How to deal with aggressive geese in Maryland | Canada goose

Maryland > Animal is behaving aggressively > Canada goose

How to deal with aggressive geese

Prohibit Feeding

Feeding not only attracts birds to an area, but keeps them there. Feeding conditions the birds to lose their fear of humans. Simply discontinuing feeding can go a long way in ending goose habituation to an area.

Nesting Geese

Geese can be particularly aggressive during the nesting season in the spring and after their goslings hatch. You can use wire (2 x 4 inch) mesh, plastic, or nylon netting to block aggressive birds that are nesting near buildings, walkways, or public use areas. This method works best during summer molt when geese cannot fly. 

Confrontations

If a goose becomes aggressive, stare the animal down, back away slowly, and keep watching the goose. As you back away, do not act hostile or aggressive but remain neutral in your behavior. Do not hit, kick, or swing at the goose. This will only agitate it more, and may even encourage its mate or other geese to attack. If the goose flies towards your face, duck or move away at a 90-degree angle to the direction of the flight while still facing the goose.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

Federal regulations

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to federal regulations.

Migratory birds may seek respite within trees or on buildings considered private property. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 prohibits the removal of all listed species or their parts (feathers, eggs, nests, etc.) from such property.
While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

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