ZIPP2001

I use the bike path to get off the main raceway for a couple miles, and over the last few weeks these knuckleheads have taken it over. The path is covered with goose poop, thank goodness it wasn't wet because oh how fun it would have been.

jefnvk

Have you tried "on your left"?

2manybikes

You need to bring over a herding dog to chase them. Like the Corgi in my avatar. Or any other dog that will chase them. This will likely have them stay away for a while. Repeat as needed. A couple of times will get them away for quite a while. It's also fun to watch!

FBOATSB

Just make sure there's no witnesses Migratory waterfowl are Federally protected, even these flying vermin. Cause lots of problems. Takes a license to trap, chase with dogs, relocate, euthanize, etc. Can be very aggressive during nesting season. dangerous to little kids. Never eaten one though...

2manybikes

Thanks for bringing that up, I didn't know about them being protected. They're a huge pain on a bike path down here.

BlazingPedals

It's too bad that Canada Geese are considered migratory, because they don't migrate. Maybe they used to once upon a time. The best thing you could do for the environment is get a hunting license for them and harvest as many as you can during the season.

Every time I see them setting up shop in the grass beside my pond, I RELUCTANTLY have to mow my lawn. After enough of that, they always decide to raise this year's family somewhere quieter.

GlennR

Hit one at 20mph will take you down, so be careful.

FBOATSB

My understanding is that if you keep the grass long around ponds they will move along. I read they don't like walking through grass that rubs their bellies plus gives predators an advantage in catching the young ones. May or may not be true, I don't know. Years ago a nursing home where my Grandparents lived had to have a licensed contractor come in and do a big round up regularly around the lake.

FBinNY 

Yes, and no.

Plenty of Canada geese still migrate, but unfortunately all too many have figured out that they don't have to any more and have taken up year round residence in the USA's central latitudes.

As such, they've gone from seasonal visitors to year round pests putting the FOUL in waterfowl.

Here in Westchester, the state has tried everything , including driving them back to their normal winter of summer residences, hoping they'll resume their traditional migratory pattern, all to no avail because living here is too good to leave.

I wonder about whether non-migratory waterfowl gave up their protection when they took up full time residence, but rather than worry about that, I just do my rides, and they're smart enough to get out of my way.



l.

SylvainG

If I had to stop every time a goose was in my way, it would double my commute time. They usually stay put or move aside as you roll by them.

jefnvk

Yep. They'll sit there, some will hiss at you, but they generally are smarter than their small four legged counterparts about not running in front of you.

Gresp15C

On my commute, it's wild turkeys.

TimothyH

What about pepper spray?


-Tim-

FBOATSB

Saw a guy have to kill one once by hand. That Tom was determined to fight to the death.

2manybikes

https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1496627602

FBOATSB

Same rights as people, only if your life is in danger.

Plotone

I thought pepper spray was only effective on mammals.

WizardOfBoz

Some silhouettes in sheet steel of foxes and coyotes often have an effect.

dedhed

Season of discontent: Wisconsin authorities preparing for annual campaign to kill nuisance geese

mstateglfr 

If i find myself having to pepper spray a goose, i need to hang up the bike for good.
I cant imagine a scenario where i feel driven to stop and pepper spray a goose.
Its a goose and i am on a bike- the only way i would find myself needing to attack a goose with pepper spray when riding is if i messed with it to begin with, and i dont mean just riding past.

...to be clear...i grew up in an area that is as 'infested' as any with Canada geese, and they are all around me now too.

But hey, to each their own, i guess.
There have been a good number of animal threads this spring where hurting then is suggested. Perhaps i live in a boring place where animals of all types arent hiding behind every corner waiting to hurt me.

FBinNY 

I can't believe the fuss being made over a *&^%$# goose.

Geese don't chase bicycles, and present no threat at all, except for what may happen if you should actually run into one at speed and, of course, having to ride through their shist.

coominya

The way you slowed down and then backed up I thought there must be a bull on the path, but a couple of birds?

Maelochs

Doesn't it suck that other life forms are permitted on this planet? And on Bike Paths,. too. They don't even ride.

Once we kill all the geese we can they start killing the ladies pushing babies in strollers, and the people with dogs on extendable leashes ... and the idiots dancing in the path wearing ear-buds.

Then we can start killing the people who ride different bikes than us, then people wearing different jerseys .....

BlazingPedals

I don't mow the grass along the bank, and the 3-4 foot strip can get chest high. It doesn't stop them. They do like it mowed where they rest (and poop) during the day. There's a puddle in my pasture that they sort of gravitate to in the spring -- until they learn that the horses are curious and won't leave them alone.

Garilia

In South Florida we have a lot of Muscovy ducks that are about as big as geese (though smaller than Canadian geese). They aren't in a hurry to get out of the way of cars, let alone bikes. Although the main critter obstacle I encounter on most bike paths down here are iguanas that are over 3 feet long. Unless you're biking the tram path at Shark Valley, alligators are the main speed bump there.