Laserfiche WebLink
Living with geese: Minnesota DNR <br />mortality, a pond or lalce with 3 pairs of adult geese can multiply to <br />nearly 50 birds within 5 years and to over 300 in,just 10 years. Being <br />social birds geese congregate in "flocics," except during the nesting <br />season. Most birds in these flocics are related and return to t�.e same <br />nesting and feeding areas every year. Currently, about 25,000 geese <br />spend the summer in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Without <br />huntin� seasons and efforts to tra� and remove geese, the goose <br />�,�ul��ia�R would lilcely number �00,�0� or more. Wi�k�pu� these <br />constraints on the vovulation. the habitat in the seven-countv metro <br />area could support an estimated 250,000 geese. <br />Population management <br />The main drawbacic of avoidance methods is that they merely cause <br />geese to move to another property. Increasing goose populations will <br />eventually create a larger "demand for habitat. This demand, often <br />called "pressure," causes geese to become increasingly resistant to <br />avoidance techniques. <br />Hunting is the most effective way to control goose populations. <br />Specia� hunting seasons that target local geese have been established <br />by the DNR. Early seasons are Izmited to fieId or upland hunting to <br />vrevent conflicts with other recreational uses of lalces. However. at the <br />request of local government, individual lalces and wetlands may be <br />opened. <br />Controlled hunting can be successful in populated areas. Local <br />governments are encouraged to lceep goose hunting open where <br />possible. Citizens concerned with growing goose populations are <br />encouraged to support local government efforts to limit restrictions on <br />hunting where possible. The DNR will provide technical assistance in <br />starting and managing hunts. For more information, contact your local <br />D�IR. Ar�a..Wil�li�'e._Qf�ce. <br />Bacic to to� <br />� 2006 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. CQ,�,�Y��1�t <br />}���r���. <br />Web site policies: ...A...ccessibilily, Linking, ...P..��ivacy_ <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />L����tiv�ti�w.dnr.�.tt�_us+�ivtn�wir�i_v��iL�l��+�ee�elin�ex.�s�m� �1��� <br />