Chillicothe

News Release
March 2, 2023

PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, BILL BONNER ANNOUNCES
GEESE MANAGEMENT TO BEGIN IN YOCTANGEE PARK

Parks and Recreation Director Bill Bonner announced today that the City of Chillicothe has entered into an agreement with a certified geese management company to provide deterrent methods to the Canadian geese in Yoctangee Park.

In recent years, the waterfowl population has risen exponentially, creating many issues related to cleanliness, aggressive behavior, and injury to the waterfowl. When populations are not managed geese can spread disease, force out, injure, and/or kill native wildlife. Yoctangee Lake is unable to handle this increase in the waterfowl population and deterring nonnative waterfowl over time will have a positive impact on the health of Yoctangee Lake. The deterrent program will be on site regularly from March through August. Techniques the public might expect to see will include the use of border collies, sound repellents and other techniques.

“Yoctangee Park is the city’s gem, but it has become home to an unmanageable number of Canadian geese over recent years. This multi-year deterrent program will help restore the cleanliness and enjoyability to the park, especially in the area immediately around Yoctangee Lake. We were pleased to find a company with extensive experience in humane and lasting deterrent programs. While no geese will be removed from the park under this year’s program in accordance with Ohio law, we do expect to see progress based on the program of deterrence," said Director Bonner.

Visitors to the park should be aware of intermittent deterrent activities and are asked to refrain from interfering in the process. When border collies are used, they are trained to disrupt the geese, forcing them to find a different and safer property to nest and eat. Additionally, the dogs can distinguish between geese and ducks, therefore maintaining the native duck population while alleviating the nuisance of the Canadian Goose population. This type of geese management could take years to finish but has been shown to be the most effective. More information can be found on the city website.