FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOLTING GEESE CAN CAUSE FRUSTRATION FOR LAND OWNERS

SOCIAL CIRCLE, GA (June 8, 2016) – The Canada goose is an adaptable bird that can live in a variety of habitats, with many of those locations in close proximity to people, such as open farmland, rural reservoirs, suburban neighborhood ponds, office complexes, parks and other developed areas.  This ability to thrive sometimes leads to summertime frustration for landowners or land managers who may discover large areas of goose feathers and feces.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division asks people to be patient with geese during this time of year.

“Each summer, in late June and early July, geese go through a molting process during which they lose their flight feathers and are in the process of growing new ones,” says WRD State Waterfowl Biologist Greg Balkcom.  “We find that it is typically this time of year that the most complaints about goose feces and feathers are reported.”

So, what can you do if you have goose problems?  During most times of the year, geese can be scared away with the use of harassment techniques.  But because geese cannot fly during the molt, these techniques may not work.  During the molting season, WRD personnel encourage affected landowners and homeowners to be patient.  The new feathers will soon grow in, and the geese will regain their ability to fly and will likely move on.

However, if geese continue to cause problems, here are a few tips to try and reduce the trouble:

Harassment: Landowners who don’t want geese on their property can first try a variety of harassment techniques, including chemical repellents, mylar balloons, wire/string barriers, and noise makers.  These methods are proven to help reduce goose problems.  However, they require consistency from the property owner and are not always 100% effective.

• Relocation or Lethal Methods: Homeowners who want to reduce or eliminate the goose population on their property can obtain a permit from their local WRD Game Management office (www.georgiawildlife.com/about/contact).  This permit allows them to have geese captured and relocated to a suitable area or allows them to legally and lethally remove the animals.  The removal can be done by the homeowner or by a licensed nuisance wildlife trapper (list found atwww.georgiawildlife.com/nuisancewildlife).

It is important to remember that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Canada geese except according to Georgia’s migratory bird regulations.

For more information, visit the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/permits.  For a brochure on a variety of methods of dealing with nuisance geese, visitwww.georgiawildlife.com (Select “Hunting”, “Game Management” and “Nuisance Canada Geese”).

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THREE DNR PROPERTIES NAMED TO TAKE ME FISHING™ 2016 TOP 100 FAMILY FRIENDLY PLACES TO BOAT AND FISH IN THE U.S. LIST

 SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (June 8, 2016) — The Flat Creek Public Fishing Area, Marben Farms Public Fishing Area (Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center) and Red Top Mountain State Park have been recognized among the 2016 Top 100 Family Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in the U.S., according to Take Me Fishing™, whose Top 100 list was released leading up to National Fishing and Boating Week. In total, locations in 29 states are represented in the Top 100.

“To secure three of the top 100 fishing spots in the Nation is a great nod to our amazing resources in Georgia,” said John Biagi, chief of the Fisheries Management Section.  “We encourage new and experienced anglers to periodically seek out new fishing spots and any of these three locations would be a great place to start!”

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Take Me Fishing™ campaign initiated the nationwide vote to provide families and outdoor enthusiasts with a recommended list of the best family-friendly places to experience the joys of boating and fishing as the weather warms up around the country. Criteria for the top places to fish and boat included having a public body of water within driving distances of a major city with good fishing opportunities, and family-friendly amenities. In years past, locations featured in the Top 100 list have received significant media exposure. Last year, the campaign as a whole earned more than 138 million impressions.

“The best way to enjoy fishing and boating is to find a special place to fish with family and friends, so we’re thrilled that so many people shared their favorite place to engage in this national pastime,” said RBFF President and CEO, Frank Peterson. “If you and your family haven’t tried fishing, we hope you’re nearby one of the Top 100 spots to cast away. It’s a great way to enjoy, conserve and restore our nation’s aquatic natural resources.”

Find out more about Georgia’s named three spots:

• Flat Creek Public Fishing Area: www.georgiawildlife.com/PFA/FlatCreek
• Marben Farms Public Fishing Area: www.georgiawildlife.com/PFA/CharlieElliott
• Red Top Mountain State Park/Lake Allatoona: www.gastateparks.org/RedTopMountain

The release of Take Me Fishing’s Top 100 list kicks off the celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW), which takes place June 4-12, 2016. All are encouraged to visit their local parks and other fishing spots, perhaps even one of the Top 100, during NFBW. Here are some other ways to celebrate:

• Free Fishing Days 2016 – Most states will offer free fishing days for everyone to fish on public bodies of water without a fishing license. These days are the perfect opportunity for beginners to try fishing for the first time. June 4 and June 11 are both Free Fishing Days in Georgia.
• #ReelFun Fishing Events – Kick-off events will be hosted at more than 1,000 Walmart® stores across the U.S. June 3 – 5. All ages and skill levels are invited to learn fishing tips from expert anglers, purchase a fishing license, and test their casting skills.
• #FirstCatch – Create and capture moments fishing with family and friends, then share them with others online using #FirstCatch. #FirstCatch is Take Me Fishing’s initiative to help anglers come together and revel in the joys of fishing and boating by sharing their first fishing and boating memories – first catch of the day, first fish of the season or even the first catch of a lifetime.
• Conservation through Participation – Buying a fishinglicense and registering a boat helps fund efforts to conserve our natural waterways through projects such as fisheries research, habitat improvement, fish stocking, aquatic education and fishing and boating access facilities such as docks and boat ramps.

For additional details on National Fishing and Boating Week, including Georgia’s Free Fishing Days, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/nfbw.

 About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)

RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

For further information: Bruna Carincotte, 703-519-6917, [email protected]