Geese in Maryland

Resident Canada Goose Depredation Assistance

Nest and Egg Depredation Order

If you are a landowner, public land manager, or local government in the lower 48 states or the District of Columbia, you may register at the Resident Canada Goose Nest and Egg Registration Site this site for federal authorization to destroy resident Canada goose nests and eggs on property under your jurisdiction.   

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.

Canada Goose Egg Oiling Video on UTube,
courtesy of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services

Canada Goose Egg Oiling Brochure

Go to: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/wildlife_damage/index.shtml
then click on Management of Canada Goose Nesting.

For all waterfowl depredation, public safety, and nuisance problems in Maryland, contact:

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
Phone: (410) 349-8055
Toll-Free Number: 1-877-463-6497

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.

When Resident Geese Become a Problem

Snow Geese

The Arctic Goose Joint Venture Snow Goose Cookbook

Maryland and Delaware Offer Snow Goose Hunting Reciprocity

Successful Hunting Tactics for Greater Snow Geese
September 2009 - Atlantic Flyway Council
(Acrobat PDF Files - Open with Acrobat)