Canada geese can now be hunted without a permit and throughout the year in a decision made by the Conservation Department, but the move will cause "anarchy", according to Fish & Game.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said management of the population, which was in the "tens of thousands", was not working and farmers were frustrated with the geese damaging crops and pasture.
Farmers would have an incentive to provide hunting access to reduce their goose control costs, she said.
The change was expected to take effect from the middle of this year.
Nelson-Marlborough Fish & Game manager Neil Deans said the decision to remove the bird from a list of game administered by the organisation in the Wildlife Act 1953 was "baffling" and would possibly increase the population of the bird.
"We've gone from a regime of some form control to anarchy. Good luck to anyone trying to deal with it," he said.
Mr Deans said Fish & Game was funded through licence fees to hunt game on schedule one of the act, including quails, pukeko and some species of duck, and taking the geese off the list removed a revenue stream and also their statutory interest in the bird.
No complaints were received about the geese last year and Fish & Game had organised hunts, which attracted international hunters, benefiting both farmers and hunters, he said.
He was concerned hunters would use other means of hunting the birds, including poison, shooting from helicopters and using rifles.
Some sites might be hunted regularly and cause the "smart and highly mobile" birds to flock to other areas and continue to breed.
Marlborough Federated Farmers president Gary Barnett said the decision would be welcomed by farmers because it gave them more control over the birds on their land.
It was helpful for farmers to be able to hunt outside the game season, he said.
Federated Farmers game and pest animal management spokesman Donald Aubrey said the geese were a huge strain on the environment.
They damaged crops, spoiled waterways with their excrement and beat native birds to resources.
Molesworth Station manager Jim Ward said he would like to continue the organised hunts with or without the help of Fish & Game.
CANADA GEESE
Canada geese are an introduced species from North America.
It is understood US President Theodore Roosevelt gifted some of the first canada geese to the country.
They form noisy flocks and are often regarded as a nuisance in areas where large numbers occur on amenity grassland and parks, plus farms.
The total South Island canada goose population is about 32,000 birds.
In stock-unit terms, this is equivalent to a 1200-cow dairy herd.
Fish & Game has argued that continued agricultural development is increasing the distribution and carrying capacity for canada geese.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
an equivalent of 1200 cows isn't much for the entire south island, just think of all the pollution the cows do! With open season all year this literally means its "like shooting ducks on the pond".They will be gone in no time!!
Excellent point Shirley. We are experienced hunters and do the same - shoot for the freezer and pest control, but I don't know how many farmers we have approached to help with rabbit and geese control only to be turned away. then they moan about the cost of professional control? as for fish and game moaning about the license being removed... goes to show where their motives lie - revenue.
farmers need to make up their minds, they won't let people onto to shoot these birds yet moan because they are damaging their pastures and crops. Can't have it both ways, my husband is an experienced hunter and he shoots for the freezer, nothing goes to waste, so come on farmers just what do you want?????
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