The Department of Natural Resources says it is likely that lethal means will be necessary to address nuisance Canada goose populations in parts of southeast Michigan this year. Increasing conflicts with landowners and a lack of suitable relocation sites leaves no other alternative.

Adult geese that are removed from the population will likely be processed for human consumption and distributed to charitable organizations through the Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

"The use of these birds by charitable organizations which assist needy people is an excellent way to have a positive outcome from this unfortunate conflict situation," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason.

Michigan's estimated spring population of resident Canada geese has increased from 9,000 in 1970 to 201,000 in 2009. Although the population is within Wildlife Division's desired statewide goal, human-goose conflicts continue to increase, primarily in urban and suburban areas.

"As humans create optimal habitat of manicured lawns along shorelines and geese have adapted to living in these landscapes, conflicts increase," explained DNR waterfowl specialist Barb Avers.

Michigan has had a long and successful human-goose conflict program. The program includes the use of harassment and aversion techniques such as scare devices, landscape alterations, fencing, and harassment with dogs.

"If these techniques are not successful, Michigan has permitted the round-up and transfer of geese to new locations," Avers said. "In certain urban areas, especially in southeast Michigan, permits have also been issued for the destruction of goose nests and eggs in an effort to control goose numbers."

The number of sites participating in the Canada Goose Roundup Program has increased significantly in recent years. In past years, the DNR has been able to relocate some geese to other states as well as to various in-state sites, based on criteria such as suitable water and food resources, legal hunting opportunities, limited proximity to agricultural crops, and limited likelihood of causing additional human-goose conflicts. However, in-state release sites are limited and no other states have requested Michigan's geese this year.

"For these reasons, it is likely that some adult geese captured from some southeast Michigan sites will be killed in 2009," Avers said. "Only sites that currently participate in both Canada goose nest/egg destruction and roundup/transfer activities will be slated for the lethal removal of geese. These are sites where people have attempted several control activities and are still having conflicts."

The DNR encourages landowners to increase their tolerance of Canada geese to reduce human-goose conflicts in situations where there are no human safety or health threats.

Canada Goose Program FAQ's