Senjem seeks moratorium on goose egg addling

Apr. 21—ST. PAUL — A measure authored by state Sen. Dave Senjem would suspend the practice of goose egg addling as a way of culling goose populations in Rochester and statewide until the issue can be discussed further.

The City of Rochester began using the method last week to curb Rochester's large goose population, but the practice has come under fire by some in the community as inhumane and cruel. When city officials and volunteers showed up at Silver Lake Park to begin the egg addling process last week, they were greeted by two dozen protesters.

Senjem also posted on Facebook his disagreement with the city's approach last week.

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Protest greets volunteer egg-addling effort in Silver Lake Park

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Volunteers find fewer goose nests around Cascade Lake

"Let the baby goslings hatch and live," he wrote. "If culling geese needs to occur, let's work legislatively to expand the hunting season or limits."

Senjem's amendment would require the state's Commissioner of Natural Resources to cancel or refrain from issuing any permits for "Canada goose egg oiling or egg destruction, including addling or puncturing" until July 1, 2022.

He said his amendment, which became part of an omnibus bill by floor vote Monday, is meant to be a temporary measure. Its purpose, he said, is to create the space to discuss whether egg addling is the best way to cull goose populations as opposed to an expanded goose-hunting season or trapping them with nets

"At least, the goose is grown and has a sporting chance," Senjem said about the two other approaches.

It would have no effect on current culling efforts in Rochester and other communities, since the bill still has to be reconciled with its House counterpart and be signed by the governor. And if it did pass, the moratorium would be lifted next summer, presumably after the matter had been discussed.

"For me, it all boils down to a humanitarian question. Is this the right way to do this?" Senjem said. "And if, in the end, after we talk about it, if it's agreed that 'Yeah, this is right, this is proper,' then we'll just go ahead with it."

Goose egg addling involves taking the eggs out of their nests and dunking them in oil. The oil blocks pores in the eggshells, effectively terminating development of the embryo by blocking the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Volunteers have been using a float test to ensure all the eggs haven't reached the 14th day of incubation.

Paul Widman, Rochester's parks and recreation director, said the city's efforts follow the guidelines "line by line" of the Humane Society of the United States.

"We've worked with them closely. And those guidelines are also what the DNR recommends," Widman said. "I'm not going to put myself in a position to second-guess the Humane Society."

A call to the Humane Society was not returned.

But the society refers to goose egg addling on its homepage as the "humane way" to limit flock growth, provided that the use of corn oil or egg removal is done at the "earliest stages of development."