Get Free Geese When You Buy a House on Lake Lanier

There are two secrets you learn after you close on your lakeside dream home. One is: you get free geese when you buy a house on Lake Lanier.

The other secret? Every home on the lake comes with a neighbor whose sole purpose is to fire up a leaf blower before dawn every weekend. Sorry, there’s not much you can do to put an end to either annoyance.

Our pals with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division can’t do anything about your neighbors, but they have some suggestions on curbing the Canada goose issue.

The Canada goose is an adaptable bird found everywhere from open farmland and rural reservoirs to suburban neighborhood ponds, office complexes, parks and other developed areas. This ability to thrive in a variety of habitats, can sometimes bring an increase in nuisance complaints, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division

State Waterfowl Biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division Greg Balkcom says, “Geese that have adapted to people, either because they are being fed or because they are so close to humans on a daily basis, can become aggressive.” Ummm. We already know that, bro.

“When you have resident geese nesting near developed areas like office complexes or apartment buildings, the geese will defend their nest against all intruders, and that may include chasing or charging at people.” Yup, we’ve learned that lesson too, Greg.

In addition to tips gleaned from Caddyshack, here are some ideas from the folks at Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, who get paid to help us with such things.

Don’t Get Goosed on Your Own Property

• Now is the best time to act because geese are just beginning to select their nesting sites.  Scaring the geese away now will reduce problems in the future.
• No, geese aren’t afraid of you, but we have to write something.
• Landowners who don’t want geese on their property should first try a variety of harassment techniques, including: chemical repellents, mylar balloons, wire/string barriers, and noise makers.  These methods are proven to help reduce goose problems. 
• However, they do require consistency from the property owner and are not always 100% effective. 
• Moving to a desert is always an option.

Reduce Goose Reproduction

• At 11 o’clock each evening, ask yourself if you know where your geese are and what they’re doing.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows for reducing goose reproduction through nest and egg destruction OR egg addling or oiling, which prevent the eggs from hatching. 
• Permits are available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website, in addition to information on addling or oiling the eggs or destroying the nests, and when each method may be appropriate.
• No, they can’t help you talk your husband into this egg addling and/or oiling. Maybe ask Mr. Leaf Blower when he stops to refuel?

Finally, it is important to remember “that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Canada geese except according to Georgia’s migratory bird regulations or other federal permits.”

There might not be a law against herding geese onto your neighbors’ property. Just choose someone who never walks barefoot and who doesn’t own a leaf blower. And never let geese know where you live.