Canada Geese Control New York
Canada geese overrunning your pond, golf course, or corporate campus? Wildlife NY provides USFWS-compliant goose management programs across Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and the NYC metro area.
⚠️ Canada Geese Are Federally Protected
Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). It is illegal to kill, capture, or relocate geese, destroy active nests, or oil or puncture eggs without a federal permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Effective Canada goose management in New York requires a combination of permitted egg addling, professional hazing, exclusion fencing, and habitat modification — not lethal methods. Wildlife NY handles permit coordination and implements complete management programs tailored to your property.
Problems Canada Geese Cause in New York
Fecal contamination — a single goose produces up to 2 pounds of droppings per day
Water quality degradation of ponds, retention basins, and stormwater features
Lawn destruction — geese graze aggressively on manicured turf
Aggressive territorial behavior — particularly during nesting (March–June)
Aviation safety hazard near airports (geese are a leading cause of bird strikes)
Liability for slip-and-fall incidents on contaminated walkways and parking areas
Legal Canada Goose Management Methods
All effective goose management in New York combines multiple strategies. No single method provides lasting control on its own.
🥚 Egg Addling (USFWS Permit Required)
Egg addling involves coating eggs with corn oil or shaking/puncturing them to prevent hatching — while allowing incubating geese to remain on the nest, preventing them from re-nesting. This is the single most effective long-term population management tool. Requires a USFWS Resident Canada Goose permit. Wildlife NY handles permit acquisition and conducts all addling operations within legal timelines.
🐕 Border Collie Hazing
Trained border collies use natural herding instincts to chase geese without harming them. When conducted consistently over 3–6 weeks, this conditions geese to perceive your property as a predator zone and relocate to other areas. Most effective when implemented in late winter before geese establish nesting territories. Wildlife NY deploys trained handler-and-dog teams across Nassau and Suffolk county properties.
🚧 Exclusion Fencing
Low-profile wire or grid fencing installed along water edges denies geese access from water to lawn — breaking the transition zone they require for feeding. Geese will not walk long distances or climb through barriers. Properly installed exclusion fencing provides excellent results at ponds where the water edge can be fully fenced.
🌱 Habitat Modification
Geese prefer short-mown lawns adjacent to open water with clear sightlines for predator detection. Allowing shoreline buffer vegetation (native grasses, shrubs) to grow 24–36 inches tall breaks sightlines and reduces lawn-to-water access. Less maintenance-intensive properties experience significantly lower goose pressure over time.
Canada Geese Management: Who We Serve in New York
Wildlife NY provides Canada goose management programs tailored to the specific regulatory and operational needs of commercial and institutional property types across New York:
Golf Courses
Pond-edge exclusion, egg addling programs, and border collie hazing for Nassau and Suffolk golf courses.
Corporate Campuses
Retention pond and common area management for office parks and corporate properties throughout the NY metro area.
Municipal Parks
NYSDEC-coordinated management programs for county and municipal park departments across New York.
HOAs & Communities
Seasonal goose programs for homeowner associations and residential communities with shared ponds and common areas.
Schools & Universities
Athletic field and campus pond management, with priority on non-disruptive methods during school hours.
Healthcare Facilities
Entrance walkway and parking area goose management for hospitals and medical complexes.
Canada Geese in Nassau & Suffolk County
Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island have among the highest densities of resident Canada geese in New York State. The combination of abundant retention ponds, corporate parks, golf courses, and manicured suburban lawns provides ideal goose habitat throughout the island.
NYSDEC wildlife biologists coordinate with property managers on Long Island for management programs involving egg addling and population surveys. Wildlife NY works directly with NYSDEC and USFWS to ensure all Nassau and Suffolk county goose management programs comply with applicable federal and state regulations.
Westchester County corporate campuses and golf courses also face significant goose pressure, particularly along the Hudson River corridor and at properties with retention basins. Our Westchester goose management programs are tailored to local regulations and NYSDEC district requirements.
Related Wildlife Services
Canada Geese Control FAQ
Canada Geese Taking Over Your Property? Call Today.
USFWS-compliant egg addling, border collie hazing, exclusion fencing, and habitat modification. Serving golf courses, corporate campuses, parks, and HOAs across New York.