Time To Die: Michigan Abandons Canadian Geese Relocation Plan

It's incredible to me, that at one time the Canadian Goose was nearly extinct. They were a protected species, and apparently whatever we did to protect them worked well... TOO well in fact. Because now, Michigan's Canadian Goose population is getting out of control, and causing a nuisance in many communities.

Initially, the state tried to offer a relocation program that would remove flocks of geese from these troublesome areas, but it just wasn't enough, I guess. So, they're taking the next logical step someone would in this situation... kill'em all.

Get our free mobile app

The State of Michigan started offering relocation services for Canadian geese a few years ago after they started landing, and flocking to areas in communities that caused problems. They would block traffic, leave "messes," and harass residents. Not to mention, geese can kind of be a health risk, occasionally causing E. coli outbreaks in popular lakes.

Sothe state did the humane thing, and attempted to relocate all of the troublesome geese. Problem is, they broke off more than they could handle, and the geese just became too much, and went right back to causing a nuisance.

(It's almost as if they were here before us at one time, but... we'll just look past that little tidbit.)

So, the State of Michigan has unveiled new plans to allow SOME (not all) lake associations, golf courses, municipalities, and other troublesome areas to hire federal crews to round up, and kill the birds.

Open season, baby!

I get the geese being a health hazard in some places, but my guess is, some of these "bothersome" behemoth birds are simply trying to live their lives, lay a clutch of eggs, and raise their young before traveling away for the winter. At most, you'd see a family of geese in your area for a few months, and then they're gone.

To straight up kill these things is... kind of extreme, it feels like. Don't get me wrong, I often refer to them as "murder chickens," because one literally took a "honk" out of my heel once while I was just walking along a walking path. I wasn't bothering him, but he sure thought I was.

But I also didn't take it personally, because he was likely protecting goslings, or eggs nearby. Fine.

We also have to remember, WE moved here, WE took over their space. Michigan is right across the border of their country-of-origin namesake, so we shouldn't be surprised there's a lot of them here.

But we also wouldn't be the first state to put such rules in effect, as many others already have "shoot to kill" orders on these geese.

There are some restrictions to the order, you can't just go out and "BLAST'EM" as Danny DeVito would say, so if you want to know more on the order, you can read about it on the Michigan.gov website.

Just keep in mind, as much as we honkin' hate these feathered furies sometimes... they WERE here first. Maybe we should be adapting to their lifestyles.