move beneath them. Tie the grid wires
Contact your local Cooperative Exten- ground, with each succeeding strand
together wherever two lines cross to
sion office for specific recommenda- 1.5 feet (0.5 m) above the previous
prevent rubbing. Excessive rubbing
tions for vegetation management in strand.
will result in line breakage. Indepen-
ponds. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer
dently attach lines to each post and not Commercial clam growers have been
applications to the surrounding grass
in a constant run. This will prevent able to protect their clam beds from
area to make the grass less nutrition-
having to rebuild the entire grid when common eiders by covering them with
ally attractive to grazing waterfowl.
one line breaks. heavy 0.5-inch (1.27-cm) mesh nylon
Feeding of waterfowl around the pond
netting. Mussel ropes can be protected
site should be prohibited. In cold Where aesthetics or other factors
from scoters and eiders by suspending
climates, shut off pond aerators in the preclude overhead grids, grids can be
them in cages made of 0.25-inch (0.64-
winter and allow the pond to freeze. installed at the water surface, or no
cm) mesh plastic coated wire fencing.
more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) below. In
Giant Canada geese generally will not Caution: Birds may become entangled
these installations, grid wire spacing
establish nesting territories in areas in the netting or wire and drown. This
should be no more than 5 feet (1.5 m).
where they cannot easily walk in and could expose the owner to prosecution
out of the local pond. Construct new Use 1- to 1.5-inch (2.5- to 3.75-cm) under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
ponds so there is an 18- to 24-inch (45- mesh polypropylene UV-protected
to 60-cm) vertical bank at the water’s netting when total exclusion is needed, Cultural Methods
edge. Discourage Canada geese from as in contaminated oil containment Agricultural Crops. Agricultural
using existing ponds by vertically basins. Support the netting with at damage caused by waterfowl can be
straightening the banks or by erecting least 0.19-inch (0.46-cm), 7 x 19-strand reduced by timing crop planting or
a 30- to 36-inch (75- to 90-cm) high galvanized coated cable on 20-foot harvest periods so they do not coin-
poultry-wire fence around the pond at centers. The support cables must be cide with periods of migration. For
the water’s edge. Use large boulder well-anchored to carry the weight of example, teal may damage early-
rip-rap, which geese cannot easily the netting and to allow the cable to be planted rice in some southern states.
climb over, in locations such as levees stretched tight to reduce sag as much Rice that is planted in April, however,
or banks around airport runways. as possible. High winds are the great- after the birds have migrated north, is
Caution: Large boulder rip-rap may est hazard to this type of netting instal- relatively safe from damage by water-
provide nesting or loafing habitat for lation. Attach the netting to the fowl.
some species of gulls. support cables to prevent wind-caused
abrasion. Abrasion can be more dam- Spring grains are vulnerable to water-
Exclusion aging than UV radiation. fowl damage in some northern regions
because of the agricultural practices
Construct overhead grids of 0.015- to Three-foot (1-m) poultry-wire fences required for their production. Many
0.030-inch (0.4- to 0.8-mm) stainless around gardens or yards will help spring grains are swathed at harvest
steel spring wire, or 0.071-inch (1.8- keep geese out of such places, as adult time, allowed to dry in the field, and
mm) and heavier ultraviolet-protected geese with young will not cross a fence then combined. The short growing sea-
monofilament line to stop waterfowl and leave their young behind. Good son, possible early frost, uneven soil
from using reservoirs, lakes, ponds, results have also been reported using types, and topography sometimes pre-
and fish-rearing facilities. Several hun- 20-pound test (9-kg), or heavier, mono- vent the even ripening needed for
dred feet (m) of monofilament line or filament line to make a 2- to 3-strand straight combining. In areas of severe
stainless steel wire can be supported fence in situations where aesthetics waterfowl damage, farmers should
between two standard, 5-foot (1.5-m), preclude the use of woven-wire fenc- consider the use of on-farm or com-
steel fence posts, because these materi- ing. String the first line 6 inches (15 mercial grain dryers so that high-mois-
als are extremely light. The 0.072-inch cm) off the ground, with each addi- ture grain can be combined early.
(0.18-cm) polyester line weighs about tional line spaced 6 inches (15 cm) Early harvest and forced drying of
12.1 pounds per mile (3.4 kg/km); above the preceding line. Suspend thin high-moisture grain, however, is
0.016-inch (0.041-cm) stainless steel strips of aluminum foil at 3- to 6-foot expensive, and can result in shrinkage
wire weighs about 4 pounds per mile (1- to 2-m) intervals along the lines to and reduction of grain quality.
(1.14 kg/km). increase visibility of the barrier. Best

E-132
Where conditions permit, the produc- Plant lure crops using local crop(s) Federal law requires that all artificial
tion of winter grains instead of spring most subject to waterfowl damage. feeding be stopped and all grain be
grains may help eliminate waterfowl Plant at the normal rate when using removed at least 10 days before hunt-
damage. Winter grains can normally good quality seed. Increase the normal ing waterfowl within the zone of influ-
be straight combined in July and planting rate by a factor of 1.5 to 2 ence of the baited area (50 CFR 20.21i).
August, long before migrating water- when using commodity grain or out-
fowl arrive in the area. Admittedly, a of-date seed to offset reduced germi- Frightening
winter grain’s rosette of leaves is vul- nation rates. Do not allow any hunting Waterfowl may be repelled by almost
nerable to grazing and puddling dam- or harassment of waterfowl in the lure any large foreign object or mechanical
age by waterfowl in both the fall and crop area until all crops are harvested noise-making device placed in a field.
spring. Research, however, has shown and the damage season is over. The length of time frightening devices
that light grazing of the winter rosette are effective depends on the nature,
Field baiting involves scattering grain
can actually increase stooling and number, and variety of devices used.
in previously harvested fields or at
grain yield. Move frightening devices every 2 to 3
natural waterfowl feeding and/or loaf-
Conduct spring planting in as short a ing areas to attract and hold waterfowl days and use them in varying combi-
time as possible. This may reduce the away from unharvested fields. Studies nations to improve efficacy and pre-
length of time that area crops are vul- in North Dakota indicate that the most vent habituation. Repellents should be
nerable in the fall and allow harvesting effective diversion of waterfowl occurs in place before the start of the damage
in the shortest time possible. Delay fall when the bait is made available within season to prevent waterfowl from es-
plowing as long as possible in areas 2 to 3 days of the birds’ first feeding in tablishing a use pattern.
where waterfowl damage standing or an area. There are no set rules about Visual repellents such as flags, bal-
swathed grains. Waterfowl can be the amount or type of bait to use. loons, and scarecrows are normally
encouraged to feed in the stubble, away Make enough bait available to ensure used at one per 3 to 5 acres (1.2 to 2 ha)
from unharvested crops, by using that none of the birds go away hungry. before waterfowl become accustomed
harvested fields as field-baiting sites If the birds cannot get enough to eat at to loafing or feeding in the area. After
(see Alternate Food Sources below). the baiting site, they will go elsewhere. the birds become accustomed to using
The bait grain should be something the an area, one or more per acre (0.4 ha)
Recent research indicates that geese
birds are familiar with and prefer. The may be necessary. Visual repellents
prefer certain grass species over others
same material that is grown in the field should be reinforced with audio repel-
for food. Bluegrass (Poa spp.) is one of
should work well. Do not allow any lents such as automatic exploders, py-
the most preferred, and tall fescue
harassment of waterfowl in the area of rotechnics, or distress calls for
(Festuca arundinaceae) is one of the least
the baited field until all crops are har- optimum results.
preferred. Plant tall fescue instead of
vested and the damage season is over.
bluegrass to reduce goose grazing in All applicable state and local laws
golf courses, parks, or cemeteries. Surplus grain to conduct these feeding must be observed when using fright-
Plant trees to interfere with the birds’ programs can be obtained from the ening devices. Pay particular attention
flight paths and plant shrubs to reduce Commodity Credit Corporation to laws governing the making of loud
the birds’ on-ground visibility. (CCC). People interested in obtaining noises, discharging of firearms, use of
CCC grain for use in waterfowl dam- pyrotechnics, and use of free-running
Alternate Food Sources. Waterfowl
age abatement programs should con- dogs. Also consider the possible reac-
damage to crops can be reduced by
tact personnel from their local US Fish tion of neighbors.
providing alternate food sources in the
and Wildlife Service regional office.
form of lure crops or direct feeding. Flags for repelling waterfowl can be
CCC surplus grain may only be used
For maximum benefit, an established made with 4-foot (1.2-m) laths and 6 x
for the direct feeding of depredating
and well-organized program should 30-inch (15 x 76-cm) strips of 3-mil
waterfowl or for seeding waterfowl
be in place. safety orange plastic or red and silver
feeding areas. It may not be used to
Lure crops are typically grains that are replace grain lost to depredating mylar ribbon (Fig. 2). Tests conducted
used to attract and hold waterfowl, waterfowl. at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
thereby protecting other crop areas. indicate that black flags are not effec-
Regardless of the method used (lure tive. Place flags so they are visible by
Two general strategies are used in
crop or field baiting), it may be neces- waterfowl from all points in a field.
establishing lure crop areas: (1) seed-
sary to initially scare or herd the Waterfowl will land in an area where
ing selected areas known to have a
waterfowl away from the surrounding flags are not visible. Once the birds
high incidence of waterfowl damage
fields. Once the birds have habituated land in a field with flags and begin
with the specific intent of allowing the
to the feeding site, and damage has feeding, the flags’ effectiveness may be
birds to utilize the lure crop; (2) allow-
stopped, repelling efforts can be lost.
ing the birds to select a lure crop field
reduced.
and then paying the landowner for the
resulting loss.

E-133
 2" x 6" cardboard
(staple over plastic
or mylar on both
sides of lath)

6" x 30" mylar or

safety orange
plastic
(wrap one end
around lath)

Fig. 2 Design and construction of plastic or

mylar flags used to repel waterfowl from agri- 4' lath
cultural fields.

Balloons filled with helium, staked in mylar tape combines three control Automatic exploders, also known as
open fields or over water, have proven strategies in one — overhead grids, propane cannons, make a loud noise
to be effective waterfowl repellents. sound repellents, and visual repellents. without discharging a projectile. One
Tether the balloons with enough Wind blowing over the tape will pro- exploder may protect up to 25 acres
75-pound (34-kg) test monofilament duce a roaring sound as the tape twists (10 ha) under ideal conditions. The
line to allow them to rise at least 10 and flashes, reflecting the sunlight. In- rate of firing is manually adjustable;
feet (3 m) into the air. The use of bal- stall the tape 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 1 m) exploders should be set to fire about
loons larger than 2 feet (0.6 m) in above the area to be protected on 6- to every 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce water-
diameter is not recommended due to 30-foot (2- to 10-m) centers. For a 100- fowl habituation and increase the ef-
their increased wind resistance. Bal- foot (30-m) span, the tape should be fectiveness of exploders by mounting
loons with large contrasting eye spots twisted no more than 4 or 5 times them on turntables so the cannon ro-
seem more effective than balloons before tying it off. Over-twisting will tates a few degrees with each firing.
without eye spots. reduce the flashing and roaring effect. Turn exploders off after dusk and on
Mylar tape has a tendency to break at at dawn to reduce neighbor com-
Scarecrows can be made out of almost
the knot. This can be overcome by plaints, bird habituation, and save on
any material available. Three concepts
covering the last foot (0.3 m) of the fuel. Clock timers or photocells are
should be incorporated into any scare-
mylar with nylon strapping tape available for this purpose. Waterfowl
crow design: movement, bright colors,
before tying it off. may use fields on bright moonlit
and large eyes. For maximum effect,
nights. When they do, it may be desir-
the arms and legs should readily move Water spray devices, using high pres-
able to run exploders all night.
in the wind. Construction materials sure, rotating, clapper-type sprinkler
should be of bright colors such as red, heads have been used to repel other Pyrotechnics such as shellcrackers,
blaze orange, or safety yellow. bird species from reservoirs and fish whistle bombs, screamer/banger rock-
Research indicates that scarecrows raceways. Gulls have been repelled ets, and noise bombs can be used to
with large eyes are more effective than from drinking water reservoirs by cov- repel depredating waterfowl. These
scarecrows with small eyes. ering 50% of the total water surface devices should be fired to explode in
with the sprinklers and cycling them the air just over the birds to produce
Mylar tape, 1/2 inch (11 mm) wide,
on and off (5 minutes on and 35 to 45 the greatest scaring effect and reduce
has been used successfully to protect
minutes off) during the daylight hours. the fire hazard. Allowing pyrotechnics
lawns, crops, and other areas from
Similar methodology may be effective to explode on the ground could ignite
bird damage. When properly installed,
against waterfowl.
E-134
dry grass or weeds. Refer to Bird Dis- and the location of the problem. Secure 3. 21, 5-foot (1.5-m) steel fence posts to
persal Techniques for additional a federal permit before carrying out support the fencing.
information. live capture activity (50 CFR 21.41a). 4. Netting to cover the top of the hold-
ing pen if the geese are to be held
Recorded distress calls have been used Walk-in funnel traps (Fig. 3) are the
several hours or overnight.
to repel several species of nuisance most effective traps for capturing
birds. Canada goose distress call tapes Canada geese in late June or early July, Once the trap is constructed, herd the
are not commercially available as of when the adult birds are molting and geese into it using boats, and/or
this writing. Individuals have made have lost the ability to fly, and the gos- people walking on land. The exact
their own Canada goose distress call lings have not yet fledged. The traps number of boats and people needed
recordings and have successfully re- also work well for feral ducks and depends on the size of the area and the
pelled nuisance geese. geese in parks and similar locations. number of geese. Gasoline-powered
boats are not recommended because
Dogs trained to chase waterfowl have Set up the trap next to a lake or pond
they are too noisy. Canoes, rowboats,
been used to protect golf courses and being frequented by the birds. When
or boats with electric trolling motors
grain fields. Depending on the location possible, place the trap in the area
work best. Surround the geese on three
and situation, dogs can be free run- where the geese normally walk in and
sides, leaving the only avenue of
ning, on slip-wires, tethered, or under out of the water. In situations where
escape towards and into the trap. Once
the control of a handler. there is no lake or pond, place the trap
in position, slowly and quietly drive
in a large open area.
Live Capture
the geese into the trap opening (Fig. 4)
Construct a walk-in funnel trap using and into the holding pen. From there,
Local concentrations of problem the following, or similar materials: load the birds into suitable transport
waterfowl can be reduced by live trap- equipment (such as turkey crates and
ping. The final disposition of trapped 1. 100 to 200 feet (30 to 60 m) of 3-foot
covered pickup trucks) for final
birds should be agreed upon in (1-m) poultry wire (for the trap
disposition. When handling birds,
advance by all relevant state and fed- wings).
wear eye protection and long-sleeved
eral agencies. The trapping method to 2. 60 to 80 feet (18 to 24 m) of 5-foot
shirts to avoid getting hit, scratched, or
use will depend on the type of birds (1.5-m) woven-wire fencing (for the
pecked.
holding pen).

Install steel fence

Holding pen posts as needed for
5' welded turkey-wire support
15' to 20' square

Trap wings
3' chicken wire 50' to
100' long

Space steel fence posts every

20' to 30' along wings as
needed for support

Fig. 3. Layout for walk-in funnel trap to capture

flightless geese. Canada geese can be herded
Funnel opening
into a walk-in funnel trap during the flightless
75' to 100'
period for capture and relocation.

E-135
 Fig. 4. Herding geese into a walk-in funnel trap.

Rocket or cannon nets, typically 25 x Spring-powered netting's quiet opera- The US Food and Drug Administra-
50 feet (8 x 24 m) can be used to tion and the absence of explosive and tion (FDA) has approved alpha-
capture waterfowl. Nets with 1- to flying projectiles may, in some situa- chloralose as an immobilizing agent
1.5-inch (2.5- to 3.8-cm) mesh work tions, be an advantage even with the for the USDA-APHIS-ADC program
well for ducks; 2- to 2.5-inch (5- to net’s small area. to use in the capture of waterfowl,
6.3-cm) mesh is best for large geese. coots, and pigeons. This use is granted
Net launchers use a single large rifle
Place the net at a baiting site located exclusively to ADC under a continuing
blank cartridge to propel the net. They
close to water and bait the site with Investigational New Animal Drug
are fired from the shoulder much like
corn or other suitable bait until the bait (INAD) application. Alpha-chloralose
a shotgun or rifle. Net launchers are
is well accepted. Once the target birds may only be obtained from the
available in two styles: wide angle for
are trained to feed at the bait site, Pocatello Supply Depot for use as an
launching a 20 x 20-foot (6 x 6-m) net,
capturing them is merely a matter of avian wildlife immobilizing agent.
designed for air-to-ground helicopter
re-baiting the area, allowing the birds Alpha-chloralose may only be used by
capture, and narrow angle for launch-
to concentrate on the bait, then firing ADC employees or biologists of other
ing a 12 x 12-foot (3.6 x 3.6-m) net,
the rockets or cannons that carry the state or Federal wildlife management
designed for ground-to-ground cap-
net over the birds. Remove the agencies that have been certified in its
ture. The smaller net launchers are
trapped birds from the net as quickly use, or persons under their direct
well suited for capturing individual or
as possible. Place the birds in suitable supervision.
small groups of problem birds.
transport equipment (chicken crates,
Repellents
turkey crates) and take them to the Alpha-chloralose is an immobilizing
predetermined location. agent that depresses the cortical cen- There are no chemical repellents cur-
ters of the brain. Waterfowl fed about rently registered with the US Environ-
Spring-powered nets, about half the
30 mg of alpha-chloralose per kg of mental Protection Agency (EPA) for
size of a standard rocket or cannon net
body weight become comatose in 20 to controlling waterfowl. Several chemi-
(16 x 25 feet or 4.9 x 7.6 m), are avail-
90 minutes. Full recovery occurs 4 to cals that have shown taste or olfactory
able. They can be triggered manually
24 hours later. Alpha-chloralose is best repellent properties, including methyl
or electronically. One manufacturer
suited for capturing individual or anthranilate, are currently being
claims a closure time of less than 0.75
small groups of problem waterfowl in studied by USDA-APHIS-ADC
seconds using No. 3 mesh netting, and
situations or at times when other Denver Wildlife Research Center and
1.5 seconds using No. 6 mesh netting.
methods are not safe or practical. other agencies.

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 Water surface

Egg flotation

Bottom of pail

Flotation stage:
1 2 3 4 5 6
Approximate embryo age in days:
0-3 4-8 9 - 13 14 - 18 19 - 23 24 - 27
Waiting period (days) prior to egg removal and nest destruction:
20 15 10 5 0 0

Fig. 5. Age embryos by placing 3 or 4 eggs in a pail of water and determining the flotation.

Toxicants work and why the birds must be as shaking will probably only acceler-
removed is generally required before a ate hatching. Also, the US Fish and
There are no toxicants currently regis-
permit to kill migratory game birds is Wildlife Service, Region 3 Law
tered with EPA for controlling water-
issued. Enforcement, has taken the position
fowl.
that a pipped egg contains a live bird,
Other Methods not an embryo. Live birds may not be
Shooting
The growth of local waterfowl popula- killed under authority of an egg
Hunting, where safe and legal, is the destruction permit.
tions can be effectively slowed by
preferred method of reducing local
destroying nests and eggs. This After shaking the eggs, return them to
populations of problem waterfowl.
method is especially effective with nui- the nest, and allow the birds to incu-
Hunting has a strong repellent effect as
sance Canada geese. Secure a federal bate for at least 3 weeks. The eggs and
well. State wildlife management agen-
permit before carrying out this activity nest should not be destroyed immedi-
cies can provide information on cur-
(50 CFR 21.41a). ately after shaking. Doing so may
rent waterfowl hunting regulations.
Render eggs nonproductive by vigor- cause the geese to renest. Usually
In situations involving real and direct geese will not attempt to renest if they
ously shaking them as soon as possible
threats to human health and safety, have been incubating eggs for more
after the full clutch is laid and incuba-
such as geese around an airport, it than 3 weeks. Remove all nest mater-
tion begins. The longer incubation con-
may be possible to obtain a permit ials and eggs from the area after the
tinues, the more difficult it becomes to
from the US Fish and Wildlife Service appropriate waiting period. The nest
destroy the embryo by shaking. It is
to kill migratory game birds. “Such and eggs must be removed to discour-
safe to assume that the clutch is com-
birds may only by killed by shooting age continuation of the nesting effort
plete and incubation has started if the
with a shotgun not larger than No. 10 and defense of the nest territory.
eggs feel warm. In situations where the
gauge fired from the shoulder, and
start of incubation is unknown, eggs Most nest/egg destruction permits do
only on or over the threatened area or
can be aged using the flotation method not authorize possession of waterfowl
areas” (50 CFR 21.42a). Such permits
(Fig. 5). nests or eggs. Therefore, all eggs and
are generally issued only when the use
of nonlethal control methods is not Eggs in flotation stage 6 may be on the nest materials collected under author-
practical or possible. A solid rationale verge of hatching. If pipping has ity of such a permit must be disposed
as to why nonlethal methods will not started, the eggs should not be shaken, of immediately.

E-137
 had nuisance Canada goose problems. Conover, M. R., and G. C. Chasko. 1985.
Economics of Damage Nuisance Canada goose problems in the
It is not uncommon for geese to cause
and Control $2,000 to $3,000 damage per year to a
eastern United States. Wildl. Soc. Bull.
13:228-233.
golf course. Two golf course super-
Waterfowl cause significant losses to Cross, D. H.. 1987. Deterring waterfowl from
intendents in the greater Cleveland, contaminated areas. US Dep. Inter. Fish
agricultural and aquacultural crops,
Ohio, area estimated that Canada Wildl. Serv. Office of Information Transfer,
damage golf courses, cemeteries,
geese caused between $2,000 and Region 8. 19 pp.
lawns, and gardens, and contaminate
$2,500 worth of property damage to Duncan, M. J. 1980. The use of plastic flags for
reservoirs. Their activities can cause
each of their courses in 1989. Three controlling waterfowl damage in small
real economic hardship, aggravate nui- grains. US Dep. Inter. Fish Wildl. Serv.
other golf course superintendents, in
sance situations, or create human Leaflet. Bismarck, North Dakota. 1 pp.
the same geographic area, estimated
health hazards. A reliable figure for
that they spend $1,000 a year just Emigh, F. D. 1962. Open reservoir bird
the total national economic loss caused protection. J. Amer. Water Works Assoc.
cleaning up Canada goose droppings,
by waterfowl does not exist. The fol- 54:1353-1360
exclusive of any direct property
lowing examples serve to illustrate the Johnsgard, P. A. 1968. Waterfowl: their biology
damage.
magnitude of the problem, however. and natural history. Univ. Nebraska Press.
Lincoln, 138 pp.
In 1960, waterfowl caused an esti-
mated $12.6 million worth of damage Acknowledgments Knittle, C. E., and R. D. Porter, 1988. Waterfowl
damage and control methods in ripening
to ripening small grains on the Cana- grain: an overview, US Dep. Inter. Fish
dian prairies. In 1980, waterfowl were I wish to thank Richard A. Dolbeer and Paul P.
Wildl. Serv. Fish Wildl. Tech. Rep. 14. 17 pp.
Woronecki of the USDA-APHIS-ADC Denver
credited with causing $454,000 worth Wildlife Research Center, and Douglas A. National Archives and Records Administration.
of damage to small grains in North Andrews, Ohio USDA-APHIS-ADC, for their 1992. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50,
Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota editorial assistance in the preparation of this Parts 1 to 199, Wildl. Fish., Washington, DC.
combined. manuscript. 615 pp.
Figure 2 adapted from Duncan (1980). Terry, L. E. 1984. A wire grid system to deter
The 1989 appraised crop losses due to waterfowl from using ponds on airports. in
goose damage totaled $105,000 in the Figure 4 photo by T. W. Seamans.
Bird hazards at airports, prepared for the
four Wisconsin counties surrounding Figure 5 adapted from Westerkov (1950). Fed. Aviation Admin. by the US Dep. Inter.
Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Ref- Fish Wildl. Serv., Denver Wildl. Res. Center,
Task H - DWRC Work Unit 904.33. 19 pp.
uge (NWR). It is estimated that in the
autumn of 1989 over 1 million interior For Additional Westerkov, K. 1950. Methods for determining
the age of game bird eggs. J. Wildl. Manage.,
Canada geese passed through Horicon Information 14:56-67.
Marsh NWR. This area has one of the
largest and most active goose damage Bellrose, F. C. 1980. Ducks, geese, and swans of
abatement programs in the country, North America, 3d ed. Stackpole Books,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 540 pp.
with an annual budget of more than
Conover, M. R. 1991. Reducing nuisance
Editors
$135,000. Scott E. Hygnstrom
Canada goose problems through habitat
Robert M. Timm
Goose damage to golf courses is diffi- manipulation. Proc. Great Plains Wildl.
Damage Conf. 10:146. Gary E. Larson
cult to quantify. A survey in 1982 of
219 golf courses in the eastern United
States, however, indicated that 26%

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