The Geese plague

[tummyman]

I've managed to keep them off my land, but the water is a problem. For years now, neither my wife or I can swim in the lake in front of our
property because we get this terrible "duck itch"...as some call it. I have no idea what can be done, as there are lots of water foul in the water. We have tried washing off with well water, toweling hard, taking showers, etc. etc, but nothing seems to help. So now we do not go swimming.....so sad.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by tummyman

I've managed to keep them off my land, but the water is a problem. For years now, neither my wife or I can swim in the lake in front of our
property because we get this terrible "duck itch"...as some call it. I have no idea what can be done, as there are lots of water foul in the water. We have tried washing off with well water, toweling hard, taking showers, etc. etc, but nothing seems to help. So now we do not go swimming.....so sad.

Ugh, such a bummer. Yours seems like an extreme case. Do they populate nearby docks? Are you in a cove with relatively little circulation?

I'm pretty sure you are allowed to control waterfowl population with a permit, if you have good reason. You might look into professional help too

[tis]

Originally Posted by tummyman

I've managed to keep them off my land, but the water is a problem. For years now, neither my wife or I can swim in the lake in front of our
property because we get this terrible "duck itch"...as some call it. I have no idea what can be done, as there are lots of water foul in the water. We have tried washing off with well water, toweling hard, taking showers, etc. etc, but nothing seems to help. So now we do not go swimming.....so sad.

That is just awful. It's pretty bad when you can't even swim. Quite a few years ago somebody, either the town or the state, removed some from Back Bay. Maybe you could contact the town for starters and tell them your situation. I do think if something isn't done, we all are going to have to go to the state before the lake is ruined. Are they oblivious? They were NOT native to this lake. You NEVER used to see them. I remember a sweet lady in Back Bay in Wolfeboro starting feeding them and they began to stay in the winter. My mom and I went down to see them because they were a phenomenon. They grew to 7 and then 20 and then more. I don't know if that same thing happened in another part of the lake, but that is how they started on this side of the lake.

[John Mercier]

They blocked off large hunting areas that we used.
And all the added factors, the number of hunters deciding to take up the recreation declined.

[ApS]

Tis, the first Canada Geese I've seen this summer cruised by last Friday.

I counted (then re-counted) fifteen fully-grown goslings following their two parents.

In other jurisdictions, unwanted populations of waterfowl are reduced by "addling" their eggs. The nests are abandoned weeks later, rather than starting a new clutch too late in the nesting season.

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

Tis, the first Canada Geese I've seen this summer cruised by last Friday.

I counted (then re-counted) fifteen fully-grown goslings following their two parents.

In other jurisdictions, unwanted populations of waterfowl are reduced by "addling" their eggs. The nests are abandoned weeks later, rather than starting a new clutch too late in the nesting season.

Yup, I have seen them. I wonder if that is two families.

[barefootbay]

They used to be migratory but because of year round open water and people feeding them they are year round residents now.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by barefootbay

They used to be migratory but because of year round open water and people feeding them they are year round residents now.

Must be Massholes.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Must be Massholes.

Now, that's funny.

[tis]

Originally Posted by barefootbay

They used to be migratory but because of year round open water and people feeding them they are year round residents now.

Exactly, people fed them.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by ApS

Tis, the first Canada Geese I've seen this summer cruised by last Friday.

I counted (then re-counted) fifteen fully-grown goslings following their two parents.

In other jurisdictions, unwanted populations of waterfowl are reduced by "addling" their eggs. The nests are abandoned weeks later, rather than starting a new clutch too late in the nesting season.

It isn't working in those jurisdictions either.
To make them migrate, you need to take away the salad bar.

[tis]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

It isn't working in those jurisdictions either.
To make them migrate, you need to take away the salad bar.

Or they need to be relocated to populate somewhere else.

[Hillcountry]

Hmmm…respectfully, for the goose-haters, Mother Nature was HERE long before the hordes of humans took over the lake…just sayin’🤔

[tis]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Hmmm…respectfully, for the goose-haters, Mother Nature was HERE long before the hordes of humans took over the lake…just sayin’🤔

Wrong, the geese are not natural to the lake and were never here in the past except to fly overhead to migrate.

[John Mercier]

They would simply return.
It may not be the original animals, but new ones would fill the void as the food source is still available.

It is like planting a corn field year-after-year and watching whitetails.

[tis]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They would simply return.
It may not be the original animals, but new ones would fill the void as the food source is still available.

It is like planting a corn field year-after-year and watching whitetails.

Well, remove them again.

[SAMIAM]

Was in town today and saw a guy with a couple of dogs keeping the geese at bay…..I counted 50 of them and there was poop everywhere, even on the walks where people step on it.
After a few errands we drove by again and the dogs were gone so the geese were coming back up on the grass for breakfast.
We really need to do something. How about giving some teens a summer job and let them keep the geese away
They will eventually leave if they can’t feed

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Was in town today and saw a guy with a couple of dogs keeping the geese at bay…..I counted 50 of them and there was poop everywhere, even on the walks where people step on it.
After a few errands we drove by again and the dogs were gone so the geese were coming back up on the grass for breakfast.
We really need to do something. How about giving some teens a summer job and let them keep the geese away
They will eventually leave if they can’t feed

About a week ago My wife and I walk to Meredith Town docks and there was geese crap all over the aluminum loading dock. People were still putting their boats in, but they had to dodge the geese poop. There was a young girl collecting the ramp fee but I'm sure she wasn't going to clean the dock.
I've always seen it all over the park but that's the first time I've seen it all over the dock.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Between goose dodo and fertilizer runoff from luscious green waterfront lawns, plus a host of other things plaguing our waterways…..it’s very sad what is happening to all our lakes!

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They would simply return.
It may not be the original animals, but new ones would fill the void as the food source is still available.

It is like planting a corn field year-after-year and watching whitetails.

It is sad that your ignorance is allowed in every post!

You are NOT an expert on EVERY subject!

Let a subject go.... Read up on it.... then... NVM

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

It is sad that your ignorance is allowed in every post!

You are NOT an expert on EVERY subject!

Let a subject go.... Read up on it.... then... NVM

That’s a little harsh

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

That’s a little harsh

I've learned to ignore them. Farming and hunting is not something they are all aware of.

If you provide a feeding opportunity for wildlife.
Even when you kill off what is there... a new animal will discover the opportunity.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

I've learned to ignore them. Farming and hunting is not something they are all aware of.

If you provide a feeding opportunity for wildlife.
Even when you kill off what is there... a new animal will discover the opportunity.

You absolutely haven't learned to ignore anyone!

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Biggd

You absolutely haven't learned to ignore anyone!

That's fair.

But we have had fields that run all the way to the water for decades, and no real geese problem.

So I am going to keep advocating the liberal policy of bringing back the opportunity to hunt them. Open those off limit zones, and let those of us that have hunted in the past return to what we do.

[Blyblvrd]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

That's fair.

But we have had fields that run all the way to the water for decades, and no real geese problem.

So I am going to keep advocating the liberal policy of bringing back the opportunity to hunt them. Open those off limit zones, and let those of us that have hunted in the past return to what we do.

You can hunt Geese in NH. Requires a variety of state and federal paperwork that is very achievable (in addition to the proper NH hunting license requirements).

https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-...-new-hampshire


Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Blyblvrd

You can hunt Geese in NH. Requires a variety of state and federal paperwork that is very achievable (in addition to the proper NH hunting license requirements).

https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-...-new-hampshire


Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The licensing and tags have been the same for decades with only minor changes.
It is the areas that are open to harvesting that are shrinking.

I equate it roughly to the island deer situation.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

It is sad that your ignorance is allowed in every post!

You are NOT an expert on EVERY subject!

Let a subject go.... Read up on it.... then... NVM

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

That’s a little harsh

Not at all.

Jon took the OP to task in post #3 and was proven wrong. He back peddled along the way without doing any real research.

Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Hunting in New Hampshire
Waterfowl hunting is a long-standing tradition in New Hampshire, with opportunities from coastal waters to the North Country.

To hunt waterfowl in New Hampshire, you are required to have a Migratory Waterfowl License and a current NH Hunting, Combination or Small Game License (available at any Fish and Game license agent), as well as a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. You also are required to have a free Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) Survey permit number.

Note on Federal Waterfowl Stamps: The Federal Waterfowl Stamp is regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not the State of New Hampshire. We have been made aware that many U.S. Post Offices do not carry the Federal Waterfowl Stamp or are out of them. You can order the federal stamps at: www.duckstamp.com.

Waterfowl & Migratory Bird Seasons Species

Canada Geese Inland seasons
Sep 1- Sep 25
Oct 9 -Nov 11
Nov 27 -Dec 22

https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-...-new-hampshire

Fis 306.01 Areas Closed to Hunting.
(a) Because of the danger to human life and property, the following areas shall be closed to the specified type of
hunting as follows:
(1) The Winnipesaukee River from the former cement bridge at the south end of Lake Winnisquam to Silver
Lake shall be closed to waterfowl hunting;
(2) Silver Lake in Tilton-Belmont shall be closed to waterfowl hunting in the following areas:
a. For a 300 yard radius along the eastern shore from the power dam to the point of land on the south
side of the entrance to Gardners Grove; and
b. All of Gardners Grove;
(3) The Squam River in the town of Holderness between Big and Little Squam Lakes, and the adjoining land
area within 300 yards of the water area described shall be closed to all waterfowl hunting;
(4) The Squam River, between Little Squam Lake and the town of Ashland, and the land area within 300
yards of the water shall be closed to all waterfowl hunting;
(5) Big Squam lake including so-called Cotton Cove, south of a line from Kusumpee Point to the northeast tip
of Pine Point and to the mouth of White Oak Brook, and that land and water area between White Oak Brook
and Squam River north of Route 3 shall:
a. Be closed to all hunting; and
b. Include the land area 300 yards adjacent to the water area described;
(6) Paugus Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee, known as Pickerel Cove and that area of Paugus Bay within a 300
yard radius from the mouth of Pickerel Cove, shall be closed to waterfowl hunting;
(7) Lake Winnisquam shall be closed to waterfowl hunting in the following areas:
a. All area south of Winnisquam Bridge also known as Mosquito Bridge to and including Mohawk
Island;
b. The eastern shore south of Mohawk Island, including Sun Ray Canal and the area known as Back
Pond or Tucker Pond, to the red and black channel marker buoys at Sandy Beach and the mouth of
Tucker or Durgin Brook;
SEE OVER
2 (08/25/17)
2 (08/25/17)
c. The eastern shore of the lake north of Mosquito Bridge to and including Loon Island excluding that
area from Hueber's sawmill north and east to the Laconia-Belmont town line;
d. All area north of Loon Island to the head end of the Lake; and
e. In all

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

It is sad that your ignorance is allowed in every post!

You are NOT an expert on EVERY subject!

Let a subject go.... Read up on it.... then... NVM

Good luck there,,,

Too often I have to step away from here unable to read the never ending "expert" comments on EVERYTHING!

But bravo for speaking up.