Your Wildlife Habitat

The sight of a flock of Canada geese returning in the spring is usually a welcome sign of winter’s end. If you’re a farmer, however, these birds can cause a real problem if they make a stop in your field during their migrations. They can do a significant amount of damage to crops. A goose can tear out a lot of young seedlings after the spring planting. Geese defecate about 1.5 lbs. per day. It doesn’t take much imagination to picture the mess they can make on beaches and parks. To learn ways to deter geese, follow the links below.

It is illegal to disturb, damage or destroy the nest or eggs of Canada geese. Special permits may be obtained from the Canadian Wildlife Service to use acceptable deterrent techniques. To request a permit, contact the Permits Office at (905) 336-4464.

Living With Canada Geese is a fact sheet published by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry that explains how to prevent conflicts with Canada geese and how to deal with conflicts when they arise.

Canada Geese and Farms, is a fact sheet published by Environment Canada and found on the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association website. It provides very helpful advice for farmers having problems with geese. The Canadian Wildlife Service also has a fact sheet with frequently asked questions about Canada Geese.