How to Stop a Goose Attack

Geese are territorial animals, especially during nesting season, when reports of goose attacks increase. The male goose is protecting the female and the nest from perceived threats. Follow these steps to prevent these attacks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Prevent a Goose Attack

1. Call your local wildlife department if the geese in your area become too numerous or too aggressive. They can assist in making safe arrangements to move the geese if necessary.
2. Refrain from feeding the geese. Once geese lose their fear of humans, they begin nesting closer to office buildings and public parks.
3. Install a specially designed fence to keep geese off your property and limit access to water. The geese will move on to better nesting grounds when you cut off their water supply.
4. Use caution around geese in the spring, when the female lays her eggs and sits on the nest for incubation. Male geese are at their most aggressive at this time.

Stop a Goose Attack

5. Pay attention to the actions of the male goose when you enter his territory. If he sounds a warning, that is your signal to leave the area.
6. Show no fear. Geese are particularly attuned to body language and a show of fear may increase the intensity of the attack.
7. Maintain eye contact. Geese have excellent vision and interpret loss of eye contact as an act of fear.
8. Stay calm. Don't yell or try to hit the male goose. The female may join the attack and then you will be in real trouble.
9. Keep your body facing directly toward the goose. Never turn your back on an attacking goose.
10. Walk slowly backwards if the goose hisses at you or spreads its wings. Use your peripheral vision to avoid tripping over obstacles.
11. Continue facing the goose and back slowly away at a 90-degree angle from the goose if he flies up at your face.
12. Make your escape and exit the area through a gate if possible. Geese rarely fly over a fence.

Tips & Warnings

• Geese shed feathers and loose their ability to fly in the summer.
• Don't cover your face with your hands, purse or briefcase, as this will break your eye contact with the goose.