In response to recently announced changes in federal regulations governing the control of resident Canada geese, the Game Commission announced this week it would consider draft rules for controlling nuisance Canada geese at its October meeting.

While it is too late for the Commission to take action for the 2006 waterfowl season, agency staff will have discussions to consider whether it should recommend changes for the 2007 season.

Resident Canada geese typically stay in the same area or move short distances. There is no evidence that resident Canada geese breed with migratory Canada geese that nest in northern Canada and Alaska.

The rapid rise of resident Canada goose populations has been attributed to a number of factors. Key among them is that most resident Canada geese live in temperate climates with relatively stable breeding habitat conditions.

They tolerate human and other disturbances, have a relative abundance of food and nesting habitat, and fly short distances for winter compared to migratory Canada goose populations. The absence of waterfowl hunting and natural predators in urban areas also has contributed to perpetuating overabundance.

In the Atlantic Flyway, the resident Canada goose population has increased an average of two percent per year over the last four years and was estimated at 1.15 million resident Canada geese this past spring.

In Pennsylvania, the current estimated population of resident Canada geese is 229,000. Last year's estimated population was 282,000 and, in 2004, the estimated population was an all-time high of 299,000. The management goal for Pennsylvania's resident Canada goose population is 100,000.

For more information, visit the Game Commission announcement on controlling Canada Geese.

8/25/2006