Aleutian Geese & North Coast Ranching

Historically, the populations of migratory geese along the Pacific Flyway – and other flyways in the United States – have increased with the development of agricultural lands.

Once an endangered species, the Aleutian cackling goose has recovered in abundance,,causing a serious financial burden for the North Coast dairies and ranches that now support the population. The Aleutian goose population was estimated to be as low as 750 in the mid 1970’s, but through the removal of introduced foxes from their Aleutian island breeding range, and relocation of breeding pairs back to the islands, their numbers have increased to more than 100,000!

During the spring time, migratory goose populations change their diet to target fresh growth, protein-rich grasses essential for their migration and reproduction. This period of time is called spring staging. For many years Aleuian cackling geese stopped in the cattle pastures near Crescent City, California. But as the population increased the local ranching community began to feel the financial impact of feeding thousands of geese. In the mid to late 1990’s the ranching community in Crescent City began to use hazing techniques to scare the geese from their fields in an attempt to protect their cattle’s feed. As hazing techniques intensified small numbers of geese began showing up in the Humboldt Bay area, 150 kilometers south!

Fast forward five years and the healthy Aleutian goose population now relies on the Humboldt Bay area more than the Crescent City area, with approximately 80% of the population now using the Arcata, Loleta, and Ferndale Bottoms as their spring staging area. The geese are not only in larger numbers, but they are also staying longer, arriving in the region in late January and staying until mid-April. The geese are relying on the same grass that the cattlemen rely on for their beef and dairy operations. However, the geese seem to use some ranches and fields more than others. Supported by The Headwaters Fund of Humboldt County and the U.S. EDA, HSU Wildlife Management graduate students, Kyle Spragens and Dominic Bachman have conducted research to learn why the geese favor certain fields and what it will take to attract them to public lands.

On several of the ranches in the Arcata Bottoms, and public lands associated with the Arcata Bottoms, Spragens is collecting grass samples to analyze their protein and fiber content in order to compare the quality of grass between the ranches and public areas. Grass samples are being collected during three time periods to capture the quality of grass available as the spring staging period progresses. Studying how grass quality differs across the Arcata Bottoms may provide insight into the bird’s selection of feeding sights, which are likely influenced by cattle management practices. With this information we will offer recommendations that may lessen the financial burden and allow for a more tolerable coexistence.

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