Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation Rescue Animals

Canada Geese were declining in numbers many years ago, but with the spread of suburban ponds and lakes increasing their habitat, they are increasing in numbers. They do not have natural predators in the suburban environment. In many communities they have become a nuisance, creating messes, harassing small pets and driving away other small creatures and birds and even threatening humans.

They are deadly around airports - Canada Geese are one of the most dangerous birds that are commonly ingested into engines, break windshields, and/or damage wings, tails and radomes. Hundreds of of thousands of dollars are spent repairing "bird strike" damage and by airports using various methods to scare them away. There have been a number of fatal accidents due to aircraft hitting Canada Geese.

Feeding Canada Geese doesn't domesticate them, but it does encourage them to forego migration. Canada Geese originated in Canada and migrated to the southern US and points south every winter. Populations from Toronto and Ottawa to New Orleans have multiplied exponentially due to well intentioned but misguided individuals. Canada Geese will eat things not good for them, such as human snacks including buttery popcorn and candy. People should not feed Canada Geese ANYTHING around their lakes and ponds because it creates the very circumstances discussed above.

The USFWS recently issued a new regulation regarding Canada Geese - 50 CFR Parts 20 and 21: Migratory Bird Hunting and Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada Goose Populations

SUMMARY: In recent years, the numbers of Canada geese that nest and/or reside predominantly within the conterminous United States (resident Canada geese) have undergone dramatic growth to levels that are increasingly coming into conflict with people and human activities and causing personal and public property damage, as well as public health concerns, in many parts of the country. In February 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or "we'') completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on resident Canada goose management. In August 2003, we published a proposed rule to establish regulations to implement the DEIS proposed action, Alternative F. In November 2005, the notice of availability for a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was published, followed by a 30-day public review period. This final rule sets forth regulations for implementing the FEIS preferred alternative, Alternative F, which would authorize State wildlife agencies, private landowners, and airports to conduct (or allow) indirect and/or direct population control management activities, including the take of birds, on resident Canada goose populations. This final rule will go into effect on September 11, 2006.

There are very strict limits and controls for the taking of Canada Geese. Read the full text of 50 CFR 20 and 21 to fully understand the law.