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The Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)

 
Wildlife Information

Goose Egg Addling Permit Information

Got goose grief?!

In some areas of Massachusetts, numbers of resident Canada geese and their droppings have overwhelmed homeowners, municipal parks, golf courses and other property owners and tenants. Fencing, feeding prohibitions, hunting and other tactics should be the first efforts to vigorously pursue in preventing further problems.

In some urban situations, 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). The biggest challenge in addling eggs is finding goose nests, even in urban locations.

It's important to understand that the presence of Canada geese 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.

In order to legally addle goose eggs, a permit is required. Landowners are required to apply for a a free Egg Addling Permit from MassWildlife. An annual report must also be submitted detailing the number of nests and eggs that were addled.

For more details, go to the Egg Addling FAQs link.