Left unchecked, goose populations double every five years or sooner.

She added that the large goose populations are also a hazard to airplanes landing and taking off.

"This proposed ruling will hopefully reduce the resident goose population in areas where there is a problem."

Despite the efforts, experts say the resident goose population on the Island, estimated at 20,000, will double in five years.

The agency says it will keep close watch on the effectiveness of the new measures and rescind them when the goose population comes under control.

Officials have used less draconian methods to deal with goose populations.

The town's conservation director, Thomas Baptist, said the goose population ranges from 2,500 in the winter to 1,000 during the summer months.

Winter may be the time of year that sets the upper limit to goose populations.

A common method for thinning out the goose population is forced relocation.

But with an exploding goose population, Kent officials are standing firm against the rights activists.