Geese in Meredith

4Fun · 08-13-2014, 04:53 PM

I saw a raft this weekend with a motion sensor water sprayer. I looked it up and there are several out there that are battery powered or just conenct to a garden hose.

Not great for a public park but for a private area it would be great.

SteveA · 08-13-2014, 07:17 PM

The father of a former boyfriend my daughter had many years ago invented this:

http://www.wildgoosechasers.com/flig...-repellent.php

.. sold it to golf courses all over the Northeast and became a very wealthy man!

ApS · 08-20-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

The father of a former boyfriend my daughter had many years ago invented this:

http://www.wildgoosechasers.com/flig...-repellent.php

.. sold it to golf courses all over the Northeast and became a very wealthy man!

Chasing geese isn't the answer.

What do golf courses and Hesky Park have in common?

Yup, expansive/expensive lawns.

My neighbors and I don't have geese problems, because we let mother nature keep up our yard appearance. There's no point in spending money to have a "perfect lawn", which draws geese; instead, spend $$$—once—for a yard of spreading Juniper or Yew.

garysanfran · 08-25-2014, 12:49 AM

It seems the problem has, at least, been recognized. Blue herons?

http://www.wmur.com/escape-outside/m...e=true#!bJFOvA

wifi · 08-25-2014, 03:10 AM

Leave it to channel 9 to screw up a simple picture of plentiful geese at Hesky Park....

upthesaukee · 08-25-2014, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wifi

Leave it to channel 9 to screw up a simple picture of plentiful geese at Hesky Park....

You're right...they are horrible...but they are all ours!!!!

VitaBene · 08-25-2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApS

Chasing geese isn't the answer.

What do golf courses and Hesky Park have in common?

Yup, expansive/expensive lawns.

My neighbors and I don't have geese problems, because we let mother nature keep up our yard appearance. There's no point in spending money to have a "perfect lawn", which draws geese; instead, spend $$$—once—for a yard of spreading Juniper or Yew.

Sure if you want to spend the summer weeding

jeffk · 08-25-2014, 10:22 AM

Are we not supposed to be having these types of lawns anyway because of fertilizer run off into the lakes?

aquabones · 08-26-2014, 05:20 AM

If there was sand instead of grass, would that deter the geese.

fatlazyless · 08-28-2014, 12:09 PM

Just noticed two large, life-sized, white swan decoys floating close to the shoreline at the Inn at Church Point in Meredith Bay. Probably, in my opinion, placed there and apparently tied unseen at anchor on the water and very, very lifelike in appearance ..... by the Inn at Church Point to scare off the canada geese......like what else could they be doing there.....maybe just for looks....who knows? ....... but probably to scare away the geese.....? Seems appropriate too for a wedding venue......two large white swans!

TiltonBB · 08-31-2014, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Just noticed two large, life-sized, white swan decoys floating close to the shoreline at the Inn at Church Point in Meredith Bay. Probably, in my opinion, placed there and apparently tied unseen at anchor on the water and very, very lifelike in appearance ..... by the Inn at Church Point to scare off the canada geese......like what else could they be doing there.....maybe just for looks....who knows? ....... but probably to scare away the geese.....? Seems appropriate too for a wedding venue......two large white swans!

Is that the same place as Church Landing?

Grant · 09-08-2014, 01:32 PM

Get rid of them now. It'll be too late before you know it, and the Lake will be trashed.

I've ranted enough on this forum about what geese can do (and have done, down here in Pennsylvania). They reproduce almost as prolifically as they produce those noxious green tootsie-rolls that will spell the end of Winni water quality.

Good luck.

feb · 09-08-2014, 02:00 PM

As someone predicted, the geese are already sensitized to the coyotes. I had a big laugh when I drove by on Saturday only to see the geese completely surrounding one of the coyotes, munching on the grass around it, enjoying the nice day. The coyote is the one who looked scared...

tis · 09-08-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feb

As someone predicted, the geese are already sensitized to the coyotes. I had a big laugh when I drove by on Saturday only to see the geese completely surrounding one of the coyotes, munching on the grass around it, enjoying the nice day. The coyote is the one who looked scared...

Yep this was my previous post:

It didn't work for me. I only bought one coyote but it didn't bother them. They look at all these things at first and then could care.

I am glad I am not the only one the coyote didn't work for.

aquabones · 09-09-2014, 06:03 PM

Isn't there an agency that could address the health issue of having this many geese in Meredith? Or isn't the DES concerned about the lake being affected by these geese?

tis · 09-09-2014, 06:19 PM

Apparently no one is concerned, aqua. I would think they would be.

secondcurve · 09-10-2014, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquabones

Isn't there an agency that could address the health issue of having this many geese in Meredith? Or isn't the DES concerned about the lake being affected by these geese?

The towns people will get there but the situation has to get worse, much worse before reason trumps emotion (the geese are so cute, etc.). Only then will the town apply for a special permit to whack a bunch of the offenders. I think the great goose hunt will occur in 2016, maybe 2017.

aquabones · 09-10-2014, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

The towns people will get there but the situation has to get worse, much worse before reason trumps emotion (the geese are so cute, etc.). Only then will the town apply for a special permit to whack a bunch of the offenders. I think the great goose hunt will occur in 2016, maybe 2017.

The geese might make a nice Christmas dinner.

aquabones · 09-10-2014, 06:26 AM

I read that the oldest known wild Canada Goose was 30 years 4 months old.
If no one does something about the Meredith geese, we may have them around for a long time!!

Onshore · 09-10-2014, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquabones

Isn't there an agency that could address the health issue of having this many geese in Meredith? Or isn't the DES concerned about the lake being affected by these geese?

DES is concerned about this issue which is why we greatly discourage the planting of lawns immediately adjacent to the water; it is prime goose habitat. It would seem to make more sense to plant the water's edge with shrubs that make the geese feel unsafe than it would be to pay someone, or more ironically a governmental agency, to come and remove the geese.

By the way, I believe goose season is currently open.

dpg · 09-10-2014, 11:58 AM

Had my dog there in Meredith this summer and I had all I could do to keep him from pulling me into the lake trying to get at them. He scooted them all back into the water in no time at all. I'll ask him how much he'd want an hour for summer employment.

secondcurve · 09-10-2014, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore things

DES is concerned about this issue which is why we greatly discourage the planting of lawns immediately adjacent to the water; it is prime goose habitat. It would seem to make more sense to plant the water's edge with shrubs that make the geese feel unsafe than it would be to pay someone, or more ironically a governmental agency, to come and remove the geese.

By the way, I believe goose season is currently open.

Not planting lawns would have been a good solution if enforced 40-50 years ago. Unfortunately, the lawns aren't going away nor are the geese. The answer to the problem is the town of Meredith needs to apply for a special permit to reduce the flock of resident geese to a sustainable level. As I noted above, this will happen in the next couple of years after the general public's frustration with the problem overpowers the fringe group of extreme environmentalists who typically block logical solutions.

Merrymeeting · 09-10-2014, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Not planting lawns would have been a good solution if enforced 40-50 years ago. Unfortunately, the lawns aren't going away

Why not?

When I bought my place, there was minimal vegetation on the shoreline. Over time, we've been able to encourage the blueberry bushes to take over along the shore. Not only is it natural and looks good, it keeps the geese away!

secondcurve · 09-10-2014, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

Why not?

When I bought my place, there was minimal vegetation on the shoreline. Over time, we've been able to encourage the blueberry bushes to take over along the shore. Not only is it natural and looks good, it keeps the geese away!

Merrymeeting thank you for returning your property to its natural state. I maintain my shore front in the same manner. Unfortunately, I think it is unrealistic to think enough property owners would be willing to do the same to force the geese out. We need to embrace a more realistic solution such as a special permit to reduce the flock.

Onshore · 09-11-2014, 08:42 AM

In keeping with Mr. Barnum's oberservation about fools and their money I think there is a great business opportunity here. How about starting a company that specializes in landscape and game management. You could get paid to plant and mow the grass and then get paid to remove the nuisance geese.

chipj29 · 08-14-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Fun

I saw a raft this weekend with a motion sensor water sprayer. I looked it up and there are several out there that are battery powered or just conenct to a garden hose.

Not great for a public park but for a private area it would be great.

I bought one of those online a couple years ago to deter skunks in my yard. It worked awesome.

tis · 08-14-2014, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

I bought one of those online a couple years ago to deter skunks in my yard. It eworked awesome.

I had two of them and they didn't work.

hilltopper · 08-19-2014, 02:47 PM

Apparently Meredith is going to try the coyote decoy approach, moving them around often. We'll see, but I'm not hopeful.

HellRaZoR004 · 08-19-2014, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilltopper

Apparently Meredith is going to try the coyote decoy approach, moving them around often. We'll see, but I'm not hopeful.

Doesn't work here in Hudson.

BroadHopper · 08-19-2014, 04:55 PM

Being migratory animals the birds are pretty much protected until all nations agree that the birds are a PITA. It would not surprise me the southern neighbors sell the poops back to us fertilizer!

tis · 08-19-2014, 05:19 PM

It didn't work for me. I only bought one coyote but it didn't bother them. They look at all these things at first and then could care.

secondcurve · 08-20-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

It didn't work for me. I only bought one coyote but it didn't bother them. They look at all these things at first and then could care.

I'll say it one more time. The only way to improve the situation is to reduce the number of geese. Scaring them from one property to the other and back again does absolutely nothing. Even the folks who love fuzzy little birds will be reaching their breaking points soon. These devilish creatures must be controlled in a humane fashion before things will improve.

Merrymeeting · 08-20-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

I'll say it one more time. The only way to improve the situation is to reduce the number of geese. Scaring them from one property to the other and back again does absolutely nothing. Even the folks who love fuzzy little birds will be reaching their breaking points soon. These devilish creatures must be controlled in a humane fashion before things will improve.

And I'll say it one more time...reduce the grass! Not natural as lake shoreline vegetation, and the geese love it!

(Though I also agree, don't understand why they are still a "protected" species)

chipj29 · 08-20-2014, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilltopper

Apparently Meredith is going to try the coyote decoy approach, moving them around often. We'll see, but I'm not hopeful.

We had 3 or 4 of them next to the small pond where I used to work. The decoys worked for a day or 2. After that the geese paid no attention to them.

08-13-2014, 04:53 PM	#1
4Fun Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 283 Thanks: 1 Thanked 66 Times in 38 Posts	automatic sprayer I saw a raft this weekend with a motion sensor water sprayer. I looked it up and there are several out there that are battery powered or just conenct to a garden hose. Not great for a public park but for a private area it would be great.

08-13-2014, 07:17 PM	#2
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	The father of a former boyfriend my daughter had many years ago invented this: http://www.wildgoosechasers.com/flig...-repellent.php .. sold it to golf courses all over the Northeast and became a very wealthy man! __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

08-25-2014, 12:49 AM	#4
garysanfran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco/Meredith Posts: 1,593 Thanks: 686 Thanked 684 Times in 350 Posts	Strange that the photo doesn't seem to fit the story...but... It seems the problem has, at least, been recognized. Blue herons? http://www.wmur.com/escape-outside/m...e=true#!bJFOvA __________________ Gary ~~~~_/) ~~~ ~~~~~~~~

08-28-2014, 12:09 PM	#10
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,929 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 307 Thanked 1,056 Times in 769 Posts	Just noticed two large, life-sized, white swan decoys floating close to the shoreline at the Inn at Church Point in Meredith Bay. Probably, in my opinion, placed there and apparently tied unseen at anchor on the water and very, very lifelike in appearance ..... by the Inn at Church Point to scare off the canada geese......like what else could they be doing there.....maybe just for looks....who knows? ....... but probably to scare away the geese.....? Seems appropriate too for a wedding venue......two large white swans! __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

09-08-2014, 01:32 PM	#12
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 385 Thanked 232 Times in 126 Posts	Get rid of them now. It'll be too late before you know it, and the Lake will be trashed. I've ranted enough on this forum about what geese can do (and have done, down here in Pennsylvania). They reproduce almost as prolifically as they produce those noxious green tootsie-rolls that will spell the end of Winni water quality. Good luck. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

08-25-2014, 03:10 AM	#5
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Leave it to channel 9 to screw up a simple picture of plentiful geese at Hesky Park....

The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post:
tis (08-25-2014)

08-25-2014, 10:22 AM	#8
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,191 Thanks: 210 Thanked 460 Times in 263 Posts	Are we not supposed to be having these types of lawns anyway because of fertilizer run off into the lakes?

08-26-2014, 05:20 AM	#9
aquabones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 74 Thanks: 53 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	If there was sand instead of grass, would that deter the geese.

The Following User Says Thank You to Grant For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (09-10-2014)

09-08-2014, 02:00 PM	#13
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 216 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	As predicted As someone predicted, the geese are already sensitized to the coyotes. I had a big laugh when I drove by on Saturday only to see the geese completely surrounding one of the coyotes, munching on the grass around it, enjoying the nice day. The coyote is the one who looked scared...

09-09-2014, 06:03 PM	#15
aquabones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 74 Thanks: 53 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Isn't there an agency that could address the health issue of having this many geese in Meredith? Or isn't the DES concerned about the lake being affected by these geese?

09-09-2014, 06:19 PM	#16
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	Apparently no one is concerned, aqua. I would think they would be.

09-10-2014, 06:26 AM	#19
aquabones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 74 Thanks: 53 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	I read that the oldest known wild Canada Goose was 30 years 4 months old. If no one does something about the Meredith geese, we may have them around for a long time!!

09-10-2014, 11:58 AM	#21
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,619 Thanks: 157 Thanked 235 Times in 172 Posts	Had my dog there in Meredith this summer and I had all I could do to keep him from pulling me into the lake trying to get at them. He scooted them all back into the water in no time at all. I'll ask him how much he'd want an hour for summer employment.

09-11-2014, 08:42 AM	#25
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 505 Thanks: 12 Thanked 428 Times in 147 Posts	In keeping with Mr. Barnum's oberservation about fools and their money I think there is a great business opportunity here. How about starting a company that specializes in landscape and game management. You could get paid to plant and mow the grass and then get paid to remove the nuisance geese.

The Following User Says Thank You to tis For This Useful Post:
trfour (08-14-2014)

08-19-2014, 02:47 PM	#28
hilltopper Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 727 Thanks: 25 Thanked 109 Times in 70 Posts	Apparently Meredith is going to try the coyote decoy approach, moving them around often. We'll see, but I'm not hopeful.

08-19-2014, 04:55 PM	#30
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,615 Thanks: 3,245 Thanked 1,115 Times in 801 Posts	International Politics Being migratory animals the birds are pretty much protected until all nations agree that the birds are a PITA. It would not surprise me the southern neighbors sell the poops back to us fertilizer! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-19-2014, 05:19 PM	#31
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	It didn't work for me. I only bought one coyote but it didn't bother them. They look at all these things at first and then could care.