(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/13/2024) Canadian Geese in the flying V indicate the changing of the seasons. But when the geese are around, they can become too much for some cities and townships to handle, which is spurring a possible change in the rules to make the birds easier to remove.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterfowl and Wetland Specialist Barbara Avers said the birds thrive in urban and suburban settings, with manicured grass, multiple water sources and few natural predators, since hunting is often not allowed.

“That does cause conflicts with people,” Avers said.

She said geese and their droppings can carry diseases, the feathers are messy during the molting season, and they can be aggressive during breeding and nesting periods.

Michigan currently has "the most liberal” Canadian goose hunting season allowed by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which has the birds federally protected. But under the Canadian Goose Management program there was room to address the nuisance issue for both cities and townships.

Cities and townships are able to get permits through the DNR to round up the geese, relocate them to another area and destroy their nests.

“We have relied very heavily in the past on relocation of Canadian geese,” Avers said.

She said, however, that the state game areas where the birds are typically relocated are becoming overburdened. Relocation also comes with the hazard of further spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza to poultry producers and dairy farmers.

Avers said they are looking for changes to the policy that would have the Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services be the organization that would conduct the large roundups of geese and the places with problems would need to contact them directly.

They are looking for a pilot program to start in 2025 to assess what the funding needs and logistics that would be needed.

She said they would also like to assess the needs of the townships and cities.

A spokesperson from the Michigan Municipal League and a spokesperson from the Michigan Township Association said the issue of nuisance geese hasn’t been brought up by members.

Michigan Municipal League spokesperson John LaMacchia said they were aware of the rules change and had not decided on a position.

Avers said condominium and lake associations were putting up many of the removal requests, with the occasional golf course and city or township.

“They will apply for a permit from the department, and if they’re eligible, receive that permit, and they would contract with Wildlife Services,” she said.

She said the problem isn’t with the geese themselves, but the distribution of the geese, because they are disproportionately flocking to the urban and suburban areas.

The DNR asked the Natural Resource Commission to include a permit for destruction of nests and eggs across the state, which they had already been allowing but would formalize the process.

Avers said the goose population in Michigan is increasing, although at one time the birds were thought to be extinct.

Other changes would allow for animal control operations to apply for permits that would allow for a limited round-up and the ability to euthanize a particularly aggressive bird.

“It’s nesting in the flowerpot right outside the business and attacks anyone coming or going,” Avers said. 

The Wildlife Conservation Order would also be amended to remove the $300 permit fee for large group roundups, which would be handled by Wildlife Services. It would also lower the permit fee to $100 for animal control to euthanize aggressive geese or apply for the destruction of nests or eggs.