Victory! This alert made a difference for animals! Learn more.

Michigan's geese are under threat. Across the state, permits are being applied for in order to authorize the mass killing of geese, with entire flocks rounded up and gassed in a cruel and unnecessary attempt to reduce their numbers.

Michigan's geese are being scapegoated for human-caused environmental issues, despite the availability of humane, non-lethal solutions. With the May 16, 2025, deadline for residents to apply for goose gassing permits fast approaching, now is the time to act. Contact key officials to demand science-based, non-lethal solutions over mass killings, and attend the April 10th Natural Resources Commission Meeting in Lansing to make your voice heard.
 

Decisions about Michigan's wildlife should not be left to a handful of lakefront homeowners with a vested interest in exterminating geese for convenience. The broader community deserves a say in how these situations are handled.

Michigan's geese are being systematically targeted based on misleading claims, while the real threats to waterways — agricultural runoff, septic failures, and pollution—go ignored. Mass culls (killings) ignore these root causes while inflicting suffering on animals who are merely trying to exist in their natural habitats.

The methods used to kill geese are both inhumane and irresponsible. Entire families are captured and painfully gassed to death. To make matters worse, the discarded bodies of these birds are thrown into landfills, raising concerns about the potential spread of disease, particularly bird influenza. If geese were truly a health risk, their carcasses would not be disposed of in a manner that allows scavengers to spread the virus further.

Michiganders have the power to stand up for geese and demand ethical, non-lethal management solutions in their own communities. Humane deterrents, such as habitat modification and hazing, are not only effective but also sustainable long-term solutions. Join us in raising your voice against these cruel and unnecessary killings.

You can also explore our goose resources for communities and decision-makers to learn more about how you can advocate for non-lethal solutions. The geese of Michigan deserve our protection. Speak up to ensure that they receive it. Let's make sure they get it.

In March, we hosted a virtual panel discussion for Michigan residents with experts on water quality and non-lethal goose mitigation. Please watch and share the replay, along with these helpful resources, so you can advocate for geese with confidence.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Oppose Mass Gassing of Geese in Michigan

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed mass gassing of geese in Michigan. Across the state, permits are being applied to authorize the gassing of entire flocks in a cruel and unnecessary attempt to reduce their numbers. Geese are being scapegoated for human-caused environmental issues despite the availability of humane, non-lethal alternatives.

These methods of killing are inhumane and ineffective. Entire families of geese are being captured and painfully gassed, all while the real threats to Michigan’s waterways — agricultural runoff, septic system failures, and pollution — are ignored. The methods of mass killing inflict unnecessary suffering on these animals and fail to address the root causes of human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, the discarded bodies of these geese are being thrown into landfills, potentially spreading bird flu and other diseases. If geese were truly a health risk, such disposal methods would not be permitted, yet this continues without consideration for the broader environmental consequences.

The current proposals would give lakefront homeowners disproportionate influence over decisions impacting wildlife, prioritizing their convenience over the well-being of the broader community and the environment. Biodiversity and the health of our ecosystems are concerns that extend far beyond the interests of a few property owners.

There is no Michigan-specific scientific evidence supporting the claim that culling geese will improve water quality. In fact, scientific studies show that non-lethal methods—such as habitat modification, trained border collies, and egg addling—are more humane and sustainable long-term solutions. It is crucial that we focus on the real environmental issues, such as agricultural runoff, septic systems, and pollution, rather than targeting wildlife that has been unfairly blamed for these problems.

Furthermore, the scientific consensus on the spread of diseases like bird flu is clear: mass culling is not an effective solution. Geese, like all wildlife, should not be blamed for the spread of disease when the true risks are posed by human activities and poor management practices. During the culling of geese at Lake Sherwood last year, no proper precautions were taken, further highlighting the risk of disease transmission during these operations.

I urge you to reconsider the proposed mass culling of geese and to prioritize humane, science-based management practices that focus on non-lethal solutions. I also ask that you ensure the process is transparent and that the broader community has a meaningful role in these decisions.

In closing, I request that you not approve the permits for mass killings and instead support humane alternatives that will protect both Michigan’s geese and the integrity of our environment.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Signed

Victory! This alert made a difference for animals! Learn more.