Fowled Up: Geese Ruffling Neighbors' Feathers
Three Canada geese waddle off the 10th green of the Pinehurst No. 5 golf course on a recent late afternoon.
- Print print this page
- Discuss 32 comments, Blog about
Advertisement
The blackbird may sing in the dead of night, but the Canada goose honks all day long, much to the chagrin of nearby humans.
“It started out with these darling little chicks,” says Pinehurst resident Marge Behning. “Now they’re all adults, and they’re big. … It’s become a real annoyance.”
Besides honking, Canada geese eat turf and crops, lowering property values. They also leave mounds of, well, mounds in their wake, contaminating the water supply and causing algae blooms.
“They lay down a lot of poop,” says Paul Tillman, an agent of the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. “The birds come pooping all over the ground, and it can cause health issues in animals that feed on the grass.”
For annoyed residents around Lake Pinehurst, however, there are limits as to what can be done with their fowl neighbors.
The Canada goose was once badly threatened by overhunting and habitat destruction. In 1918, Canada and the United States adopted the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, protecting more than 800 species of birds, including the Canada goose. As a result, goose populations increased nearly fourfold, and the species’ survival was assured.
Canada geese began moving farther south, adapting to the new climate.
They congregate around ponds and lakes. If they have goslings in an area and can find a stable source of food, they often settle permanently. Prevented by law from killing the geese, police and residents are unable to deal with this invasive species.
“The issue is they are a protected species,” said Floyd Thomas, Pinehurst deputy police chief. “There’s not anything we can really do much more than go out and watch them until they go away.”
Thomas said because the birds are protected, his office rarely gets a complaint about the birds.
“They seem to be well aware of their federal protection status, and enjoy it,” speculates resident Doug Middaugh. “It’s time to revisit that protection and come up with some means by which their numbers could be controlled.”
While citizens may not kill the geese, they can scare them off with Mylar tape or statues of predators (such as lions or wolves).
Those unskilled in the art of scaring birds can hire a professional to do it. Donald Thomas has made a career of driving geese off resorts and golf courses.
“We use border collies,” he says. “The geese see them as predators, like wolves or coyotes or something. … They’ve tried everything in the nation and nothing’s ever worked except for the collies.”
Many websites instruct citizens to disrupt goose nests, but this, too, is illegal.
“You can contact the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, and they can come in and do egg-rattling or egg-dipping,” says Tillman. “You cannot do this unless you are licensed; it’s a felony for every egg you mess up.”
Most importantly, citizens should not, under any circumstances, feed the geese.
“Once they’re fed, they’ll come back,” says Middaugh. “The [village] council should prohibit the feeding of wild animals, except chickadees and cardinals, of course.”
“We’re concerned that our community’s being degraded,” says Middaugh’s wife, Judy. “That’s why we’re so vocal.”
Drowning out the birds, too, is hard to achieve.
Contact Andrew Soboeiro at andrew@thepilot.com.
More like this story
Advertisement
Comments
FightFireWithFire 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Hey, guess what? The wildlife was here long before your homes or your pretty little golf courses. Don't like it? Move back to the city. Oh, wait...there are pigeons there, you will complain about that, too. Why don't people in this area learn to concentrate on important issues, like the growing drug problems? HMMM??
ncmom 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Seriously? This is worthy of being front page news? Ohh that's right, if it has to do with Pinehurst and some of it's residents getting their feathers ruffled, you better believe it'll be news! I think there are far more important issues to focus on. Don't worry they will be on their way back home soon enough. And I'm sure by then they'll be another meaningless issue to gripe about. Leave nature alone and focus on something else.
glpage 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I don’t know where Mr. Soboeiro got his information about Canada goose being a protected species. The NC Wild Life Commission set the bag limits on the Canada goose for the 2011-2012 seasons at 5 per day. So these geese could be harvested, with the exception possible being a restriction by the town.
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
The goose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOpbJK.... Now that's a dinner. Cheers!
theonewithsense 9 months, 3 weeks ago
geese are tasty, eat them.
NewspaperReader 9 months, 3 weeks ago
FightFireWithFire - Geese are attracted to golf courses because of the large areas of green grass for them to eat, complete with ponds for them to swim in. In other words, they weren't "there first."
skylinefirepest 9 months, 3 weeks ago
These geese are some of the filthiest critters on the face of the earth. But there is a cure for them if you live in the country...where the sound of the occasional gunshot is considered normal!
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
This who was "there first" (people or geese) has me steamed. The same thing happened with me and bears at my favorite fishin' hole, and I'm just thankful my wife filmed my bravery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPZNjt.... Cheers!
booty2tee 9 months, 3 weeks ago
If they are a "“ protected species" then hen how the heck did the people ( if you wanna call them that ) at Carolina Trace get away with GASSING all those birds a few years ago? The best solution to keeping the population in check , BREAK UP THE EGGS in the NESTS before the chicks hatch as the NC Wildlife Com. will do !
Deal with the grown ones for now but keep breaking up their nests, eventually they will move on.
mcg2010 9 months, 3 weeks ago
There are peaceful ways to get the fowls to flee. http://www.awaywithgeese.com/awg2_web.nsf?Open
The lights are fairly unobtrusive to humans, but the birds are put off by the lights and find some place else to call home. Those have been successful in subdivisions throughout the triangle, although long term results have been spotty.
Though, given it's Pinehurst, I'm sure someone would complain about the lights coming through thei sun porch...at night.
emb6683 9 months, 3 weeks ago
You could make some extra money by selling the livers to restaurants in California.
buskwon 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Goose hunting is perfectly legal in NC , the season starts in September and has a daily bag limit of 15. So get your guns ready Thanksgiving will be here before you know it.http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/IndexID/8253/Default.aspx
AndrewSoboeiro 9 months, 3 weeks ago
From the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission:
"Like all native waterfowl and other migratory birds, Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and various state and federal laws. In accordance with these laws it is unlawful to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds, except as permitted by regulations adopted on an annual basis by the Secretary of the Interior."
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Hunting/Documents/NUISANCE_CANADA_GOOSE_CONTROL.pdf
Toda 9 months, 3 weeks ago
God's creatures don't deserve to be killed because someone doesn't like them. They have just as much right to live free and fly as those who chose to live here and damage other wildlife habitats as well. Deer have no place to roam in our once rural area. I see herds (8-12) deer in my backyard about once a week.
teufelhunden 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Non issue
unclec 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Go to http://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/gesi.aspx. Apply for a permit to get rid of the geese
buskwon 9 months, 3 weeks ago
AndrewSoboeiro , "Like all native waterfowl and other migratory birds, Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and various state and federal laws. In accordance with these laws it is unlawful to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds, (except as permitted by regulations adopted on an annual basis by the Secretary of the Interior)." In NC the exception is the month of September , It is legal to hunt canada goose. I will be hunting in september killing canada geese leagally.
MikeNC 9 months, 3 weeks ago
This guy may be willing to help out with the problem...
by MikeNC
NewspaperReader 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Golf cart + paintball gun = fleeing geese
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
So I am confused by these posts: can I legally shoot a goose, or not? Cheers!
NewspaperReader 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Thatcher, you must have a proper permit to shoot geese legally, and of course you must not break any local ordinances concerning the discharge of firearms.
getreal 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Well, Thanksgiving is coming, can we harvest them or not? As for the babies, on our course they had 10 little goslings running around. 1 week later, no babies except for a few piles of gray feathers. Thank you hawks and owls. That's nature's way of keeping them in check. They are, I must admit, filthy and stepping around their droppings is not fun! Originally they migrated, now they are here to stay and they don't even pay any property tax! I love wildlife normally, but these birds are an evasive year round species. Not my favorite bird. (Except nicely roasted!)
buskwon 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Thatcher , Yes you can hunt the Canada goose legally in September, I will be hunting the second weekend in September in northern Moore county ,my brother has 240 acres with a 20 acre lake , We do this every year and have lots of friends join us ,If you get your permit you are welcome to come with me. The land is beautiful and I am sure you will have a great time, If there are no Geese the fish are always biting.
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I have a lifetime NC hunting permit, and I'd love to join you guys. Don't get me started about fishing! Cheers!
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
And thanks so much for the invite!
The_AnonymusProfit 9 months, 3 weeks ago
You can kill the birds for a short time. I personally recommend a fully automated M-16 or a grenade launcher for the splatter effect. A double barrel at close range to the head provides a nice effect as well.
MLD206 9 months, 3 weeks ago
For one thing, Paul Tillman is not an "agent" for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and the Pilot needs to stop quoting him on issues that have nothing to do with what he is legally licensed by the NCWRC to do. He is a licensed damage control agent through the NCWRC that has the authority to deal with small mammels and some fur bearing animals causing damage to property, he has no authority over migratory birds, deer, bear, coyotes, fox, or other animals not causing property damage. In regards to the geese, there are set seasons and bag limits that allow for the harvest of geese but there are city oridinances that prohibit the discharge of firearms within the city limits. As for geese causing property damage or nuisance issues, the USDA controls the issuance of permits to allow the depredation of these birds. As of now, the NCWRC can issue permits for geese causing damage to agriculture as well as permits to destroy eggs. Golf courses having damage issues should contact the USDA for options to have these geese removed or have permits issued. As long as there is water, grass, and nesting habitat, there will be a resident goose population n Moore County.
doughnuts 9 months, 3 weeks ago
When golfing, it is always nice to have bread in the cart to feed the various water birds, turtles and fish.
Toda 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Place a call to "Turtle Man"... problem solved!
cantstandya 9 months, 3 weeks ago
You know we are in trouble when a flock of geese can start such a fuss, some may end up on the plate surrounded by carrots and potatoes, but the majority will soon travel on, it's not like they are starting a trailer park and putting up a mailbox.
bettertimes 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Fact - Canadian geese are protected 'somewhat' but there is a hunting season for them. Look it up - N C Wildlife Resource Commission has all the facts.
Courseaire 9 months, 3 weeks ago
No such thing as "Canadian" geese, they are Canada geese and unless they show you proper ID that they are from Canada, then it's OK to shoot them since they are here illegally.
doughnuts 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Whether there is one or a flock of them. There is no such thing as "Canadian geese" or "Canada Geese". The geese are not Canadian. They are always Canada Goose.
cantstandya 9 months, 3 weeks ago
There is no law that protects us from them entering this country, if there were Obama would have it altered and pander for their vote.
AndrewSoboeiro 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I never said there were no exceptions to the protections; I simply said they were protected, and cannot ordinarily be killed.
dustyrhoades 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I'm reminded of my friend Rebecca when she was in veterinary school. Her take on it was "Geese are evil, and they hate us all."
native 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Please call Si Robertson at Duck Dynasty, He will be Happa, Happa, Happa to help you out.
theonewithsense 9 months, 3 weeks ago
If they are in NC in July, then they are lazy NC geese. They live her full time and should be eaten.
MikeNC 9 months, 3 weeks ago
native 1 hour, 55 minutes ago ...Please call Si Robertson at Duck Dynasty, He will be Happa, Happa, Happa to help you out.
by MikeNC
SH59 9 months, 3 weeks ago
If people stopped feeding them and thinking they are so cute they might not stay around.
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Came across this website about how to get rid of geese: http://www.awaywithgeese.com/awg2_web.nsf?Open. Apparently, this thing works because the geese no longer feel safe at night, and because foxes and coyotes will eat them. The circle of life, with the help of modern technology. Cheers!
cantstandya 9 months, 3 weeks ago
@ Thatcher- Went to the site you suggested, have access to some coyotes may be a market for them, going to see if the Obama administration will give me a small business loan to get started.
Bflat 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Looks like interesting technology but very pricey. I can afford the cap right now but if several were to "pool" resources perhaps they could take turns using the device.
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Bflat-- According to the site, each goose eats 4 pounds of grass a day, and poops 3 pounds a day. And that's just here in America...who knows what they do in Canada? Of course, Canada, like many other South American countries, uses the metric ("sundial") system, through which the goose's "output" is measured in meters. Cheers!
Thatcher 9 months, 3 weeks ago
(Just wanted to see if any liberals believed this before realizing it was a joke). Cheers!
Courseaire 9 months, 2 weeks ago
JimRussell44 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Survey says....kill them all and eat them. Perhaps skylinefirepest can organize his well armed militia to eradicate these filthy critters (his words, not mine) and set up a perimeter around Moore County to prevent any others from illegally entering our "no filthy foul" airspace. Thatcher can organize an all-you-can-eat goose extravaganza at his restaurant. When all that is done, we can move on to another problem threatening life as we know it... the evil plot by China to destroy our country. Yes folks, I'm talking about Kudzu.
PS: About 38 hours ago, The_AnonymusProfit posted what I think was one of the most obscene things I've seen written here. I can only say that if you know who this person is, be wary of attending any movies this person attends.