Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) FAQ
What is the difference between Resident and Migratory Geese?
The difference between resident geese and migratory wild geese is that resident geese have chosen to live here year-round. The migratory geese pass through during the fall and spring.
Why are there so many Canada Geese now?
• Wild Canada geese were almost eradicated by hunting, egg gathering and the draining of wetlands in the early 1900s. The government stepped in and Federally protected them. They were also raised in captivity by a Waterfowl Research Supervisor named Forrest B. Lee and spread throughout the U.S. to increase their population in the early 1960's. In January 1962, Forrest had been studying a flock of large Canada geese on Silver Lake at Rochester, Minn., and invited waterfowl experts in for trapping and further examination. The Silver Lake flock turned out to be Branta Canadensis Maxima, a species long thought to be extinct. As it turned out, the species was not extinct and additional remnant populations would also surface later.
In 1964, the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center was built near Jamestown. Its first director, Harvey K. Nelson, talked Forrest into leaving Minnesota and in 1965, the family moved to Jamestown. Forrest would head the center’s Canada goose production and restoration program. Forrest soon had 64 pens with 64 breeding pairs of screened, high-quality birds. The project involved private, state and federal resources and relied on the expertise and cooperation of many individuals. By the end of 1981, more than 6,000 giant Canada geese had been released at 83 sites in 26 counties in North Dakota.
Source:Bismark Tribune
• The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 gives wild Canada geese federal protection. The Geese and their eggs or nests cannot be harmed or destroyed without federal and state permits (fines can be as high as $15,000). RMGC holds the proper permits to conduct Nest and Egg Depredations. However, you can legally harass them into leaving.
What's the deal with Goose Poop?
•Canada geese droppings can carry Salmonella spp., E. coli, and Listeria spp. High levels cause lakes and ponds to close to swimmers.
•One goose produces 1-2 pounds of droppings a day.
Canada geese overgraze lawns, eat crops and trample turf.
When are Canada Geese most aggressive?
•Resident geese are not intimidated by humans and can be aggressive, especially during nesting season in the spring. An angry adult goose can easily injure a child or senior citizen.
Canada Geese Habits F.A.Q.
When does nesting season start for Wild Canada Geese?
Nesting occurs in Spring with 6 egg average clutch and up to 12 eggs . Wild Geese have a 26-28 day incubation period starting after all eggs are laid so that goslings are born the same day.
Only females incubate the eggs, males guard the nest and can be quite nasty in their protection. Nests are built very close to water for food and safety. Nesting occurs at or very near the same site each year. Creating non-desirous nesting sites is key to reducing goose populations.
What does it mean when Canada Geese Molt?
Molting: Is a complete replacement of adult flight feathers during Summer, coinciding with later stages of gosling development.
Molting lasts about 12 weeks and during this period the geese are flightless and more vulnerable to predators. Dog hazing during nesting and molting needs to be performed with increased care to ensure flightless adult geese and pre-flight goslings are not harmed.
