Resident Canada Geese and Urban White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

Two animals of special significance in urban and suburban America are the resident giant Canada goose (Branta sp) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This chapter attempts to reduce the complexities of the issues by highlighting the principal components involved in the management of these two species. The four different approaches to geese and deer management in urban communities include avoiding the problem, getting at the root cause, attacking the symptoms, and doing nothing. A national assessment of human/white-tailed deer and Canada geese conflicts revealed how pervasive these problems are in urban America. The key to understanding the ecological impacts of resident Canada geese and urban white-tailed deer is to consider effects on habitat when a species approaches or exceeds the carrying capacity. The identification of the specific problem associated with resident Canada geese and urban white-tailed deer management guided by the goals and objectives leads to the selection of a specific management strategy.