How To Stop A Goose Attack: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Stop a Goose Attack PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Doug Flinders

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Getting Away from the Goose
    • |
  • Avoiding Escalating the Situation
    • |
  • Preventing An Attack
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Doug Flinders. Doug Flinders is a wilderness and survival expert based in Canada. Known online as Flinders Adventures, Doug shares his outdoor adventures, gear recommendations, and photography. With a decade of experience teaching wilderness survival and two decades of backpacking and backcountry canoe expeditions, Doug has dedicated his career to mastering and sharing essential outdoor skills. As a seasoned guide, Doug has led backcountry adventures, equipping individuals with the knowledge and confidence to navigate remote environments safely. Doug’s expertise extends to survival strategies, gear selection, and practical techniques that enhance self-sufficiency in the wild. Through hands-on instruction and guided expeditions, Doug strives to instill a deep respect for nature while fostering resilience and adaptability in those he teach. He is a passionate outdoorsman, conservationist, and wilderness skills instructor. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 24 testimonials and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 489,171 times.

Geese are territorial birds and are known to chase or attack anyone who disturbs their territory. While geese may chase people, an actual physical attack is fairly rare. You can stop a goose's aggression by respectfully leaving its territory. Back away slowly, while remaining calm.[1] Do not do anything that may escalate the situation, like yelling. In the event you are injured, seek medical attention to assess your injuries.

Things You Should Know

  • Watch out for signs of aggression from geese like hissing, honking, sticking their necks out straight, or pumping their heads up and down.
  • Resist the urge to feed geese. They may lose their fear of humans and become aggressive to get more to eat.
  • Prevent attacks by building fences or other barriers around your yard or contacting animal control if geese are a consistent problem.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Getting Away from the Goose

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  1. Step 1 Watch for warning signs of an imminent attack. 1 Watch for warning signs of an imminent attack. You may be able to get away before a goose becomes too aggressive if you see the warning signs of an attack. Pay attention to any potential signs of aggression when you're near a goose.[2]
    • At first, a goose will bend its head back slightly. This indicates aggression. If the goose then bends its neck out straight, this shows the aggression is increasing.
    • If a goose is about to attack, it will pump its head up and down.
    • Geese may hiss or honk as well if they are becoming aggressive.
  2. Step 2 Leave before a goose begins to chase you. 2 Leave before a goose begins to chase you. If you notice warning signs of an attack, leave before the goose begins to chase you. If the goose sees you're backing away, it may decide you're not a threat. Back away slowly until you're a good distance from the goose and it's stopped making aggressive gestures. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Back away slowly if the goose becomes aggressive. 3 Back away slowly if the goose becomes aggressive. In the event the goose starts chasing you, back away slowly. Stay faced towards the goose and use your peripheral vision to guide your movements. Make sure to avoid anything you may trip over, as this may give the goose reason to attack.[3]
  4. Step 4 Remain calm. 4 Remain calm. If you appear frightened or upset, a goose could take this as a sign of aggression. It's a good idea to maintain a calm, neutral demeanor when backing away from a goose. If you're struggling to remain calm, take a few deep breaths as you back away. Keep in mind that, while geese can be territorial, an actual physical attack is very rare.[4]
  5. Step 5 Seek medical attention if you're injured. 5 Seek medical attention if you're injured. In the event a goose bites you or hits you with its wings, seek medical attention. Geese are strong, and can cause injury when provoked. You may require stitches or a cast if a goose attacks you. Go to the emergency room for assessment as soon as you get away.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Avoiding Escalating the Situation

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  1. Step 1 Do not become hostile. 1 Do not become hostile. If you're being chased by a goose, your inclination may be to scare it off. However, getting hostile will only be seen as aggression. That will cause the goose to attack. [5]
    • Do not yell at the goose. It's better not to say anything, as to avoid provoking it.
    • You should also not make any physical gestures towards the goose. Do not kick, swing your arms, or throw anything at the goose.
  2. Step 2 Avoid turning away. 2 Avoid turning away. It's very important you face the goose until it stops pursuing you. Keep an eye on the goose at all times. Do not close your eyes or turn your back from the animal. Watch the goose carefully until it backs off.[6]
  3. Step 3 Do not run. 3 Do not run. As you should keep your eye on a goose, running is not recommended. If a goose sees you running, this may encourage it to chase you more. Also, running may make you appear excited or agitated, which a goose may perceive as aggression. Even if a goose is gaining ground, remain calm and take slow, careful steps to get away.[7]
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Preventing An Attack

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  1. Step 1 Do not feed geese. 1 Do not feed geese. Feeding geese can easily trigger an attack. Geese may lose their fear of humans if fed too frequently. They may also become aggressive over food, going after people for not handing over food.
    • If there are geese at a local park or nature center, encourage others to avoid feeding them. You could talk to a ranger at the park about strongly enforcing rules that prevent people from feeding geese.
    • If you're at a park, do not feed the geese. If you have young children, strongly discourage them from feeding the birds.[8]
  2. Step 2 Put up barriers, if possible. 2 Put up barriers, if possible. If there are bothersome geese in your yard, consider putting up barriers. Small fences can protect you and your family from potentially aggressive geese. If there are geese at a public place, like a park, contact officials and request barriers.[9]
  3. Step 3 Inform the proper authorities if geese are becoming a problem. 3 Inform the proper authorities if geese are becoming a problem. It's difficult to entirely prevent geese if you live in an area where they are prevalent. However, measures can be taken to minimize attacks. You can contact your local Department of Natural Resources to report the problem. The DNR can look into ethical solutions, such as putting up extra fences or using scare tactics like orange flyers to discourage the geese from bothering people.[10]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question What should I do if a goose lands on my head and smacks me in the face repeatedly? Community Answer Community Answer Just like being in a fire, you should stop, drop, and roll. This makes it very difficult for the goose to maintain a hold on your head. If you roll fast enough, it also makes the goose dizzy. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 88 Helpful 572
  • Question There is a goose at work who doesn't attack anyone but me. What can I do? Community Answer Community Answer Travel in a group so the goose will not single you out. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 83 Helpful 391
  • Question Why do geese attack humans? Community Answer Community Answer They are territorial and protecting their nesting areas. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 72 Helpful 191
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Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Don’t run! Just walk away and don’t stop looking at it. Appear calm and collected. Try not to become scared.
  • It's best to avoid this from happening. Keep a distance of about 2 meters to avoid provoking the geese.
  • Don't try to fight a goose. This is an act of hostility. This will only make it more aggressive.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

  • Goose bites can really hurt. They can also use their feet and wings to inflict damage to your skin or face. Do not laugh off a goose attack, as it can potentially cause injury. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about survival skills, check out our in-depth interview with Doug Flinders.

References

  1. ↑ Doug Flinders. Wilderness and Survival Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Doug Flinders. Wilderness and Survival Expert. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/18/hewlett-packard-geese-attacks_n_3289096.html
  4. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/18/hewlett-packard-geese-attacks_n_3289096.html
  5. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/18/hewlett-packard-geese-attacks_n_3289096.html
  6. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/18/hewlett-packard-geese-attacks_n_3289096.html
  7. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/18/hewlett-packard-geese-attacks_n_3289096.html
  8. ↑ Elmer Bensinger. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ Elmer Bensinger. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview
More References (1)
  1. ↑ Elmer Bensinger. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview

About This Article

Doug Flinders Co-authored by: Doug Flinders Wilderness and Survival Expert This article was co-authored by Doug Flinders. Doug Flinders is a wilderness and survival expert based in Canada. Known online as Flinders Adventures, Doug shares his outdoor adventures, gear recommendations, and photography. With a decade of experience teaching wilderness survival and two decades of backpacking and backcountry canoe expeditions, Doug has dedicated his career to mastering and sharing essential outdoor skills. As a seasoned guide, Doug has led backcountry adventures, equipping individuals with the knowledge and confidence to navigate remote environments safely. Doug’s expertise extends to survival strategies, gear selection, and practical techniques that enhance self-sufficiency in the wild. Through hands-on instruction and guided expeditions, Doug strives to instill a deep respect for nature while fostering resilience and adaptability in those he teach. He is a passionate outdoorsman, conservationist, and wilderness skills instructor. This article has been viewed 489,171 times. 5 votes - 80% Co-authors: 42 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 489,171 Categories: Animal and Insect Safety Article SummaryX

To stop a goose attack, back away slowly from the goose if you see it moving its head up and down, or hear it honking or hissing, which are all signs of aggression. As you back away, try to face the goose and remain calm, since geese interpret fear as a sign of aggression. Additionally, avoid running away as this is likely to encourage the goose to chase you. Instead, when you reach a safe distance, walk away from the area calmly. If the goose bites you or strikes you with its wing, seek medical attention as soon as possible. For tips on how to inform the authorities about aggressive geese, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Daniel

    Daniel

    Nov 7, 2017

    "I woke up one morning and there was a goose outside my house in the front yard. The goose seemed to be an..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Doug Flinders Co-authored by: Doug Flinders Wilderness and Survival Expert Co-authors: 42 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 489,171 80% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote Daniel

Daniel

Nov 7, 2017

"I woke up one morning and there was a goose outside my house in the front yard. The goose seemed to be an..." more Rated this article: Harold S.

Harold S.

May 5, 2024

"I successfully warded off the park goose that was targeting me for the past 2-3 weeks! The little goose, call him..." more Ellie Kesselman

Ellie Kesselman

Aug 31, 2016

"I found this posted on reddit. It will be really helpful to me and lots of other people, especially the photos...." more Brenda Q. Smith

Brenda Q. Smith

Aug 27, 2016

"I was greatly helped by the 'how to avoid the attacks', and 'how to get away from attacks'...." more Haley Brown

Haley Brown

Mar 28, 2020

"I was attacked by at least 20 Canadian geese when I was 11. This article helped me get over my fear of geese..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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