3/20/2007

Canada Goose Depredation Assistance Available to Landowners

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will combine resources to provide North Dakota agricultural producers with the necessary tools to manage chronic crop depredation caused by Canada geese, according to Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief for the state Game and Fish Department.

The program, in place each spring and summer since 2002, provides landowners with equipment and technical assistance to ward off depredating Canada geese. Past efforts have shown Canada goose depredation control is most effective when a combination of techniques are used in concert: hunting seasons (extended Canada goose seasons and liberal bag limits), egg addling (destroying nests) and nonlethal treatment methods (propane cannons, pyrotechnics and electric fencing).

"As with most problems, an integrated approach using a combination of tools has proven to be the best way to deal with Canada goose depredation," Link said. "In most cases, nonlethal methods work quite well. However, the special depredation permit provides an additional last resort prescription that deals with persistent geese in chronic cases."

Landowners experiencing Canada geese crop depredation for the first time need to contact Wildlife Services so their situation can be assessed and properly addressed, Link said. "Wildlife Services personnel will make an on-site visit, provide consultation, and make a written recommendation," he said.

Landowners who were issued and complied with special permits last year will receive a special permit application packet by the end of March. The special depredation permit, which is valid from April through July, allows each eligible landowner to kill up to 30 geese and destroy 15 nests.

North Dakota's authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows for the taking of no more than 6,000 geese and 1,000 nests, including all the eggs.

This is the sixth year the special permits are available to North Dakota landowners. In 2006, 94 landowners used the special permit, taking 1,070 Canada geese (615 adults and 455 goslings) and destroying 101 nests under provisions provided by the permit. Canada geese were taken in 25 counties in eastern and northwestern North Dakota.

Landowners wanting more information about Canada goose depredation assistance can contact the Game and Fish Department at 328-6300.