DNR offers tips to keep geese out of your yard

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June 21, 2017

Perhaps one of the most recognizable birds in Michigan is the large, regal-looking Canada goose. Once a rare sight in Michigan, Canada's geese now are very plentiful in the state – so plentiful that some people tend to think of them as pests.

The subspecies of goose that is most plentiful in Michigan is the giant Canada goose. Because they are so abundant, many would never suspect that the giant Canada goose subspecies nearly was extinct in the 1950s because of unregulated overhunting and wetland habitat loss. 

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In recent years, the giant Canada goose has experienced population explosions in areas throughout North America due, in part, to the success of wildlife management programs and the adaptability of these birds. In Michigan today, the number of giant Canada geese counted each spring is well over 300,000. They nest in every Michigan county, but are most common in the southern third of the state, where 78 percent of the goose population is found.

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Geese are herbivores and prefer grass shoots, aquatic vegetation, seed heads and various grains. Adult Canada geese have very few predators.

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These simple tips can help keep geese away from your yard:  

• Make your yard less attractive to geese by allowing the grass to grow long and refrain from fertilizing or watering it.
   

• Use scare tactics like bird-scare balloons, loud noises and mylar tape to make unwanted geese leave the area.
   

• Apply repellents to the lawn to deter geese from feeding on the grass. Grape concentrate is useful for yards and turf.  
   

• In June and July, Canada geese are unable to fly because they are molting. Construct a temporary barrier between your yard and the water to keep flightless geese out.
   

• Do not feed Canada geese. Artificial feeding can habituate them as well as harm their digestive system. Bread products are not beneficial to waterfowl survival.
   

• Be aware of your surroundings when visiting parks and areas near water. Canada geese are protective of their nests and hatchlings. Do not disturb them or get too close.

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Goose hunting in Michigan helps to keep goose populations in check. Michigan regularly ranks in the top three states in the nation for Canada goose hunters and harvest. The plentiful geese provide excellent opportunities for goose hunters. To learn more about goose hunting, visit michigan.gov/waterfowl.