Goose management

Goose management

At the Broadmoor, our wide-open fairways and scenic water features provide not only a great golf experience, but ideal Canada goose habitat. As a result, we have a large population of Canada geese that make the golf course their home every summer. This can result in damage to the playing surface, unpleasant waste, and harm to geese from accidental ball strikes. 

The Broadmoor supports co-existence with geese, but we are also committed to minimizing and preventing negative interactions with geese on course. In order to achieve long term goose management, the Broadmoor has developed an integrated management plan which includes: 

• Population monitoring – County biologists regularly check the golf course for nests and geese numbers to understand the long-term trends 

• Naturalizing shorelines – shoreline areas along water features have been left to naturalize to discourage geese from walking onto fairways and greens to feed. This also helps improve water quality and restore environmental integrity 

• Planting vegetative barriers – some areas of shoreline have been intentionally planted with native shrubs to create a physical barrier to deter geese 

• Decoy deterrents – decoy deterrents are moved daily around the course to keep the geese away from certain areas 

Can the geese be relocated to a different area? 

Geese, eggs and nests cannot be relocated, except in very rare circumstances. Relocation is also a short-term strategy, which is why we have adopted an integrated management plan. 

Geese are protected by the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and the provincial Wildlife Act. It is prohibited by law to harm these birds, or to disturb or destroy their eggs or nests, except under specified conditions, such as hunting season and areas, or where there is a significant risk to public safety. 

What can golfers do to help? 

• Do not feed them – The feeding of all wildlife in parks is prohibited through the Parks Bylaw 21-2013. Feeding wild animals can make them bolder and more aggressive towards humans. 

• Give them space - Geese may show aggression by hissing, spitting or flapping their wings. If you are approached by or hissed at by a goose, back away, as they may also bite. Give them lots of space when passing them. 

• If you encounter an injured or dead goose please contact the ProShop at 780-467-7373