Over the last year and a half, I’ve been involved in a number of fishing line entanglement rescues that have left a lasting impression on me. The ones that immediately come to mind include two Great Blue Herons, an American White Pelican, a Barred Owl, a Herring Gull, and most recently, a Canada Goose—and that’s only a small sample of the cases that come through Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center each year.

A significant percentage of wildlife admissions are the result of human causes: car strikes, poisonings, window collisions, lead toxicity, and the disruption of families during breeding season, to name a few. Some of these issues are more difficult to prevent than others. Fishing entanglements and lead poisoning, however, are two problems with remarkably simple solutions that anyone who fishes or spends time outdoors can help address. Small changes like picking up after yourself, properly disposing of fishing line, and switching to non-lead tackle and ammunition can prevent immense suffering for wildlife already facing steep odds for survival.

I always carry a basic wildlife rescue kit in my car: a net, towel, soft-sided carrier, and personal protective equipment. These essentials allow for the safe containment and transport of injured wildlife when needed. On my way home from work on December 15th, I drove past the Yahara River near my house after seeing a post in the SASY neighborhood group about an injured goose that concerned citizens were trying to help. As I approached, I saw kids holding boxes and a group carrying a canoe and knew I was in the right place.

By then, the goose had made its way onto a section of frozen ice along the riverbank. Fortunately, it was close enough to safely throw a net over without anyone having to risk stepping onto the ice. Once the goose was secured and transferred to a carrier for transport to Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center, it became clear that fishing line was tangled in its mouth and a large chunk of ice had formed around the line, which the goose had been dragging behind it. Wildlife rehabilitators discovered the fishing line had wrapped around the goose’s tongue, causing a constriction wound. Luckily, there was no hook attached to the line. This goose would have suffered a horrid, slow death if it hadn’t been for the neighborhood coming together to rescue it and get it to the licensed wildlife rehabilitators and vets at DCHS.

In 2005, DCHS’s Wildlife Center admitted 38 individual wild animals entangled in trash, netting, or fishing line (all species). From 2014 through 2025, 30 individual geese were admitted JUST with fishing line or fishing tackle injuries, while 42 individual geese were admitted with detectable levels of lead toxicity—most likely caused by environmental contamination from lead sinkers.

As humans continue to encroach on wildlife habitat, empathy matters more than ever. No living being deserves to suffer a horrific death as a result of human-caused circumstances—whether it’s a goose, squirrel, rabbit, or any other animal some may consider a nuisance. Offering dignity and minimizing unnecessary suffering is the very least we can do.

Thankfully, this goose made a speedy recovery and was released in mid-January 2026.

Please help protect wildlife by:

• Properly disposing of fishing line and picking up after yourself.
• Switching to lead-free tackle and ammunition.
• Knowing when to help and who to call—if an animal is injured, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
• Understanding that many wildlife rehabilitation centers operate on tight budgets, often relying heavily on donations and volunteers, because they receive little to no financial support from state or federal programs.

Dylan Hughes is a volunteer at DCHS's Wildlife Center.

Read the media coverage about this goose on Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin State Journal.