Will County is going to the birds, more specifically, the geese. They seem to be taking over. For years I was not concerned. Now they are appearing on my farms, and it makes me wonder if it is time to act.
I can remember 20 years ago when I would drive north through the farm fields surrounding New Lenox and Lockport that flocks of geese were prevalent. It was rare to see geese south of Interstate 80. I had been told that they were attracted to the many new residential developments and the bodies of water used as retention ponds. The lush green grass also provided a good meal safe from predators. TNow the geese are moving south. For many afternoons and evenings the last 30 days, if I was outside I would hear the constant quacking of geese.
It is my understanding that only 100 years ago domestic and wild ducks and geese were a mainstay for many at dinnertime. Geese were harvested to such a level that their populations were declining. I believe there are very few willing to hunt geese these days, yet alone take the time to clean and prepare the bird for a meal. Why do all that work when an entire roasted chicken is only $5.99 at the store?
About 15 years ago a farmer told me about how he grew wheat near the Chicagoland Speedway only to watch the geese eat the field down every day. For my entire life I have enjoyed watching the large migratory flocks dot the sky. They rarely visited, yet alone stopped at my farms. Now the rural landscape I call home is also dotted with developments with many bodies of water that appear to be bringing an ever-increasing number of geese. A few days ago I passed a field along Cherry Hill road that had thousands of geese in it.
I have so many questions. Why are the geese still in Will County as we approach the latter half of winter? Are these freeloaders in my field migratory geese or local geese? Does that many geese in a field day after day add some fertility from all the excrement? How hard is it to clean and cook a goose for dinner? What does goose taste like? How can I discourage them from visiting my wheat field? Is the number of geese this winter a fluke or a harbinger of things to come with global warming?
Many view the local populations of geese as a nuisance and would love to see them relocated. The farmers in Eastern Will County have tried unsuccessfully for decades to stop plans to build another major airport to serve the Chicago area. Maybe they can attract thousands of geese to that area. There is a pilot named Sullenberger who can attest very well to how poorly geese and airplanes get along together.
I want them to fly past my farm like they used to, or else, I am going to have to go hunting again after a 30-year hiatus. I wonder if they “taste like chicken?”
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