Giant Canada geese are Missouri friendly, even nick-named "Friendly Giants," however they've taken messy advantage of their invitations to our state wildlife ranks. Reckon we in Northwest Missouri get both fame and blame as our part of the state launched the Giant Canada restoration story, a saga that has become almost too much of a success.

The largest of several species of Canada goose, easily identified by white cheek patches, Giant Canadas were thought back in the early 1950's to have vanished from Missouri wildlife parade.

Now, as the Missouri Conservation Department project nears a bicentennial birthday, efforts are underway to slow the Giant Canada baby boom to a tolerable pace.

Giant honks are familiar in our area. Nearby Pony Express Conservation Area and Smithville Lake were original Friendly Giant country and remain Giant strong-holds.

Missouri wildlife managers figured the big geese were gone from state Canada goose ranks in the early 50's, but eventually found a few and restored Giant populations by moving geese to new locations throughout the state as the flocks gradually expanded.

Giant Canadas are now familiar sights on large lakes and most farm ponds. The birds seem to enjoy human company, however many folks don't return the compliment.

The wild geese are unsanitary and considered nuisances in some areas, where they mess up shorelines, fishing and picnic areas, even invade golf courses for meals of choice grass.

Some areas have been opened to hunting as a control measure and further studies are being done in hopes of keeping the friendly birds at tolerable numbers and aiding landowners in keeping geese at a tolerable distance.

Northwest Missouri was the start of the Canada restoration project and continues to be prime Canada home territory.

Wildlife managers located about two dozen giants in 1952. Today there are an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 birds throughout the state. The two dozen founding fathers and mothers were acquired by the Missouri Conservation Department from private owners to form the nucleus of a restoration program.

The history of those 24 birds isn't recorded. They may have been wild birds used as hunting decoys when such live bait was legal.

The birds were wing-clipped to keep them grounded at the former Trimble Wildlife Area, now a part of Smithville Lake and located about 40 miles southeast of Maysville. The flock expanded with use of elevated metal tubs as protected nesting sites, shielded by no-hunting regulations and good habitat, food, water and cover, at the wildlife area.

Nesting tubs tacked to posts provided height protection for hatching eggs. Ground nests are easy prey for raccoons, foxes, skunks and other predators.

Youngsters from the original flock were first transferred to other state areas. Those satellite flocks in turn furnished goslings for further expansion to conservation areas and private lands.

Among the first state sites to receive Trimble geese was Pony Express Conservation Area. Pony was a natural selection as the state conservation department area is only a few air miles from the Trimble area.

Perhaps the distance was too close to their Trimble home as the initial stocking at pony Express flew back to Trimble.

Pony Express then was stocked with geese from the Busch Conservation Area near St. Louis. Those birds stayed, even though they also originally were Trimble geese. Flocks at Pony expanded until Pony eventually became the prime source of Canadas for launching flocks at other state sites and some private lands.

Northwest Missouri remains the stronghold of giants. "From Kansas City northward to Smithville Reservoir and on to Pony Express Conservation Area is the stronghold of state geese numbers," said Dave Graber, waterfowl research biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

"Pastures, crops and ample ponds provide habitat most favorable to geese in those sited," he explained.

Pony Express also furnished goslings to Kansas in return for Sunflower state prairie chickens, released in Missouri to restore that bird to our state. Kansas elected to wind down the Giant Canada project in 1995. Missouri conservation wildlife swappers most likely will find new trading grounds.

Pony Express leads the state during annual roundups when geese are herded into shore pens for research data, such as checking or adding leg bands, compiling numbers, determining sex and ages.

More than 2,000 giants were checked during one Pony Express roundup, one of about ten such annual sessions usually conducted in late June when geese are flightless. Adult birds are replacing flight feathers while youngsters are growing flight feathers.

Roundups resemble scenes from the old cattle roundups. Geese are herded from shore into the water, where boats take over the drive.

Boat motors roar as experienced "water cowboys and girls" skim around the geese, maneuvering the birds into a large flock. Whistles, yells and boat oars slapped on the lake help guide Canada mavericks back in line when the birds attempt to break away from the main flock.

Several dozen usually escape -- some have replaced flight feathers or are wise old veterans -- but the majority are gradually herded back to a shady shore area and large temporary holding pens.

Then the real work starts.

Geese are captured, usually by pinning the wings, for research and then released back to the lake. Care is taken to cause as little stress as possible to the birds.

Some geese cooperate. Others scratch and nip. The birds can rake skin to the bone, deliver wing whacks and do a twisting bite that tends to make goose catchers momentarily loose their religion. Pony Express Conservation Area is home to a year-around flock of several hundred, which grows to the 2,000 range in the spring.

"Although some birds nest at Pony Express, the majority of birds at roundup time are those using the site as a molting area," Research Biologist Graber said.

Most goslings are hatched at smaller lakes and ponds, especially those with elevated tub nests or islands serving as protection from predators, he explained.

"A couple days after hatching, young birds and their parents move overland, seeking larger water and good grass. They only move a few miles, so those birds hatched close to Pony Express will move to that area. Those beyond a few miles will seek other large water sites. We put small transmitters on some geese in hopes of finding out how far they range after hatching.

"Family groups will stay together about a year, then young birds will be banished as adults defend mating territory. Those non-breeding birds are the majority gathered at Pony Express, where they assemble for molting."

Missouri's restoration project was pronounced a success a few years ago with the giants back to Missouri in full force -- plenty strong to provide an addition to state hunting and also become a part of the conservation department's wildlife trading projects to restore other wildlife to our state.

Missouri's giants are mostly stay-at-home. Some do molting flights, even as far as Canada, but return to Missouri. They also may mingle with migrating birds, but apparently remain loyal when migrating Canadas move on south to winter feeding grounds along the Gulf Coast, or when migrating geese rest and feed in Missouri before winging north in the spring to nesting grounds in Canada.

Meanwhile, "our" Friendly Giants stick to Missouri territory, providing close-up glimpses of wildlife -- from cute bundles of gosling fluff to haughty white-cheeked adults.

When the viewing fun fades and the birds become nuisances, the conservation department has some suggestions to discourage unwanted Canadas. Here's some tips for next March, the best time as the birds are starting nesting duties.

Giants are tough to discourage. They just don't pay attention to human demands and they are legally protected by both federal and state wildlife regulations.

"Killing them is illegal except during specified hunting seasons and by prescribed methods," reports Jim Low, publicist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

"Likewise, it's illegal to disturb them once they begin nesting. Taking their eggs or treating them to prevent hatching isn't allowed under federal law, either, unless you get a special permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

There are things you can do to discourage Giant Canada geese from frequenting your property or at least prevent them from becoming more numerous, short of killing them or disturbing their nests." Low said. If geese have outstayed their welcome, he offers these suggestions:

-- Never feed geese

-- Leave a barrier of grass at least six inches tall around edges of lakes and ponds

-- Plant hedges or install fences (as short as three feet will do) between the lake shore and your yard

-- Remove manmade nesting structures (such as elevated metal tub nests)

-- Check property frequently for signs of nest building and remove nest material before egg laying begins

-- Hang reflective plastic streamers (twisted sections of old VCR tapes will work) to discourage geese from landing on your property

-- Use propane cannons or special pyrotechnics (where legal) to frighten geese away

-- Harass geese whenever they land on your property

Noise makers, dogs, brooms and rakes can be used to harass geese, but harassment must stop once geese start laying eggs. The only method of capturing, injuring, or killing geese is by legal means during the hunting season or with a special permit. A permit also is required to destroy or collect wild geese eggs, Low added.

More information concerning geese problems is available from the USDA Wildlife Service, 2407 Industrial Drive, Columbia, MO 65202 or contact your conservation agent.

-- by Bill Bennett, reprinted from the DeKalb County Record-Herald