The Indiana Department of Natural Resources would like to offer Hoosiers some advice on dealing with Canada geese that may have become a nuisance on their property.

According to the DNR, most goose issues occur from March through June, during the birds’ nesting season. This is when geese can become especially aggressive, sometimes attacking and nipping people.

Geese can also cause localized damage if many young are hatched in one area. Goslings are incapable of flight for approximately 70 days after hatching, and young birds and their parents will often graze near the hatching area during that time. Damage to landscaping can be significant, and large amounts of excrement may render areas unfit for human use.

Information and tips for property owners on managing Canada geese is available on the DNR’s website. Solutions range from habitat modification to daily goose harassment with noisemaking devices, to supporting goose hunting or obtaining a DNR trapping permit.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service also allows landowners to destroy resident Canada goose eggs and nests on their property, with proper registration.

More information on registering for federal permission to destroy eggs and nests is available at https://epermits.fws.gov/ercgr/gesi.aspx. It is against federal law to destroy a Canada goose nest that contains one or more eggs without first receiving permission through the Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Indiana DNR says it is best to try preventive measures like habitat modification before geese become a nuisance.

Source: WNDU