Yearly approach only way to control geese

These resident geese that flock, eat, breed and everything else around the ponds in Ocean Pines are like a recurring case of heartburn for which there is no permanent or easy cure.

Although the majestic Canada goose can be an inspiring sight, especially when is one standing watch over the flock like an imperial sentry, the ground around and beneath them is considerably less than inspirational for anyone foolish enough to try to walk among them.

Geese can be aggressive and, as everyone knows, seriously messy, which is why Ocean Pines residents and various officials over the years have tried and failed to eliminate them as humanely as possible.

There’s apparently no such thing, however, as a one-time solution, humane or otherwise, that will remedy the situation completely and keep most people happy.

Probably the only means of halting this goose infestation is simply to take away the open grazing and nesting space by letting the grounds around the ponds to go natural, as in allowing untamed tangles of bushes, weeds and briars to grow as they normally would.

All that underbrush, however, would keep just about everyone away, thus solving one problem by creating another.

According to the Humane Society’s Canada Goose Toolkit, co-existing with geese involves a never-ending approach that includes curtailing reproduction via egg addling, harassing or scaring geese (harmlessly) before nesting season and right after geese gain their first flight feathers, and reducing the amount of open lawn by allowing other plants to grow.

This must be done every year until most of the remaining resident population decides there are more suitable places elsewhere to eat and breed.

It’s either that, or letting the grounds go wild. Otherwise, as the Humane Society says, “Even if it were desirable, it’s not possible to eliminate geese from a community.”