|
|
| Introduction |
| FAQs on Permit Process |
Got goose grief? In some areas of Massachusetts, numbers of resident Canada geese and their droppings have overwhelmed homeowners, municipalities, golf courses and other property owners and tenants. Fencing, feeding prohibitions, hunting and other tactics should be vigorously pursued to help prevent further problems. Egg addling is another tool that may reduce the number of goslings that hatch in a problem area. Addling is a means of preventing eggs from hatching by shaking, puncturing, oiling, or freezing eggs and returning them to the nest. Spraying or dipping the eggs in corn oil is the simplest and most often used approach. Simply breaking up the clutch of eggs is not desirable because geese often renest (lay more eggs).
In order to legally addle goose eggs, permits are required. In 2007, under new guidelines from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), it will be easier for landowners and municipalities seeking to prevent Canada geese from nesting on their property to obtain the necessary permits to "addle" eggs in such nests. The mere presence of geese alone is not a sufficient reason to acquire a permit to addle eggs; there must be a reasonable basis for addling eggs, such as property damage. Permitting is a 2 step process; landowners are required "register" with the US Fish and Wildlife Service about their intention to addle eggs and apply for a free Egg Addling Permit from MassWildlife.
This is the first year this particular process has been put into place and the permitting process will take place in a timely fashion. By next year, (2008) MassWildlife will have a process in place which will eliminate the need for landowners to register their addling activities with the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
FAQs On Obtaining Egg Addling Permits
Q: Who Can Apply for an Egg Addling Permit?
A: Landowners or tenants of the property where the goose eggs are located may apply for an Egg Addling Permit. Municipalities may apply, but may only addle eggs on municipal properties, not private land. State and federal agencies also may only addle eggs on their own properties. Lake and pond associations may not addle eggs on any property that is not owned by the association.
Q: When Do I Apply?
A: You may apply for an Egg Addling Permit at any time. However the permit is valid only for the period between March 1 and June 30 (during the goose nesting season).
Q: How do I apply?
A: This is a two step process.
1. First, all applicants are required to "register" their intention
to addle eggs with the US Fish & Wildlife Service at https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx
.
2. Applicants must then download, fill out and send in an application
for goose egg addling from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife (MassWildlife). There is no fee for this permit.
Q: Do landowners or tenants have to do the egg addling?
A: No. It is not required that landowners actually do the addling; there is an option to hire a person to do this for landowners. Some goose scaring services which use dogs, for instance, also offer egg addling as a service. The landowner must have a permit in order for the contractor to do the addling. The application must indicate who is doing the addling if it is not the landowner or tenant.
Q: Is there anything else that is required?
A: An annual report detailing the number of eggs addled and number of
nests where the activity took place will be required. Even if there were
no eggs or nests handled, a report indicating this must be filed. If a
report is not filed by the landowner in one year, and he or she files
for another addling permit in a subsequent year, the permit will not be
granted until the report is filed.
Additional Goose & Waterfowl Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterfowl--Ducks, Geese & Swans
MassWildlife works for people as well as fish & wildlife by protecting and managing habitat, providing recreation opportunities, regulating wildlife use, contributing to fish & wildlife research and supporting wildlife education and information to people of all ages and interests.
MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd Westborough MA 01581 (508) 389-6300
Questions? Comments? Email us! Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us
Date Last Updated: April 9, 2007
