Canada Geese Management
Introduction | Human & Habitat Modification | Harassment, Hunting & Permits | Questions & Answers
- I have a Canada goose attempting to nest on my property, but there is just nesting material and no eggs yet.
No permit is required to harass geese using visual, audial, and physical methods such as dog chasing, water hoses, leaf blowers, etc., but you may not physically harm the geese. All local ordinances must be obeyed. If there are no eggs in the nest, you may destroy the nest without a permit – the nest may not be kept. Placing a barrier in front of the nesting area so that the geese cannot re-nest is recommended. If an egg is placed in the nest, a federal permit must be obtained.
- I have a Canada goose nesting on my property and would like to remove the nest/eggs to alleviate aggressive nesting behavior of the geese.
You MUST register online with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx prior to destroying the eggs/nest. Once the egg/nest destruction work is complete, make sure to return all record forms per website guidance/instructions to the USFWS. No permit is required from the Indiana DNR for Canada goose egg/nest removal.
- I have an aggressive Canada goose (defending its nest) on my property. I registered online and destroyed the nest/eggs, but the Canada goose continues to be aggressive.
In situations in which Canada goose aggression is not resolved by removing the nest and eggs, a permit can be issued by an urban wildlife biologist to euthanize the aggressive goose/geese pair (online egg/nest registration is a prerequisite activity). The goose/geese must be euthanized by a qualified waterfowl control operator. A permit can only be issued to someone with the legal authority at the property in question (landowner, HOA President, Property Manager, etc.).
- I have a large number of Canada geese on my property. I would like to trap and relocate the Canada geese to another location.
A permit can be issued by an urban wildlife biologist to relocate Canada geese during their flightless period ONLY (approximately mid-June through early July). The trapping and relocation can be conducted by the permittee or a qualified waterfowl control operator. A permit can only be issued to someone with the legal authority at the property in question (landowner, HOA President, Property Manager, etc.).
- I have a mallard duck that has nested on my property. It has a nest and egg OR the eggs have hatched and the ducklings are in a confined space.
A mallard egg/nest destruction permit can be issued by an urban wildlife biologist to remove nests/eggs. If the eggs have hatched, the ducklings can be herded (through doors or corridors) to open spaces (the hen will stay with the ducklings). If this is NOT an option, a permitted wildlife rehabilitator or waterfowl control operator can possess the ducklings (if they cannot access food or water) and ultimately free the ducklings with the hen.
- I have a domestic (non-wild duck or goose) on my property.
Domestic ducks and geese are NOT regulated by Indiana DNR.
- I live in a rural area and have problems with nuisance Canada geese. They regularly rest on a body of water on my property OR they have caused crop damage on my property.
Consider hunting as a management strategy to alleviate Canada goose concerns. Where safe and lawful, hunting Canada geese in the legal season is the most economical, practical method to alleviate Canada goose concerns. Outside of the hunting seasons, Canada geese causing agricultural depredation or damage to property can be shot via a permit issued by an urban wildlife biologist.