MODELING COSTS OF USING OVOCONTROL G FOR MANAGING NUISANCE CANADA GOOSE (BRANTA CANADENSIS) POPULATIONS

Authors

Joe N. Caudell, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
Stephanie A. Shwiff, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow

Date of this Version

January 2007

Comments

Published in Proceedings of the 12th Wildlife Damage Management Conference (D.L. Nolte, W.M. Arjo, D.H. Stalman, Eds). 2007.

Abstract

OvoControl G is a relatively new product that reduces the hatchability of Canada goose (Branta canadensis) eggs. However, little data is available on the cost of application. We present a model for estimating the cost of application of OvoControl G for managing nuisance Canada goose populations. We found that at low goose densities, fixed labor costs are responsible for a significant portion of the cost. As goose densities increase, these fixed costs become equivalent to, and eventually less than, the costs associated with the purchase of the product. We present several scenarios that managers may employ to further reduce the cost of application.