Geese Management Program

The Geese Management Device

Research with the geese management device has shown the device to be most successful with a dedicated effort of about 4-6 days of persistent use in one area and continuing with on-going use as needed. The persistent use shows a new predator has moved into the area encouraging the geese to leave that property. This method has been shown to be very effective for many properties throughout the country such as golf courses, park districts, homeowners associations, universities and office complexes. Several municipalities in the area have used this method in the last few years with success as a way to humanely displace the birds to a more natural setting, helping to reduce conflict between geese and humans.

The geese management device is a ground craft the size of a medium dog. It is electrically powered and remotely controlled by a trained operator. It is designed to navigate all types of terrain in which a goose lives, including grass, snow, ice, water and sand. Research has shown birds can see colors very well, so the geese management device is a bright orange color with an aggressive facial expression. These characteristics on the geese management device were researched by Cornell University and found to be effective by leaving the longest imprint and having the biggest impression.

Use of the Geese Management Device

The CCOB staff sets the schedule for the use of the geese management device based on the flock of geeses’ behavior. Initially, it is used persistently to encourage the geese to move to a more fitting location. The frequency of use will decrease once the geese have found a new location. 

Geese management will not occur during nesting season (typically mid-March through June). 

Each staff member is thoroughly trained regarding the proper use of the geese management device and will wear a safety vest denoting them as CCOB Wildlife Management. This device is used city wide; CCOB staff cover around 70 areas and will treat geese depending on where flocks decide to congregate. 

City and County of Broomfield Deterrents

Over the last 23 years, CCOB has used the deterrent program developed in coordination with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Broomfield City Council which includes live hazing dogs, a silhouette program and laser pointers. As time has passed the live dog program has been retired and the silhouette program continues. 

Silhouettes are cut out shapes of dogs placed on sports fields, around ponds and other locations in parks. Based on past observations, the silhouettes have had some effect at reducing the number of geese in the parks. Other techniques employed more recently are mirrors and green laser pointers. Using the laser will not harm the geese in any way and by shining the incredibly bright laser in the middle of the flock, the geese get agitated, generally causing them to fly away. 

CCOB staff was not seeing the desired deterrent level to keep the health and environmental risks low enough, so the geese management device was employed in Spring 2024. The geese management device is used to humanely displace the birds to a more natural setting , helping to reduce conflict between geese and humans. 

How Canada Geese Affect the Environment and Human Health

Though Canada geese may have become a familiar sight driving around the Front Range, the growing population has an impact on the local ecosystem, human and pet health. 

Impacting Ecosystems

An overabundant Canada geese population can negatively impact ecosystems by causing a reduction in the abundance and diversity of a range of species through their grazing, grubbing and trampling. Large groups displace other native waterfowl, reducing the availability of food, shelter and nesting sites. Canada geese frequently overgraze natural habitats, particularly along fresh and brackish water shorelines, which directly reduces plant species diversity. 

Vegetation loss along shorelines results in increased erosion and sedimentation of water bodies. Excessive quantities of fecal matter both in and around water bodies, causing excess phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, largely contributes to declines in water quality. 

Affecting Human Health

Canada geese range further from water than other waterfowl species and thus distribute their droppings over a larger area of park grassland. This more widespread distribution of their droppings leads Canada geese to pose a greater potential health risk than other waterfowl. 

When geese defecate near shore or in the water, they create a health risk to humans. Their fecal material may contain the swimmer’s itch organism along with fecal bacteria. Swimmer’s itch is a temporary skin rash caused by a small parasite. A larger concern are fecal bacteria, or Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are naturally occuring bacteria in the digestive tracts of warm-blooded animals. E. coli, when present in large amounts, may cause gastrointestinal problems in humans and pets such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The presence of E. coli may also indicate the potential presence of other pathogenic organisms. 

Droppings from Canada geese may also contain Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter, Chlamydophila, E. coli, Listeria, Pasteurella multocida, Salmonella, avian influenza, and encephalitic viruses. Contact and ingestion of water in areas frequented by geese should be avoided.

How You Can Help Alter the Habitat

Studies show the key to encouraging Canada geese to not congregate in parks is to alter the habitat. This can be done in many different ways.

Stop Feeding the Geese

Do not feed or allow feeding of geese or other waterfowl. Geese can become domesticated very quickly if they are getting the majority of their food from people. Efforts to frighten geese away are ineffective if nearby neighbors are feeding the geese. If geese are being fed in the area, it will be very difficult to persuade them to move elsewhere. 

Landscape Modification

Geese dislike visual barriers between ponds and feeding areas. Planting trees, thick bushes or a dense hedge between grassy areas and water may make property less attractive to geese. While the living barrier is growing thick enough to be useful, you may need to use other methods, such as temporary fencing or repellents, to keep the geese from establishing in the area. Geese prefer mowed grasses; so leaving a buffer area of tall grass and wildflowers can create a visual and physical barrier to resident geese. 

Repellents

There are several commercial repellents advertised to keep geese off of lawns. These products must be applied according to label directions to be effective. They may need to be reapplied after rain, or twice weekly in dry conditions. Approved repellents are made from biodegradable, food-grade ingredients and are not toxic to birds, dogs, cats or humans. 

Report an Issue with Geese

Report an issue with geese in an area by emailing parks@broomfield.org.