Resident Canada Goose Control Information
Homeowners and Property Managers
If you are a homeowner or property manager experiencing problems with Canada geese, you can
obtain a free permit to destroy nests and/or treat eggs on your property. Simply register on-line
with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at
https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx. You must register prior to destroying nests or eggs.
Considerable flexibility is allowed regarding who can do the nest and egg work on which types
of properties; check the “Frequently Asked Questions” tab on this web site for further
information. You can obtain detailed information on how to destroy nests and/or treat eggs on
this web site by clicking on the “Management of Canada goose nesting” tab. Nests and eggs may
be taken at any time. You must return to the web site by October 31, to report the number of
nests and eggs destroyed, even if none were destroyed that year.
A federal depredation permit can be issued for the lethal control of Canada geese that are causing
damage to property, such as lawns or beaches. The application for a federal depredation permit
can be downloaded from www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-13.pdf. For more information on applying
for federal depredation permits issued to control geese that are causing property damage contact
the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services section at 908-735-5654.
Airports
In order to resolve or prevent hazards caused by geese, airports may employ the following
control methods: nest and egg destruction, gosling and adult trapping and culling programs, and
other lethal or non-lethal control strategies. Permits issued by the USFWS will continue to be
required for airports wishing to control geese throughout the year. Nests and eggs may be
destroyed at any time by registering at https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx. Permits may
be issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife for lethal control employed between April 1 and
September 15. Only shotguns with nontoxic shot may be used..
Farmers
Farmers and their employees, who are actively farming may control geese by destroying nests
and/or eggs, by trapping and killing geese, or with other lethal and nonlethal wildlife –damage
management strategies, when the geese are causing damage to agricultural crops, and to prevent
damage to agricultural crops. Geese may be taken only on land which the farmer personally
controls and where geese are causing damage to agricultural crops. Only shotguns with nontoxic
shot may be used. Nests and eggs may be destroyed at any time by registering at
https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx.
A federal depredation permit can be issued for the lethal control of Canada geese that are causing
damage to farm crops. The application for a federal depredation permit can be downloaded from
www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-13.pdf. For more information on applying for federal depredation
permits issued to control geese that are causing crop damage contact the United States
Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services section at 908-735-5654
The state Division of Fish and Wildlife may issue a free permit to farmers for the lethal control
of geese between April 1 and August 31. The permit must be obtained prior to implementing any
control program. Contact Anthony McBride at 908-735-8793 or tony.mcbride@dep.nj.us for
more information.
Lake Communities
Municipalities, lake associations and county parks may apply to the Division of Fish and
Wildlife for a permit to control Canada goose when the geese are causing a direct threat to
human health in lakes or ponds that are used for swimming. The permit applicant must submit a
letter from the state, county or local health department stating that Canada geese are causing the
health threat by creating conditions conducive to the transmission of pathogens. The permit
applicant must describe the control method to be used, the agent carrying out the control method,
agent qualifications and method of disposal or donation of geese. Control techniques may be
employed April 1 – August 31. Culled geese may be by donated to museums or public
institutions for scientific or educational purposes, processed for human consumption and
subsequent distribution free of charge to charitable organizations, or buried or incinerated.
Euthanasia must be by means approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association
Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional assistance contact Lisa Clark at
Lisa.Clark@njdepwptest.net or 609-508-3760.