Geese Issues

[The Bassman]

Any other bank walkers having trouble with aggressive geese?  I always heard you should stand them down and act like a bigger goose.  Then I did a little reading and learned just the opposite.  Just back away but don't turn away. Supposedly they rarely attack.  Any opinions?

[optimator]

The only time I've seen them get nasty is while their nesting. They WILL come after you. Just give them some room and it's usually OK. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't hang around if you smacked them upside the head with a rod if needed. 

[burrows]

They attack I just walk away fast because they do bite it doesn’t hurt but it stuns you scares you lol I put my hand up in front of its face telling it to back off and it bit me I was also kinda just curious as to if it would do anything? 

[Deleted account]

Yeah, some of my local ponds have a lot of nesting Canada geese. It only lasts a couple of weeks, but it times out with good fishing every spring. The ganders will hiss display and charge, but usually won't attack. I give them a wide birth while facing them sometimes I say "Hey! I have a great duck recipe". As long as you don't try to fish on top of their nest, they will usually leave you alone. Every so often one gets too close and acts a fool, then I just bop it over the head with my rod, that usually drives the point home, and they just waddle away.

[Jig Man]

I'd carry 1/2 a broom handle if I went where yard carp are hanging out.  They only charge at me 1 time.

[nascar2428]

I spread my arms and hiss right back at em. Where I fish, the nests are generally not accessible to humans, it's after the eggs hatch, that's when the try to get aggressive. Now wild turkeys are a whole nother story!!

[Bassin' Brad]

Have you tried a drop kick to the head?? 

[BuzzHudson19c]

Once they've molted they can't fly for a couple weeks. The whole fight or flight thing basically gives them one option when faced with a threat.

I hunt them during the season and have to remind myself it's a crime to mess with them after the season closes. It's really hard to not just grab them by the head and wring their stupid necks when they hiss at you. I just say "I'll be seeing you when the migration starts you little jerk."

[clark9312]

If you charge back they will run. I watched a guy catch one lol. He literally dove on it and that thing was freaked out

[Catt]

[Glaucus]

Nothing a good boot can't fix.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, BuzzHudson19c said:

Once they've molted they can't fly for a couple weeks. The whole fight or flight thing basically gives them one option when faced with a threat.

I hunt them during the season and have to remind myself it's a crime to mess with them after the season closes. It's really hard to not just grab them by the head and wring their stupid necks when they hiss at you. I just say "I'll be seeing you when the migration starts you little jerk."

Not a crime in my state (as long as it’s your property). If any animal of fowl causes damage to your property, you can take matters into your own hands as long as it’s not a T&E species. You do have to call fish and wildlife but nowadays they are pretty understanding. Goose burgers and goose steaks are Approved 

[Gundog]

I've had them try and sneak up on me. I just turn around and yell and they back off. Our state parks are literally infested with them. Some much so that many parks have had to close their swimming areas at least once a season because of goose fecal matter contaminating the water. I've heard of state parks hiring guys with dogs to keep the geese from taking over the place. I really think extended seasons and higher bag limits are needed to control the population. 

[burrows]

Do geese taste any good though?

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, Burros said:

Do geese taste any good though?

If you like liver they do.

 

 

I never understood the fear some folks seem to have of a bird much smaller than themselves. The worse you'll get is a little pinch if they grab some loose skin. Just stay away from the nest and goslings and they'll usually try to stay away from you. If they do charge you, a good boot or swat will change their mind really quick. 

[TOXIC]

You ain't seen nuthin till you've had to deal with a full grown swan.  Had one get in the boat with me and it was quite the battle.  

[Pro Logcatcher]

I've had them charge me but the worst part about geese is that they crap everywhere.

[fishwizzard]

I am pretty live and let live but geese do not respect the food chain and at times need to be reminded of their place on it.  

 

I used to work with a lady who boarded her horse on a farm with a huge geese population.  The horse girls would be sent out with 5g buckets to steal their eggs in hopes of keeping the numbers down and the eggs would make their way to me.  I will say that for all the PIA geese can be, their eggs more then make up for it.  The yoke is about the size of a chicken egg and is a vivid orange.  They are super rich and a goose-egg quiche is amazing.  Two of them make a huge omelette and one of my coworkers made a cheesecake out of them.  

[gim]

8 hours ago, Burros said:

Do geese taste any good though?

No, they don't.  They're like giant rats with wings.  And the smell that they emit when you try to pluck or skin them is unbearable.  Fun to hunt, not fit to eat.

 

As for the aggressive behavior, what prior posters have indicated is accurate.  They can get very defensive in the spring when they're defending a territory/nest and even more so when they have goslings.  Keep your distance.  The adults will usually start making a lot of noise if you're too close.  Both my brother and I have been attacked when we were younger and got too close to a nest.  I've seen them defend their goslings against some pretty mean predators too including mink, otter, and stray cats (and every time the geese won).  In the fall after we've injured one while hunting, I've seen them take on a full size 80 pound labrador retriever which was quite the spectacle.

 

Generally the issue is not physical attack.  Its the goose crap they leave behind on golf courses, lawns, and other large grassy areas that are nearby water.

[mattkenzer]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

No, they don't.  They're like giant rats with wings.  And the smell that they emit when you try to pluck or skin them is unbearable.  Fun to hunt, not fit to eat.

 

As for the aggressive behavior, what prior posters have indicated is accurate.  They can get very defensive in the spring when they're defending a territory/nest and even more so when they have goslings.  Keep your distance.  The adults will usually start making a lot of noise if you're too close.  Both my brother and I have been attacked when we were younger and got too close to a nest.  I've seen them defend their goslings against some pretty mean predators too including mink, otter, and stray cats (and every time the geese won).  In the fall after we've injured one while hunting, I've seen them take on a full size 80 pound labrador retriever which was quite the spectacle.

A goose certainly does not replace your Christmas Turkey.

To avoid wasting them, we remove the breast and have the local butcher make jerky.

You would be surprised what a lot of spices and dehydration can do!

Honestly, still not the greatest but tolerable.

[Gundog]

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

You ain't seen nuthin till you've had to deal with a full grown swan.  Had one get in the boat with me and it was quite the battle.  

You should stay away from their lake! 

Swan Lake...get it 

[TnRiver46]

8 hours ago, Burros said:

Do geese taste any good though?

I grilled one very rare and it was good. Also burgers mixed with hog or beef is really good 

[NYWayfarer]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

If they do charge you, a good boot or swat will change their mind really quick. 

I have only had one charge me at a local pond once, glad I was holding a rod. A quick whip crack to it's neck made it retreat. Not to hard as I didn't want to damage my rod, or the Gander (in that order)

 

At work is a different story. We have a drainage pond next to our building which Geese flock to. They poop everywhere and people track it into the office on the bottom of their nice shoes. I shoo any Geese I see close to the doors away. Plenty of times the Ganders will display, hiss and charge.

 

My briefcase comes in handy then.  Makes me feel like one of those wrestlers that won the Money in the Bank pay per view.

[fishwizzard]

Are farmed geese any better?  They were such a common food item back in the day, I have always wanted to try one.  

 

 

[Scorcher214]

Never had an issue from the bank. When they have babies I give them a good 20-25 yards of space. More if they start taking a more aggressive stance. BUT In front of my work there is a geese couple that built a nest in the wood chips. We've had a problem with them attacking people and last week I drove my motorcycle to work....the goose flew at me from across the parking lot and t boned me while leaving. I was fine, didnt drop the bike, just a glancing blow. The next morning I rode in too. I went nice and slow trying look out for Mr Goose. As I pull in I don't see him, THEN WHACK WHACK HONK HONK WHACK HONK. He sneak attacked me from behind!