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Thus, we conclude that applications of MA on turf grass can effectively <br />repel Canada geese when applied at the proper time of year (i.e., before <br />molting), and with the appropriate rates and techniques. The <br />Environmental Protection Agency registration for MA (ReJeX -iT AG -36TM) <br />use as a goose repellent in turf areas was approved in July 1994, and PMC <br />Specialties, Inc. is currently pursuing state agency registrations. <br />When - -MA- becomes - commercially-availabie_.it - will - likely -be -an <br />expensive - method -- for - repelling - geese - from-- problemIDlocationsr particularly <br />if multiple °applications ° -are ° °required.---Other longer- term - techniques -for <br />reducing •~. goose -conflicts-should be considered -and ° -- investigated. Designing <br />landscapes that ° are°' less`°' attractive 'to ""ge'esb' may- be oneroption.—Gonover , <br />(1991) noted that ,geese -- showed --a- °feeding °preference-for-Kentucky <br />bluegrass,-the—dominant-,vegetation at King's Park,- over -other \grass <br />species ,-tested. The geese in that study fed more heavily on grass species <br />with a low ash content and tender leaves. In addition, common periwinkle <br />(Vinca minor)., Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), and English <br />ivy (Hedera helix) were found to be unpalatable. Conover and Kania (1991) <br />also noted that planting tall trees or increasing the number of hedges near <br />ponds may make sites fess attractive to geese. Landscape management <br />alone will not resolve all goose conflicts, however, there are situations <br />where changes in landscape design, in combination with other methods, <br />could provide a Tong -term solution. <br />Using trained dogs to displace geese from parks and golf courses also <br />warrants further study. The few anecdotal reports received to date from <br />golf course superintendents are very encouraging (A. Herriott, Rockland Co. <br />CCE, pers. commun.). Larger replicated studies and thorough cost - benefit <br />analyses are needed. This could be another one of several useful methods <br />in our toolbox for dealing with suburban goose conflicts. <br />Acknowledgments. - We thank A. Turner and P. Trader, Rockland County <br />Cooperative Extension, for assistance with MA applications, suggestions <br />concerning study design, and local administrative coordination. P. Vogt, <br />PMC Specialties, Inc. formulated the experimental MA applied during this <br />study. C. Holbrook, Town of Clarkstown Supervisor, provided access to <br />King's Park. <br />LITERATURE CITED <br />Abacus Concepts, Inc. 1989. SuperANOVA: accessible general linear <br />modeling. Berkeley, CA. 316pp. <br />Page 81 <br />