Ducks, Geese, and Sand hill Cranes

Canada Geese, Branta canadensis

Damage by ducks and cranes to swathed or maturing small grain crops during the fall harvest is a serious localized problem in the northern Great Plains region (Knittle and Porter 1988). Damage occurs from direct consumption of grain and from trampling, which dislodges kernels from heads. Losses from trampling may be at least double the losses from consumption (Sugden and Goerzen 1979).

Canada and snow geese that graze on winter wheat and rye crops can reduce subsequent grain and vegetative yields (Kahl and Samson 1984, Conover 1988). Canada geese can also cause serious damage to sprouting soybeans in spring and to standing corn fields in the autumn. Canada geese have adapted to suburban environments in the past 20 years, creating nuisance problems around parks and golf courses through grazing and defecation (Conover and Chasko 1985).

Summary of Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Habitat Modification

Vertically straighten pond banks. Allow ponds to freeze in winter. Eliminate vegetation (nesting/escape cover) in and around ponds. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer use around ponds.

Exclusion

Install fence around ponds, gardens, and yards.

Install overhead grids or netting on ponds, reservoirs, and fish raceways.

Cultural Methods

Change the timing of planting and harvesting of vulnerable crops. Produce winter grains instead of spring grains.

Use grain dryers to allow earlier harvest of high-moisture grain. Plant crops uniformly in spring. Delay fall plowing as long as possible. Use less-preferred plant species in parks, cemeteries, and lawns. Plant trees and shrubs to block flight path. Provide lure crops. Field baiting.

Frightening

Flags. Mylar tape. Balloons. Scarecrows. Water spray devices. Automatic exploders. Pyrotechnics. Recorded distress calls. Dogs.

Live Capture

Walk-in funnel trap.

Rocket/cannon nets.

Spring-powered nets.

Net launchers.

Alpha-chloralose.

Repellents

None are currently registered.

Toxicants

None are currently registered.

Shooting

Hunting is the preferred method of reducing localized populations, where safe and legal.

Hunting has a strong repellent effect.

Killing under special permit is advised only in extreme situations.

Other Methods

Destruction of nests and eggs helps to slow down local population growth.