Animal control generally does not remove geese because they are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Goose removal is handled by licensed wildlife professionals or through special permits from state and federal agencies.
Canada geese can create serious challenges for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities, from aggressive nesting behavior to property damage and health risks. Many people assume calling animal control will solve the problem, yet geese fall under strict federal protections that limit what local agencies can do.
This article explains why animal control usually cannot remove geese and who actually has the authority to address the issue. You’ll learn how specialized wildlife services, depredation permits, and professional management strategies provide safe, legal, and effective solutions.
Limits of Traditional Animal Control
Animal control departments are typically set up to handle domestic animals and small local wildlife, not migratory birds like geese. Federal protections further restrict their ability to intervene.
Here are the main limits you should know:
Focus on pets and local ordinances: Most animal control officers deal with stray dogs, cats, and nuisance issues under city codes. Geese fall outside their normal responsibilities.
Federal protections in place: Canada geese are covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to capture, relocate, or kill them without a permit. Local agencies lack the authority to bypass this law.
Lack of training and equipment: Animal control is not equipped with the specialized tools or methods required to manage large, aggressive flocks. Handling geese safely requires skills and resources beyond their scope.
Referral instead of removal: In most cases, animal control may take a report and then direct residents to state wildlife agencies or professional services. This ensures compliance with federal and state regulations.
Exception Cases – Who Actually Handles Geese
While animal control usually cannot remove geese, there are special cases where other authorities or licensed professionals step in. These exceptions follow federal law and require specific authorization or programs.
Municipal Wildlife Contracts
Some cities hire private wildlife firms to manage goose conflicts in parks, water facilities, and golf courses. These contracts often include hazing, capture, or egg management, always under legal guidelines.
For example, Atlanta approved a program to capture and relocate geese near reservoirs as part of a humane city initiative. Such arrangements are exceptions and depend on municipal budgets and partnerships.
USDA Wildlife Services
The USDA has dedicated teams that provide technical support and direct management for nuisance geese. Their work may involve hazing, egg addling, or controlled culling when necessary.
These activities are carried out under federal oversight to ensure compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many airports and large properties rely on USDA Wildlife Services for long-term goose management.
State Wildlife Agencies
State-level departments of natural resources or fish and wildlife agencies oversee goose management in their regions. They issue permits for nest or egg destruction through federal depredation orders. These agencies also provide guidance on habitat modification and local deterrents. Contacting them is often the first step when geese become a persistent problem on private property.
Depredation Orders for Landowners
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service allows landowners to register under depredation orders to legally control nests and eggs. This process requires online registration and annual reporting of activities.
It enables property managers, homeowners associations, and agricultural landowners to act within the law. Without this registration, interfering with goose nests or eggs is illegal.
Licensed Wildlife Removal Companies
Professional wildlife removal companies are trained and permitted to manage geese using humane and legal methods. They may employ techniques such as trained dogs, hazing devices, or exclusion barriers.
Unlike animal control, these specialists focus exclusively on wildlife conflicts and have the necessary equipment. Companies like AAAC Wildlife Removal tailor their approach to each site for effective long-term results.
What Professional Goose-Control Services Do
Wildlife control companies use a mix of legal, humane, and science-based methods to manage geese effectively. Their work focuses on prevention, deterrence, and long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.
Habitat Modification and Deterrents
Professionals often start by making an area less attractive to geese. This can include altering turf management, reducing open grassy areas, or using landscaping barriers near water edges.
Repellents like methyl anthranilate are sometimes applied to grass, creating an unpleasant taste for grazing geese. These measures address the root cause by discouraging flocks from settling in the first place.
Hazing with Trained Dogs
Border Collies and similar breeds are used to chase and harass geese without harming them. The presence of a real predator keeps geese unsettled and prevents habituation.
Professional handlers schedule repeated visits to maintain pressure and keep areas clear. This active approach has been widely adopted in parks, golf courses, and corporate campuses.
Egg Addling and Nest Management
Licensed services may perform egg addling, which involves shaking, coating, or replacing goose eggs to prevent hatching. This practice is strictly regulated and requires registration under federal depredation orders.
By controlling reproduction, it reduces long-term flock growth in problem areas. Nest management is often combined with hazing to provide a comprehensive strategy.
Exclusion and Barriers
Wildlife specialists also install barriers such as fencing along shorelines or netting in specific areas. These physical deterrents make it harder for geese to access nesting or grazing sites.
Exclusion works best in combination with other methods, since geese are adaptable and persistent. Properly placed barriers are especially effective around water bodies and landscaped lawns.
Long-Term Monitoring and Compliance
Professional services don’t just act once – they monitor goose activity over time to track progress. They also ensure that all measures follow federal and state regulations to avoid legal violations.
Regular reporting and follow-up visits help keep properties goose-free. This commitment to compliance and monitoring separates professional services from quick, do-it-yourself fixes.
Should You Ever Call Animal Control for Geese?
In most cases, calling animal control for geese will not lead to direct removal. Local animal control officers are generally tasked with managing domestic pets, stray animals, or local nuisance wildlife such as raccoons or opossums.
Because Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, animal control lacks the authority to capture, relocate, or euthanize them without federal approval. At best, they may document the concern and redirect the case to a state wildlife agency or the USDA.
That said, contacting animal control can still be useful in limited situations. If geese are behaving aggressively in public spaces or creating immediate safety risks, animal control may take reports and coordinate with the proper authorities.
They can also help clarify local ordinances and direct residents to the agencies that issue permits for goose management. While they won’t personally resolve the issue, they act as a point of contact that can guide you toward the right legal and professional resources.
Final Answer: Why Animal Control Isn’t the Solution for Geese
Animal control departments play an important role in community safety, but geese fall outside their authority due to federal protections and the need for specialized methods.
As a result, they cannot legally remove geese, leaving the responsibility to state wildlife agencies, federal programs, or licensed wildlife professionals. This distinction ensures that goose management stays compliant with conservation laws while still addressing property damage and public safety concerns.
The real takeaway is that goose conflicts require solutions designed specifically for migratory birds. From habitat modification to egg management and hazing programs, professional services and permitted actions provide long-term results that animal control simply cannot deliver.
Understanding these limits helps homeowners, businesses, and municipalities set realistic expectations and pursue the right resources when geese become a problem.
