Migratory Coots Cancel The title field is required!

1. White Robert G

   
   1/3/2012 2:01 PM

   Coots are a real problem in the Palm Springs, CA area this year. We are harassing with R/C boats, dogs, bird bombs, hawk noise, and even a blower going around the lake over and over. We would prefer not to hurt any birds if we do not have to. We are considering sonic and ultrasonic devices. Anyone have experience with these or anything else short of a shotgun that works? It is starting to be a real mess for us. The number of birds is unbelievable this year. Thank you for any information.
   
   Robert

   
   
   
   
2. Greg Niendorf

   

   0 posts
   
   1/4/2012 2:01 PM

   Try spraying Spotrete on the areas that they chew on. The birds don't like how the Spotrete tastes and move on.

   
   
   
   
3. William Heaslip

   

   0 posts
   
   1/4/2012 3:01 PM

   Robert-
   
   I'm in the same boat in the Vegas area. Pyrotechnics, harassment, decoys and spraying our allotment of Spotrete has not solved the issues. I have thought about the RC set-up from Bird-X but it is a hefty investment whether you use their service or buy the plane set-up. There was a cool you-tube video on it if you haven't been using it already since most of the courses were in the Palm Springs area. Since coots have no natural predator to speak of, they are difficult to control. Obtaining a migratory bird depredation permit may be the way to go...but there is a huge backlog. We are using bird netting to fence off lake edges and continue to blow crap off of areas they are feeding until our permit is approved. They may finally get the hint to move on with a few 12 gauge applications. I'd love to hear any other success stories on control if there are any.
   
   Bill Heaslip
   Las Vegas, NV

   
   
   
   
4. Wydra David A

   
   1/5/2012 12:01 PM

   We've been using a paintball gun for the Canada geese for three seasons now. It still seems to be pretty effective. Maybe it will work on your coot problem.

   
   
   
   
5. White Robert G

   
   1/6/2012 6:01 AM

   Thanks for the replies on this, never thought of paint ball...love it. We talked to Desert Sky Cam/Bird-X Bill and they are asking $1200 per month. That is a tough pill to swallow since they are chasing the birds back and forth between the courses they service. Kind of comical really except that's part of our problem I'm sure. They must be laughing all the way to the bank.
   
   Curious how the fencing is working Bill. We have applied for permit and waiting but are right now considering running fishing line across the lakes in 8 foot squares about a foot off the water. Somebody tried it out here last year with good results. The homeowners complained about the visual of course. I have had to shoot before but don't really like to...but a few months of the numbers we are experiencing has put everyone around in the killing mood. The website desertskycam.com has the videos Bill mentioned, they are pretty cool to watch.
   
   Off to the paint ball store. Thanks again.
   
   Robert

   
   
   
   
6. William Heaslip

   

   0 posts
   
   1/6/2012 12:01 PM

   Robert,
   
   The fishing line will deter geese since they need to land in the water and will cut down their available space to do so. The coots don't care about the line...they just swim around or dive under. The netting seems to be working and I will continue to evaluate some areas.
   
   Bill

   
   
   
   
7. Michael Molton

   

   0 posts
   
   1/12/2012 8:01 PM

   Paintball is the way to go. Freeze them and they work better. You just have to catch them very early so they do not nest. If they do, its a fight to get them out of the area. Depredation permit is nice but after some time the complaints and attention become a problem.
   
   Mike
   
   Scottsdale, AZ

   
   
   
   
8. Prettyman Guy W

   
   1/16/2012 9:01 AM

   Not sure if it will work, but on vacation a local Superintendent came across a beach vender selling green laser pointers to harass seagulls. When he returned from vacation, he tried the same approach on the geese at his course. From what I hear it works great on geese, so well that I know many area Superintendents buying green laser pointers.

   
   
   
   
9. Robert Wright

   

   0 posts
   
   1/23/2012 9:01 PM

   Robert White, CGCS said: Coots are a real problem in the Palm Springs, CA area this year. We are harassing with R/C boats, dogs, bird bombs, hawk noise, and even a blower going around the lake over and over. We would prefer not to hurt any birds if we do not have to. We are considering sonic and ultrasonic devices. Anyone have experience with these or anything else short of a shotgun that works? It is starting to be a real mess for us. The number of birds is unbelievable this year. Thank you for any information.
   
   Robert

   
   Hi Robert, long time no see since our days at COD. I've almost given up on trying to eliminate coots, nothing seems to work very well except a shotgun. Can't shoot one here though due to the houses. So we have put up 3 foot fencing around lakes and angled it over the water, and spray Spotrete, but still plenty of damage is done where we don't spray or have fences.
   Good luck and let me know about the fishing line, I'm thinking 1 foot spacing but I'm sure that our wedding coordinator will not approve of this.

   
   
   
   
10. Fauble Christopher

    
    1/24/2012 7:01 AM

    The laser pointer works for me on Canada Geese. I use a red one. Not sure if the color really matters. The key is to get out early before sunrise to increase the effectiveness. I love the paintball gun idea. I might start using one along with everything else I'm doing for geese. I do have a depredation permit but as Michael said, attention and questioning homeowners is always a concern. The paintball gun will give me one extra non-lethal control technique.

    
    
    
    
11. Birdie PDI

    

    0 posts
    
    1/26/2012 8:01 AM

    Good morning - this thread happened to catch my eye. We have an On Demand webcast that is related - Update on Geese Management by Judy Loven from the USDA. She covers some of the same things discussed here and also talks about what's legal and what isn't (to help keep you out of trouble!) Might be worth a listen now that they are no charge to members and you'd earn 0.2 education points.
    Lisa Wick
    GCSAA