New Plans for Managing Excess Resident Canada Goose Population

With a resident Canada goose population in the lower 48 states expected to reach over five million in the next ten years if left unchecked, the federal government may give states more leeway to help manage the growing gaggles of ganders, geese, and goslings.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that includes a proposed alternative allowing state wildlife agencies to undertake approved population control strategies without a federal permit. Strategies would include nest and egg destruction, trapping and culling, and expanded hunting seasons. The USFWS would still maintain primary authority over resident geese, and states will have to follow established guidelines in order to implement the provisions of the proposed alternative.

"The service believes that the problems caused by resident Canada geese can be best addressed at the state level," stated USFWS director Steve Williams. "To that end, we are committed to providing state wildlife management agencies with as much flexibility as possible to address the issue."

"Resident" Canada geese are classified as those subspecies of Branta canadensis that nest and live in the lower 48 states between March and August, as opposed to those that migrate to Canada and Alaska each year to nest. All subspecies are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and currently can only be legally taken during a hunting season or by special federal permit (see "Wild and Messy," CW, Winter 2002).

The USFWS conducted a series of public hearings and accepted public comment regarding the EIS. The final EIS is expected this fall, followed by another comment period. The proposed final rule on the EIS is anticipated in spring 2003.

Related efforts are proceeding in Illinois. "Right now we're nearing the end of our own three-year study in conjunction with the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation on the biology and population of resident Canada geese in Illinois," said Roy Domazlicky, the IDNR's urban waterfowl project manager. "When our study is complete, we hope to determine the best available management options to pursue based on the study results and social acceptability. Then we can look at the final version of the Fish and Wildlife EIS and decide which of the provisions, if any, we will utilize."

— Jayne Bohner