2023 Goose Mitigation Approach
Updated February 21, 2023
Lake Beulah as well as other Wisconsin lakes have seen a dramatic increase in the number of Canada geese that are migrant and permanent inhabitants. Consistent with the mission of the LBPIA, and representative of what we believe to be the consensus viewpoint of our membership, it is our opinion a reduced goose population will increase the health and environmental quality of Lake Beulah. The goose mitigation plan will benefit all those who enjoy the lake, as well as all its diverse natural community. As a result, the LBPIA plans to initiate a goose round-up in mid-June to early July of 2023.
Health and environmental problems associated with the goose population:
Geese produce an average of 5 young per nest. They can live 20+ years and they have adapted to live comfortably alongside humans. Geese return each year to the lake where they were hatched and learned to fly. When they are three years old, they begin to breed and raise their young.
Adult healthy geese do not have a natural predator that keeps the population under control therefore their numbers continue to increase.
An average adult goose produces 1 pound of feces per day.
Human health concerns include transmission of disease (chlamydiosis, e-coli, listeria, pasteurella multocida and salmonella) and swimmer’s itch according to Mike Jones, Wisconsin Wildlife Biologist . Geese can be aggressive especially during breeding and the nesting season and they damage shoreline vegetation.
Mitigation measures:
Fencing, shoreline modifications, scare devices, predator decoys, hunting during the designated season, locating nests and treating the eggs to prevent hatching. All these tactics will provide minimal population control.
The most successful mitigation method, approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Wildlife Services Department is the round-up and removal of the geese during mid-June and July when the adult birds are molting and the juvenile geese are unable to fly.
Trained Wildlife Services staff with assistance from the LBPIA will herd the geese into netted panels on land and load them into trailers. The geese are donated to a local raptor center for food.
The costs of the mitigation services will be paid for by those participating. Projected Price per Participant is currently estimated to be $60 - $70. Pricing and payment information to follow in Spring 2023.
This mitigation measure does not eliminate the goose population, but rather controls the population. A reduced goose population will increase the health and environmental quality for all Lake Beulah residents.
The LBPIA Board and its Membership voted at our 2022 Fall Meeting to move forward with a USDA/WI DNR recommended Goose Mitigation Plan.
If you wish to learn more, please view the PowerPoint presentation by Mike Jones Wildlife Biologist USDA Wildlife Services, which was given at the LBPIA fall 2022 meeting. If you would like your property to be involved, please complete the Riparian Homeowner Authorization Form below.
Riparian Homeowner Authorization Form
I authorize representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services to access the property listed below for the purposes of goose management (egg oiling and/or round-up). This permission form has no expiration date and remains in effect unless you request to be removed from the approved site list. Decisions on goose management will be made on an annual basis. Please notify your local contact if you wish to be removed from the list, have problems with geese on your property, know of a nest, or have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your assistance.