How can I keep PEOPLE from hunting my geese and ducks?

[HENS-and-MARES]

I’ve got some free range geese. We live by a bay where people hunt geese and ducks quite a bit. Anyway to to prevent these guys getting caught and still have them be free range. My gander especially likes to go down to the beach a swim.

 

[Painted Calls]

Have you had problems in the past with people hunting your domestic geese? There's a big difference in game species of geese and domesticated ones. Unless someone just didn't care and was trying to be nasty, I wouldn't think someone would shoot any domestic animals. I hunt and know a lot of hunters. They know their wildlife and what they're hunting. They'd never dare shoot anyone's stock.

 

[HENS-and-MARES]

Ok, thanks. This is the first year really having geese and was worried. We have some toulouse and Sebastopol. I just wasn’t sure if one decided to take a swim too far out, and someone hunting saw it.
But we also plan to free range some Khaki Campbells. Will this be a problem?

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Give them visible collars?

 

[Painted Calls]

Ok, thanks. This is the first year really having geese and was worried. We have some toulouse and Sebastopol. I just wasn’t sure if one decided to take a swim too far out, and someone hunting saw it.
But we also plan to free range some Khaki Campbells. Will this be a problem?

I honestly don't see a hunter worth any beans shooting any of those. I personally think you'll be just fine.

 

[Painted Calls]

Now if you had Mallards or anything that was easily confused with native game - then I'd be concerned.

 

[HENS-and-MARES]

Thanks! I’ll try that.

 

[Painted Calls]

If you use collars, make sure you use something that will easily break away if it becomes hung up on something.

 

[Painted Calls]

Might be better just to mark them with waterproof livestock chalk/markers.

 

[Folly's place]

If there's an issue, or if you are really worried about it, keep them fenced during the hunting season. Most hunters will be fine, but there are idiots out there too.
During the main deer season here, we have our horses and cattle close to the barn and road, rather than out closer to the woods. We've never had a problem, but just get a little more careful then.
Mary