Resident Canada Goose Depredation Assistance Available To Landowners

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ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services are coordinating to offer Maryland farmers with the necessary tools to manage chronic crop depredation caused by Resident Canada geese.
“Maryland recently modified its regulations to help improve Resident Canada goose population control efforts to make it more effective and user friendly for landowners and managers,” said DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto. “We hope these programs will make it easier for Marylanders to resolved resident Canada goose conflicts.”

Past efforts have shown Canada goose depredation control is most effective when a combination of techniques are used in concert: hunting seasons (special early and regular Resident Canada goose seasons and liberal bag limits); nest and egg destruction; non-lethal treatment methods (hazing with propane cannons, pyrotechnics, etc.); and lethal alternatives.

"As with most wildlife problems, an integrated approach using a combination of tools has proven to be the best way to deal with Resident Canada goose depredation," added Peditto. "In most cases, non-lethal methods work quite well. However, the special depredation orders provide an additional prescription that deals with persistent geese in chronic cases."

Nest and Egg Depredation Order

Private landowners and public land managers may now destroy Resident Canada goose nests and eggs on property under their jurisdiction between March 1 and June 30 if necessary to resolve or prevent injury to people, property, agricultural crops, or other interests. Before any goose nests or eggs may be destroyed, landowners must go on-line at https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx to register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Landowners must register employees or agents that may act on their behalf. Registration is valid for one nesting season and must be renewed each year before nests and eggs may be destroyed. There is no fee for registration. No State permit is required to destroy nests or eggs in Maryland.

Agricultural Depredation Order

Agricultural producers including landowners, operators, and tenants actively engaged in commercial agriculture may take Resident Canada geese from lands that they personally control and where geese are damaging agricultural crops. While state authorization is required to conduct this control, a federal permit is not required. Goose nests and eggs may only be destroyed between March 1 and June 30, and geese may only be taken between May 1 and August 31. All management actions must occur on the premises of the depredation area. Geese may not be taken in a hunting manner, e.g., decoys and calls may not be used. For agricultural producers to obtain a free State permit, they may apply in person or by telephone to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, 1568 Whitehall Road, Annapolis, MD 21409, Tel. 1-877-463-6497.

For additional information about Resident Canada geese and other Maryland waterfowl visit the DNR web site at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/waterfowl.asp.

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April 15, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov