Asked by: Leia Borlinghaus
pets birds

Can you shoot Canada geese in Massachusetts?

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Canada geese are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This act states that it is unlawful to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds. However, many populations of Canada geese have become non-migratory.


Likewise, people ask, can you kill Canada geese in Massachusetts?

It is illegal to destroy eggs of most bird species, including Canada geese. You can apply for a special permit to addle eggs or destroy geese nests on your property (application to apply for a permit can be found below).

Furthermore, can you shoot a goose in the water? There is nothing "illegal" about shooting a "sitting" duck or goose whether it be on the water or ground. Some say it's not sporting that waterfowl hunting is a wing-shooting sport. I say take the most lethal/ethical shot you can.

is it legal to shoot geese on your property?

Harassment techniques are used to frighten and discourage geese from using your property. They are non-lethal and it is legal to harass Canada geese without a federal or state permit as long as they are not injured, touched or handled by a person or a dog.

How do you keep Canadian geese away?

5 Tips to Keep Canada Geese off Your Property

  1. Don't feel the need to feed. Throwing out bread for birds to eat is a popular practice, but you should resist the urge to do so.
  2. Build a barrier. Geese tend to land on the water and then swim to shore.
  3. Scare them straight (away from your home).
  4. Catch and release elsewhere.
  5. Aim and fire.

Related Question Answers

Kasper Schmaljohann

Professional

Is it illegal to hunt geese with more than 3 shells?

You cannot hunt migratory game birds with a shotgun that can hold more than three shells, unless you plug it with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.

Bertino Karadzic

Professional

How far can a Canadian goose fly in one day?

1,500 miles

Alesander Tzarkov

Professional

Do you need a license to duck hunt?

If you hunt migratory waterfowl and you are 16 years of age or older, you are required to purchase and carry a current Federal Duck Stamp or E-Stamp. There is no need to buy additional Federal Duck Stamps for each state; however, you must have appropriate state licenses and stamps for each state in which you hunt.

Jianjing Susulupe

Explainer

Do Canadian geese mate for life?

They are monogamous, and most couples stay together all of their lives. If one dies, the other may find a new mate.

Wael Charlo

Explainer

Where do Canada geese nest?

Canada geese return to the same nesting sites every year. Their nest sites are usually located in an elevated area on an island, on top of a small hill, in bushes, or in a raised area around a lake.

Jerrie Villis

Explainer

Is goose hunting season?

Snow goose seasons include both the regular hunting season and the Conservation Order that runs from January 16 - April 15 in all zones (except Long Island).

Landon Greciano

Pundit

What are the hunting seasons in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Deer Seasons
Shotgun Dec. 2-14
Primitive Firearms Dec. 16-31
Youth Hunt Sept. 28
Paraplegic Hunt Oct. 31-Nov. 2

Leonid Grout

Pundit

When can you hunt geese?

Canada geese may be legally shot during the open season (1 September to 31 January, or 20 February inclusive on the foreshore), or under a general licence, by authorised persons (see 'The protected status of wild Canada geese' section of this leaflet).

Fengyun Venturini

Pundit

How do you protect yourself from geese?

So here are some surefire methods to keep yourself safe from the nation's biggest threat:
  1. Avoid paddling into their territory on the lake.
  2. Or walking in an area where they are nesting.
  3. Don't act hostile or show fear.
  4. Maintain direct eye contact and keep your chest and face pointed at the goose.

Abdenacer Presas

Pundit

What is the fine for killing a Canadian goose?

Arnprior man fined $1,100 for killing Canada goose from inside his car. An Arnprior man has been fined $1,100 after pleading guilty to killing a Canada goose by shooting it with a rifle from inside his car.

Yamandu El Amrani

Pundit

Can I kill a goose if it attacks me?

You may severely injure or kill it. If you're very nimble, you can grab them by the beak without causing them harm, and this will generally cause them to want to flee, but geese are more respectful of the threat of harm than of actual harm.

Weifeng Quiminigal

Teacher

Can you eat Canadian geese?

Their meat is lean and does not lend itself to roasting. Larsen slices open these fall birds and pops out their breast meat. And not only are the birds good to eat—they are also fun to hunt. Because of their flâneur-like loitering, a Canada Goose might seem an easy snatch, but it takes skill to nab one.

Vicenta Fedotov

Teacher

What to do if a goose chases you?

What can you do if a geese attacks you?
  1. Stare down your attacker.
  2. Slowly back away.
  3. Do not act hostile, remain neutral in your demeanor.
  4. If the goose flies towards your face, duck or move away at a 90 degree angle to the direction of the flight still facing the attacking goose.

Corrina Blasi

Teacher

Are geese smart?

The goose is one of the most intelligent birds. It has a good memory and does not forget people, animals or situations easily which is what makes it such a good watch animal against intruders whether human or animal. The goose, of all poultry species, is a bird used for multipurpose production.

Weibin Nuñez De Arenas

Teacher

What will scare geese away?

The most effective way to scare geese away is with trained goose-herding dogs. Herding dogs convince geese they are not safe from predators. This should only be done by specially trained dogs working with a handler. Dogs handled properly put geese in flight and the geese leave an area entirely.

Marcelene Staindl

Reviewer

Why is hitting geese illegal?

Canada geese are a federally protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to harm or kill these birds. Supplemental feeding can make geese dependent on humans, lead to greater aggression between geese, and increase the spread of wildlife transmitted diseases.

Merari Mahnenko

Reviewer

Will an air horn scare geese?

Geese can be scared off by the regular use of equipment, ATVs, tractors, leaf blowers and air horns. Just be sure not to use the same one all the time. Distress calls have also been used with some success, but work best when they are used with a visual deterrent or predator decoy.

Erwin Pilet

Reviewer

Do you need decoys to hunt geese?

It is absolutely possible to hunt geese without decoys if you are in the right spot and you are well concealed. In most cases it will likely improve your changes by adding some decoys to your hunting location but if you do not have immediate access to decoys then you certianly can give these techniques a try.

Lorelei Zokou

Supporter

Can geese fly at night?

DEAR NICOLE: Although we think of birds as roosting during the night, Canada geese do fly at night, especially during the migration. Although they don't have the night vision of a cat, their ability to see in the dark is 12 times greater than ours.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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3rd January, 2020

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