We moved into our new house a couple months ago. It has a nice big inground pool in the back yard, but since the previous owner was ill last year, the pool has not been used since 2006. We have a pool company coming in a couple weeks to open it and do whatever it takes to make it fantastic for the grandkids.
Problem: A pair (male and female) of Canada Geese have taken up residence in the pool for the past two weeks. They swim around as if nothing is wrong and if I shoosh them out they’re back as soon as I’m in the house. My neighbour told me they made the pool their home last year because nobody ever went into the back yard to scare them away.
How can I gain control of my pool without having PETA picket my house?
Are Canada Geese tasty?
With a proper level of chlorine in the water, and an effort to shoo them away, you should be able to get control of the situation quickly. With proper filtering and chlorination, the small abount of feces they produce should not pose a real hazard, unless not monitored and managed.
In NY, Canadian Geese are not a protected species. Ensure that they are indeed Canadian Geese and not mallards.
With only two (for now) the situation is manageable.
You may want to try and create a safe haven for them elsewhere on the property. They are migratory birds and likely feel safe. They will try and return year after year. If one is separated fromthe other, and not transported together, they will lileky never be re-united. Often when females and their yound are relocated without a male, the offspring and female are killed by other geese.
We had a bit of a war last summer at our town pool over a mallard family in the pool and on the grounds. We had two warring factions: the Duck Squad (protectors) and the Old Bastards.
We prevailed and learned lots about mallards, geese, similarities, differences, and public health.
The problem is not the feces in the water, its the feces they leave on the pool decking and grass areas, they love eating nice green grass. Not to mention they are noisy.
Bill We do have a huge problem with the Canada’s.
These are more then likely Maxima the largest of the 11 varieties of Canada geese.
I used to raise them years ago ( permit required )
They where almost extinct many years ago and there was a push to help save them .
Now they are a huge Nuisance who do not migrate.
Javex jugs tied along a rope is the way to herd them .
Fish line tied down low over the water upsets their flying ever three feet across the pool.
Get them gone now or thet will stay for ever.
Strong line fish hook and Corn ,I am told works well ,or a box made from stove oven liners and door that swings in only,add corn inside .
Please be carefull they are strong and do bite and twist at the same time Hurts Like he77. Been there.
a little greasy for my taste in the oven, but now a slow fire on the grill with the right BBQ sauce and You may be wishing You could get another pair to fly in next year…I have also heard that the fishing line 18" off the ground/pool works great…jim
I saw the fishing line thing work quite well at Cape Canaveral. The fish line was strung at about 10 feet above the ground at irregular intervals. Kept the sh*thawks off the equipment. Tried it over my own pool last year to fend off a squadron of black birds who decided that it would be great fun to re-enact the attack on Pearl Harbour over my pool. My air defense system worked well and they laid siege to the neighbour’s pool instead.
Cooked wild rice according to package instructions (you should have about 4 cups cooked). Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Remove giblets from goose. Remove loose fat from around cavity openings. Discard or reserve for another use.
Prick skin and fat with a skewer in several places, being careful not to pierce meat.
Sprinkle goose inside and out with salt and pepper. Rub with orange zest.
Fry bacon in a skillet until crisp. Add onion, celery and parsley and sauté 5 minutes.
Stir in chestnuts, cooked rice and herbs. Season to taste with salt.
Stuff goose with this mixture. “Sew” cavity shut with skewers and cotton twine. (do not stuff goose until ready to roast).
Place goose breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast about 20 minutes per pound. (if skin begins to brown too much, cover loosely with foil.).
For those who don’t know, Marcel G. is an accomplished chef, so this recipe will be outstanding.
For those keeping score at home, the rascals woke me up this morning with their noise. Me thinks this weekend could spell the end of the goose problem. II’m sure they’ll be finger lickin’ good !!!)
I cooked a goose for Christmas dinner. My wife had never tried it, now says she agrees with me, goose beats turkey hands (or wings) down.
My father usta raise turkey’s geese and pigs. Raised all organic. Best eatin’ anywhere.