Week 13 - Geese

Question 1

Geese Biology

Answer 1

habitat requires water and open space

monogamous, relatively long-lived

herbivores

Question 1

Geese and Estuaries

Answer 1

11 sub-species across Canada, 5 sub-species in BC

Branta canadensis fulva; B. c. fulva - original native CAGO n BC

Question 2

BC history with Geese

Answer 2

Early introductions of B. c. moffitti (and likely other subspecies) occurred on southern Van Island in 1920s (Cowichan and Saanich areas)

In the early 1970s, hundreds of non-native were introduced, hybrid subspecies were introduced across Vancouver island and Lower mainland.

Wildlife spectacles - increase wildlife viewing opportunities

Introductions have led to at least 15,000 resident Canada geese on the east cost of Van island

7.2% population growth per year

Question 3

Why are these so many CAGO?

Answer 3

native forest have been replaced by croplands and urban areas that provide geese practically unlimited amounts of two critical habitat requirements: water and open space

mammalian predators have been reduced

limitless supply of food (sedges and rushes)

given an unlimited supply of food and little predation pressure, they are capable of explosive growth

Question 4

How are CAGOs protected by law?

Answer 4

protected under Migratory Birds Convention Act 1994

MBCA recognizes there are times when the damage or danger caused by birds must be addressed

MBCA provides tools - available under a permit - for dealing with situations where birds come into conflict with humans

Federal government – Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) within Environment Canada

Question 5

Federal Government Roles

Answer 5

Responsible for issuance of permits when geese are causing damage or danger

Lead population monitoring and science

Lead advice and information (outreach)

Question 6

Two key changes to MCBA in 2022

Answer 6

1. Related to Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
   - Hunting and harvesting
   21 (1) An individual exercising a right recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, regarding aboriginal and treaty rights to hunt migratory birds and harvest their eggs may exercise those rights without a permit and without being subject to a limit as to open seasons, a daily bag limit or a possession limit.
2. Charity permit
   82 (1) A holder of a charity permit and any person nominated on the permit in accordance with subsection (2) may, subject to the conditions of the permit, serve preserved migratory game birds and murres at a charitable fundraising event related to migratory bird conservation or a soup kitchen, or give them to the clients of a food bank.

Question 7

Provincial Government Roles

Answer 7

Assist in providing advice

Cooperative enforcement of hunting regulations

Assist in population monitoring/science

Participate in the approval of relocation sites

Question 8

Municipal Government Roles

Answer 8

Influence behaviour of citizens (outreach and bylaws), e.g. stop feeding geese

Allow hunting wherever safe

Habitat design & modification

Land use decisions and plans

Goose Management Plans

Question 9

Salinities

Answer 9

mean interstitial soil salinities from the Carex channel edge community in 1978 were approximately 4.4%

in 2005, mean interstitial soil salinity in the exposed sandy soils from the same community was 14.8 %

in exposed organic soils of the same community, adjacent to the dendritic channels in the main marsh, the mean interstitial soil salinity was 22.1%

Question 10

Management Options

Answer 10

Options to deal with the over-abundance of Canada Geese:
 Hunting
 Permits
 Science permit
 Damage/Danger permit
 New MBCA Regulations (July 2022) allow greater opportunity for Indigenous harvesting, as well as consumption of birds harvested under a Damage/Danger permit
 Education
Habitat modification - to a type that Canadian geese do not use or exclusions
Hazing - Scaring birds from the area when they first arrive
Hunting
Culls
Egg addling