Goose Roundup Season Has Arrived: Here’s How to Plan Ahead

Goose roundup season requires careful planning; here’s what to know for this coming season. 

Canada Geese often create health and safety concerns for property owners and managers. From aggression to unsanitary and unsightly droppings, the presence of these large birds around your building can mean trouble.

A goose roundup is a very effective method of removing geese from your property. This simply requires a good game plan that RAC can help you build. Here’s what you need to know.

Don’t Miss the Window of Opportunity for Goose Roundups

Rounding up geese can only occur during their flightless period (approximately June 3 through July 10). During this time, geese molt which simply means they shed and regrow their flight feathers.

During a goose roundup, the birds are corralled, loaded onto a trailer, and safely relocated to an approved fish and wildlife area or taken to a euthanasia site. This decision is made on an individual basis by the property owner or manager.

Prior to relocation or euthanasia, the birds are inspected for metal bands used for research purposes to identify the gender, age, and migration patterns of individual birds. Information on banded geese is sent to Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to better understand the species’ habits, as well as population growth and migration.

How to Schedule a Goose Roundup

While the window of opportunity is short, the good news is that scheduling a goose roundup is easy.

At Rusty’s Animal Control (RAC), we help you through the application paperwork that is necessary to acquire a permit for the removal of geese. These permits are managed through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. To be eligible for a permit, geese-caused damage or expenses of at least $500 must be documented in the permit request. The costs can include clean-up and costs associated with eliminating potential legal risks. There is no charge for the permit.

Once the permit application is approved, we work with you to determine the best date for geese removal based on your schedule and molting season for the birds. All clients can choose between relocation and euthanasia of the birds. Watch below for a video of a goose roundup and relocation:

Contact us for help managing your geese problems