Canada Geese

Canada Geese Management on Long Island: Nassau and Suffolk County Pond and Property Solutions

April 18, 2025·12 min read

Canada geese have become one of the most persistent and legally complex nuisance wildlife problems on Long Island. Nassau and Suffolk County communities — from homeowners associations with ornamental ponds to golf courses, corporate campuses, and public parks — face the same challenge: a federally protected species that has thoroughly adapted to suburban life and shows no inclination to leave on its own. Managing Long Island's resident Canada goose population requires navigating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, NYSDEC permit requirements, and a combination of proven hazing and habitat modification techniques.

The Long Island Resident Goose Problem

There is an important distinction between migratory and resident Canada geese. Migratory geese pass through Long Island in spring and fall, staying briefly before continuing their journey. Resident Canada geese — the birds responsible for the goose problems in Nassau and Suffolk County — are year-round. They were born on Long Island, are entirely habituated to human presence, and have no migratory instinct to drive them elsewhere.

Resident goose populations on Long Island exploded following the federal protections of the MBTA and the gradual disappearance of hunting pressure in suburban areas. A breeding pair of Canada geese in a Nassau County HOA pond will raise five to eight goslings annually. Those goslings return to breed in the same area the following year. Within a decade, a single pair can be the ancestor of dozens of resident geese on a single property.

Each adult Canada goose produces approximately two to four pounds of droppings per day. A flock of twenty geese on a quarter-acre Nassau County lawn or HOA common area deposits 40 to 80 pounds of droppings daily during peak congregation periods. Goose droppings contaminate stormwater ponds, create bacteria counts that can close swimming areas, and render lawns unusable. The aggression of nesting females in spring is an additional liability for property managers.

The Legal Framework: MBTA and NYSDEC Permits

Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The MBTA prohibits the take, possession, import, export, transport, selling, purchasing, barter, or offer for sale of migratory birds — including Canada geese — their nests, and their eggs, without federal authorization.

This means that Long Island property owners who:

• Destroy or disturb Canada goose nests or eggs without a federal depredation permit are committing a federal offense, subject to fines up to $15,000 per violation.
• Attempt to trap and relocate Canada geese without authorization are violating federal law.
• Kill Canada geese without both federal USFWS and NYSDEC permits are subject to federal prosecution.

Permitted activities for Long Island property owners and managers include:

• Egg addling: Under a USFWS Resident Canada Goose Nest and Egg Depredation Order, property owners or their licensed agents may addle (oil or puncture) eggs in active nests to prevent hatching. This does not require an individual permit — it operates under a general depredation order — but does require registration with USFWS. Addling must be done while the female is away from the nest, and the addled eggs must be returned to the nest so the female continues to incubate them rather than re-nesting.
• Hazing: Non-injurious harassment to discourage geese from using a property is generally permitted and does not require a permit. Approved hazing methods include trained border collies, mylar tape, predator decoys, and noise deterrents.
• Lethal removal: Lethal control of Canada geese requires a federal USFWS depredation permit plus a NYSDEC permit. These permits are generally issued for severe situations — documented public health threats, airport safety issues, or significant property damage. Recreational killing of Canada geese without a hunting license during open season is also legal.

Effective Goose Management Strategies for Long Island Properties

The most effective long-term goose management on Long Island HOA ponds, golf courses, and corporate properties combines multiple strategies:

Border Collie Hazing Programs

Border collies trained specifically for goose management are consistently the most effective hazing tool for Long Island properties. Geese perceive border collies as predators and will not tolerate their persistent, patient herding behavior. Unlike stationary visual deterrents, border collies actively pursue geese — from the lawn to the water's edge and onto the water if necessary — until the geese leave the property. Consistent daily hazing with border collies over two to four weeks typically breaks resident geese of a property-use habit if it begins before nesting.

Habitat Modification

Canada geese prefer to feed on short, mowed grass with unobstructed sight lines and immediate access to water. Allowing a buffer of unmowed native vegetation (two to four feet tall) around the perimeter of Long Island ponds creates a visual and physical barrier that geese are reluctant to cross. This is the most cost-effective long-term solution for many Nassau and Suffolk County HOAs, though it requires acceptance of a less manicured shoreline appearance.

Egg Addling

Annual egg addling, conducted under the USFWS depredation order by a registered agent, prevents population growth. Egg addling does not reduce the existing flock but stops it from growing. For Nassau and Suffolk County properties with established resident flocks, egg addling combined with hazing is the standard integrated management approach.

Timing: When to Act on Long Island

The most important timing consideration for Long Island goose management is to begin hazing programs before nesting (before late February or early March). Once a female goose has selected a nesting site and begun incubating eggs, hazing near the nest is ineffective and potentially dangerous — nesting females will aggressively defend their nests. Hazing must begin in late winter, before site fidelity is established. Properties that begin a border collie hazing program in January or February have dramatically better outcomes than those that wait until geese are already nesting. Call (516) 447-4673 to schedule a goose management consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions