A resolution to revert to the Wildlife Act (1954) was made at a council meeting in Cromwell last week.
Chief executive Niall Watson said Fish and Game councils throughout the South Island had been trying to have the plan reviewed since 2000, when it was deemed inappropriate in dealing with rising Canada geese populations.
The review stalled, and as the plan was so out of date, the council would not refer to it when planning Canada geese culls.
"The plan set target levels for Canada geese populations in Otago at a time when the bird was still in a colonisation phase, and those levels are unrealistically low today.
We tried to bring in a more effects-based management plan to combat the problem, but it has been stalled.
"Consequently, we were operating under a plan which was no longer helpful for the management of Canada geese, and so we have decided to revert to the Act instead," he said.
Mr Watson said the Act did not include population target levels for the birds, so the council could "start afresh" in terms of culling operations.
"We can talk directly to affected landowners and hunters about the birds and what needs to be done."
A five-yearly cull involving the killing of about 4000 Canada geese was undertaken by Fish and Game Otago staff last month.
It cost the council an estimated $30,000; affected landowners and hunters also contributed.
Mr Watson said the council was concerned about increasing migration of Canada geese to the South Island, which could render even the most extreme culling operations ineffective in dealing with skyrocketing population levels.
It resolved to investigate the feasibility of having a Canada goose working party within the council, which could include hunters and directly affected landowners, in an attempt to manage high bird populations and reduce problems associated with them.
