IDFG Takes Action Against Stationary Migratory Waterfowl

IDAHO FALLS - Everyone knows that the ducks and geese fly south for the winter and then head back north in the spring. That's just what migratory waterfowl are supposed to do. Unfortunately, Idaho Falls is like many communities across the nation where a population of these birds has found a comfortable niche and forgone the bother of migrating. Growing numbers of these fowl, particularly Canada geese, have resulted in a variety of problems, causing the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) to employ a variety of management options. The Canada goose could be considered an example of a conservation effort that succeeded too well. Going from extremely low numbers at the middle of the past century, they now are considered a problem in many areas. In a nationwide survey conducted in 2000 by the branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) now called Wildlife Services, it was found that Canada geese were a problem in at least 103 urban areas in 37 states. At that time, Idaho was not included among the problem states, although management of "resident" Canada goose populations has been ongoing across the state in cities like Boise, Idaho Falls, and Lewiston for over a decade. At the time of the survey, it was conservatively estimated that the total urban Canada goose population in America was nearly 300,000. The problem facing Idaho Falls is a little different than other communities. Aside from the sanitation and nuisance issues, many cities have problems with Canada Geese in relation to airport safety and in the destruction of parks and golf courses. Here in Idaho Falls, many of the geese nest and multiply around Gem Lake. These geese raid grain fields along the shores of Gem Lake and cause significant crop damage. According to Regional Landowner Sportsman Coordinator Paul Faulkner, "We have four different farmers each losing up to 20 acres of crops. That's some real money!" In the past, IDFG has taken advantage of the molting period during the summer when the adult Canada geese are getting their new feathers and cannot fly to perform a roundup of some of the local violators. The birds have are trapped in the very Ag fields where they have been causing damage. Along with the molting adults, the flightless goslings are also easy to snatch up. As in the past, the juveniles will be taken away from Idaho Falls in hopes that they will mature in a more natural setting and follow their instincts to migrate when the time comes, rather than be lured into becoming a freeloader on the green belt chasing a crust of stale bread. Because past experience with relocating adult birds has not been overly successful, IDFG received permission this year from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to trap fifty adult birds and take them to a USDA approved facility for humane slaughtering and processing into food for distribution to the needy. Such programs have taken place in Boise and elsewhere in the nation. In the 2000 survey, Wildlife Services noted that lethal removal was the only sure way to actually reduce the growing number of "resident "Canada geese. Many states reported that trapping and transplanting failed to hold population numbers in check. A current estimate by USFWS of the number of Canada geese in the United States is more than 3.2 million! The operation planned for Idaho Falls next week is a small battle in the overall war by the USWFS to reduce Canada goose populations to 2 million in the next decade. To learn more about this program contact Paul Faulkner at 208-525-7290.