Canada Goose Management Practices Jake Nave USDA - Wildlife Services Okemos
Key Points MDNR attempts to balance Canada goose benefits and conflicts by managing statewide abundance Statewide abundance is managed via hunting to maintain population within a goal range Hunting does not eliminate all site-specific conflicts Several lethal and non-lethal techniques are permitted (depending on location) to help resolve site-specific conflicts MDNR management strategies must conform to federal laws (e.g., Migratory Bird Treaty Act) and permits 2010 changes in Canada Goose management procedures
Michigan Geese Diversity in Branta canadensis (formerly included 11 subspecies and 20 mgmt. populations) Currently 2 species recognized: Canada geese (B. canadensis) Cackling geese (B. hutchinsii)
Goose Biology Females 9-12# Males 12-16# Breed at 2-3 years Return to breed where they were fledged high fidelity to partner Long lived -- some 20 years Productive and adaptive in & to urban areas Herbivores--mowed/fertilized lawns near water are an invitation to dinner Flightless molt period Migration variable, but a molt migration is well established
Establish Territory, Feral Swine in Michigan Where did they come from? Nest Identification Incubation = 28 days Clutch initiation March 15- April 7 Ave. 6 eggs in 9 days Behaviors vary in defense of territory
Molt Migration Non-traditional migration Includes non-breeders (sub-adults) and failed nesters Can induce birds to migrate by destroying nests during incubation
Canada Goose Flyways Mississippi Valley Population Southern James Bay Population Temperate-nesting populations
History of Giant Canada Goose in Michigan Thought extinct by 1918 (remnant pop. in MN & ND) U.S. 1946 pop. Est. 50,000 Reintroduced to Michigan 1972 (1928-1964 =2,488) Michigan population goal 175,000-225,000 325,000 peaked in Michigan 2000 (83% in S. MI) 201,000 in Michigan 2009 Management strategy uses hunting to control statewide abundance, use other techniques for site/conflict control All Canada geese protected under State and Federal Statutes Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
Population estimate Michigan Canada Goose Population Estimates, 1991-2016 450000.00 400000.00 350000.00 300000.00 250000.00 200000.00 150000.00 100000.00 50000.00 Population estimates Upper goal limit Lower goal limit 0.00 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 Year
Since 2011
Benefits Aesthetics/viewing Hunting (economic value=$185 million annually in Mississippi Flyway) Subsistence food value Ecological the primary avian herbivore of wetlands Species diversity
Negatives Agricultural & horticultural Safety - airports & aggressive geese Issues Droppings on lawns, beaches, docks, etc. Grazing lawns, gardens Noise Water Contamination Problematic geese are a result of distribution & timing issues, not population issues
Non Lethal Techniques Increase Tolerance No Feeding Ordinances Exclusion Habitat Modification Harassment
Harassment Techniques Coyote/Owl Decoys (move frequently) Motion Activated Sprinklers Noise Flashers NOTHING THAT WILL HARM THE BIRDS
Barriers/Habitat Modification Rope Fishing Line Fencing Barriers Above water grid systems
Statewide Management Options Preferred Option Hunting Limited in Urban Areas Non-Lethal Egg & Nest Destruction Round-Up & Translocation
Egg/Nest Applications Mailed to sites ~ February of each year (edited) DO NOT fill out old applications Applications must be filled out entirely, INCLUDING T/R/S (township, range section) If applicant info is different than site, both must be completed Keep site name the same
Egg Nest Permits Single Family Residence Commercial/Business Lake Association requires petition or resolution All are free permits
Permitting Regulations for Egg Nest Destruction Must attend mandatory training (2010-present) Must be deemed eligible Must have tried non-lethal forms of harassment Applications due March 31st
Petition or Resolution Both can be valid up to 5 years, must state how long it is valid Petition must represent >70% of the lake front homeowners, forms available online Resolution must be signed and dated by an elected official All lake front home owners are required to be notified Must acknowledge birds may be killed
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Number of Geese or Eggs Walnut Lake (Oakland County) Goose Round-Up and Egg Removals 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 Number of Geese Egg Removals 20 10 0 Year
Number of Geese or Eggs 120 Echo Lake (Oakland County) Goose Round-Up and Egg Removals 100 80 60 40 Goose Round-Up Egg Removals 20 0 Year
Reminders Permit does not allow anyone to trespass or access property not listed on permit. Even if you site has a permit, each landowner must give permission to access their piece of land
Round Up Translocation Same 3 Types of Permits Permit Fees are $100-$200 (Non-refundable) Lake Associations still need petition/resolution Generally contractors are used (transport license) If eligible for nest destruction you must participate before any Round-Up App Due May 21st (postmark)
Round -Up Birds relocated within the state Since 2011 every bird has been relocated Flight feathers will come back Applications are not mailed, must request one
Mute Swans Non-native to North America Highly Aggressive Outcompete Native Waterfowl Disrupt Ecosystem Consume/destroy large quantities of aquatic vegetation Fecal matter contributes towards water contamination (E.coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardiasis, Salmonella)
Mute Swan Management MDNR contracts USDA WS to conduct management Permit issued to applicant by MDNR Egg/Nest Program Lethal removal Encourages reintroduction of native Trumpeter and Tundra Swans
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