Using lethal means to eliminate problem geese in Connecticut | Canada goose

Connecticut > Animal is damaging my lawn > Canada goose

Regulated hunting

Regulated hunting is an extremely effective method for reducing goose numbers and keeping remaining birds from using an area. Hunting has resulted in a decline in goose numbers and problems in those areas where hunters have access to the birds. In rural areas, there has been a significant impact on resident (non-migratory) geese. In urban settings, however, the utility of hunting is limited, thus other means of reducing adult survival are necessary. Many golf courses allow hunting and, where feasible, hunting should be considered.

Federal Depredation Permits

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits allowing for the lethal removal of Canada geese (typically 1-2 per day), in conjunction with active non-lethal methods, to qualified applicants. This effort functions to serve serves as a negative reinforcement to ongoing hazing activities.

Lethal Elimination of Canada Geese in Agricultural Areas

Agricultural damage management permits

In order to prevent current and future agriculture depredation from occurring, Connecticut has implemented a management program that allows persons actively involved in commercial agriculture to conduct lethal resident (non-migratory) Canada goose damage management actions. These management actions include the destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs and the lethal removal of resident Canada geese. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has developed a permitting system to administer this resident Canada goose management program. Upon receipt and review of a completed permit application and signatory page, permits will be issued to affected agriculture producers.

Canada Goose Agricultural Damage Control information from DEEP

Connecticut - Lethal Management of Canada Geese

Goose roundups

In an effort to provide more tools for alleviating resident (non-migratory) Canada goose problems in urban areas, the Connecticut State Legislature passed Public Act 03-192. This act allows for municipalities, private homeowner associations, and certain non-profit organizations to conduct lethal goose roundups. These operations, conducted during the flightless molting period, can immediately relieve an area of nuisance geese. Geese are herded into portable nets, euthanized, and the meat donated to soup kitchens and the needy. In order to pursue this option, a management plan will need to be prepared. Interested parties should contact the CT DEEP Migratory Bird Game Program biologists for more information:

Min Huang — (860) 418-5959, min.huang@ct.gov
Kelly Kubik — (860) 418-5960, kelly.kubik@ct.gov

State specific solution - Connecticut - Using lethal means to eliminate problem geese

See Connecticut's Migratory Bird Hunting Guide for more information about regul…

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.
Federal depredation permit For needs outside of the regulated hunting season and any other state-specific goose control programs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues goose depredation permits to qualifying individuals and municipalities. These permits allow for the removal of geese, typically 1-2 per day, but must be done in conjunction with active non-lethal methods. Please see Federal Migratory Bird Depredation Permit for information and the permit form.

Regulations for Connecticut

Canada goose regulated hunting – permit required In Connecticut, there is a legal hunting season for this species. Shooting may only be done by a licensed hunter or the landowner of the property, and hunters must follow all laws and regulations regarding allowable firearms and ammunition. Check the Migratory Bird Hunting Guide for information on season dates and required permits.
Agricultural producers - Canada goose agricultural damage control permit For farmers meeting certain eligibility requirements, CT DEEP has developed an agricultural depredation program. This program allows persons actively involved in commercial agriculture to conduct lethal control of resident Canada geese outside of regulated hunting seasons. These actions include the destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs (March 1 – August 31) and the take of adult geese (April 1 – August 31). You must be actively involved in commercial agriculture (actual or potential gross annual income of $2,500.00 or more from the commercially cultivated production of livestock and poultry, grain, forage, fruit, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants or Christmas trees). See Canada goose Agricultural Damage Program for more information.

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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