# Need new rules for killing nuisance Canadian geese in Maryland **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 28, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535 "2006-08-28T15:55:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/1 "2006-08-28T15:55:10Z")
Apparently there are new federal guidelines (see below) that offer a lot more flexibility in exterminating problem Canadian geese. I’m trying to find the set of rules and regulations specifically for MD that would govern this. I’ve called the extension service but the “bird man” is currently out, and I left a message for him. Are these rules online anywhere? Any help appreciated. Do I even need a set of rules specifically for MD? Can I follow the federal guidelines & be OK? [U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ISSUES FINAL DECISION ON RESIDENT CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT](http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=FE92380D-04DA-FBFC-B482F394FE864A3B) [This press release is a bit easier to read (bigger font)](http://www.outdoorcentral.com/mc/pr/06/08/13a1a1b.asp) [Here is the federal rule](http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/fedreg/regs07/Goose%20final%20rule.pdf) (2 meg pdf) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/2 "2006-08-28T16:07:24Z")
BTW in the opinion of goose experts would a a shot from a high velocity paintball gun be able to kill a full sized Canadian or would it just piss it off? What _is_ the best way to safely kill a Canadian goose? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/3 "2006-08-28T16:11:42Z")
AFAIK, it is **Canada** Geese, not **Canadian** Geese. And I wouldn’t mess with them, they’re mean. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/4 "2006-08-28T17:42:42Z")
[Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Hunting Migratory Game Birds](http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/mgb.asp) – Everything you ever wanted to know about hunting migratory game birds in Maryland, and more! Including: It’s illegal to hunt on Sunday. Why? Are the birds religious? ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/5 "2006-08-28T17:50:09Z")
I very highly doubt that a paintball gun of any velocity would kill a Canada Goose, they are pretty tough. The best way to kill one is a 12 or 10 gauge shotgun at a distance of 40 yards or less, using shot size BB or BBB. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/6 "2006-08-28T18:03:36Z")
I saw something once on television about a golf course that was trying to control their overpopulation of Canada geese. They tried fake owls, radio-controlled scary toy boats, scarecrows, noisemaking stuff, but none of them worked. The only thing that worked was a smart, vigorous border collie who enthusiastically chased the hell out of them! ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/7 "2006-08-28T18:30:24Z")
If I’m understanding the press release right, they’re declaring that nuisance geese are now technically “non-migratory”, so they’re no longer eligible for all-encompassing automatic protection under the migratory bird hunting laws. So looking up the relevant statutes for hunting migratory birds won’t help. But I’d definitely call the DNR if the extension service “bird man” isn’t back yet. [Here’s](http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/aboutwildlife.asp) an additional set of numbers for the Maryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage Services folks. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/8 "2006-08-28T19:03:07Z")
> [@astro](#): > > BTW in the opinion of goose experts would a a shot from a high velocity paintball gun be able to kill a full sized Canadian or would it just piss it off? > > What _is_ the best way to safely kill a Canadian goose? It would just PISS ME OFF. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/9 "2006-08-28T19:10:10Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > It would just PISS ME OFF. [sub]Well never mind then.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/10 "2006-08-28T19:21:51Z")
The state DNR bird man called me back. They are currently looking into these new federal regs and will likely have some response in the next several months. He gave me to understand that regardless of the federal regs, that any corrective actions by a property owner would still likely require a detailed list of what birds were taken & how etc., and that a state or private control professional would be required to deal with the birds. The only thing this ruling removes is the requirement to apply for federal on site assessment. You’re still going to need some sort of permit & permission to “harvest” these shit machines. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/11 "2006-08-28T19:51:44Z")
> [@teela brown](#): > > I saw something once on television about a golf course that was trying to control their overpopulation of Canada geese. They tried fake owls, radio-controlled scary toy boats, scarecrows, noisemaking stuff, but none of them worked. The only thing that worked was a smart, vigorous border collie who enthusiastically chased the hell out of them! I used to work for a world famous audio equipment company. They had engineers, marketing people, technicians, and a guy that had two well trained border collies to herd geese and keep them away from the important parts of the grounds. I am sure it was a cool job for him. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/12 "2006-08-28T21:05:06Z")
Just be aware that they tend to be greasy. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/13 "2006-08-28T21:23:13Z")
> [@edwino](#): > > Just be aware that they tend to be greasy. [You don’t say!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=356653&highlight=goose+grease) ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/14 "2006-08-28T21:41:40Z")
> [@astro](#): > > BTW in the opinion of goose experts would a a shot from a high velocity paintball gun be able to kill a full sized Canadian or would it just piss it off? > > What _is_ the best way to safely kill a Canadian goose? Kinda depends on what you mean by “best” and “safely”. Obviously, no method will be particularly safe for the goose. Still, a flamethrower would be highly effective and also entertaining… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-new-rules-for-killing-nuisance-canadian-geese-in-maryland/370535/15 "2006-08-28T21:57:58Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Kinda depends on what you mean by “best” and “safely”. Obviously, no method will be particularly safe for the goose. > > Still, a flamethrower would be highly effective and also entertaining… Not safe to immolate them… too much grease.