Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management Allowing geese to nest?

I have battled geese from nesting on my 4 yo 1 acre pond every year with good results. This year we are on vacation and I’m sure when I return I’ll have an active nest in progress. If I let this nest survive for the adults raise their young on this pond for my grandchildren to witness, will it be catastrophic for my water quality? I understand the negatives from waste on docks and surrounding areas but water quality is my concern. I’m sure there are multiple pond owners that have experienced this. What was the results? Thank you!

H_59, do what you think is best, but just so you know, Canadian goose nests are federally protected.

Migratory Birds

Canada geese are beautiful, and they don't eat fish. But they poo everywhere, eat pellets meant for fish, and can be very aggressive toward children.

There are Goose B Gone devices, like special lights that disturb their sleep, but I've never tried them at my place. We went from 2 to 24 during the Big Chill, as almost all other local ponds were frozen, but I hope the excess have left now that it's warmed up.

I let a pair nest on my island, then I came home to a party that they were throwing and they invited about 40 relatives. The following year I had an explosion of Eurasian Water Milfoil in the pond. From then on I had to battle it, even when using Sonar A.S. every other year.

I have since learned that a SINGLE goose can pool enough fertilizer in the pond EVERY DAY to grow 115# of algae......

I have a permanent NO VACANCY sign out now on the island.

I've had a pair the last few days that I had to make feel unwelcome. I don't know if it is the same pair that has tried the last 2 years or not but I have no plans to ever let them settle in. I've seen what they can do in just a few days, you have to watch your every step. I'd hate to see how bad it would be if I let them stay.

I'm thinking of felling a tree to span the 20 foot gap between mainland and island, which is where the geese lay eggs. Raccoons dearly love goose eggs.

One of our raccoons runs a ferry service.

You're going to want to make them leave before they lay eggs.
This might be a good time to take up remote control boat racing as a hobby ; )

They don't like laser pointers either.

I will have to try a laser pointer. I know they don't like my full auto bb gun.

Wonder if that works on cormorants...

Yep

Never let a sleeping goose stay ! Be careful about what you post on methods and purposes.

Am I to assume that a goose is a goose...So no domestic type geese... correct?
Reason being, my neighbor has 6 AFLAC type geese that live on his pond...

Good question - I would let him keep the AFLACs but would not want them visiting.

They are a lot of fun to listen to and see...but...to re-phrase WC Fields..
"Geese are nice to look at, but I don't want to own one...."



“Women are like elephants to me. I like to look at 'em, but I wouldn't want to own one.”

― W.C. Fields, Drat! Being the Encapsulated View of Life by W. C. Fields in His Own Words

A neighbor had two of the AFLAC white ducks (Pekin Duck) on his 1/2 acre pond. He kept complaining about how it was muddy all the time, and how the bank was eroding.

I watched the ducks one day, they kept going all along the shoreline digging in the dirt above the water line for roots of grasses and other things.

One night both ducks were killed by something. Within a few weeks his muddy pond was clear.

I never thought that just 2 ducks would do that, but it looks like they did.

Many of the ponds I fish host wild mallards and Canada geese. Some overwinter while others nest. I've noticed the mallards muddy the shallow areas considerably. There are a lot of submerged weeds in them which may help to keep the central portions clearer. I would think that any duck that tips to eat and will disturb sediments might contribute to muddiness.

I let them stay once and never again. They make a worse mess than dogs are very aggressive especially after the eggs hatch.
Some people will probably rip me for this but I have had great success with my kids airsoft guns. I don't hurt them and even accidentally hitting one with a plastic pellet doesn't phase them at all. The noise from the toy gets them out in seconds never to return. I love animals so please folks don't be hating me.