Wanted: ducks for disease sampling

[Wendego716]

Howdy folks, I'm working on sampling ducks for avian influenza in the south sound area (Tacoma to Shelton, roughly), but things have been pretty slow at the public launches I've been visiting. I'm looking just for dabbling ducks, and it's just a cotton swab in the butt and one in the mouth (the duck's, not yours!). No damage to the meat, and if you want to breast them out first you can do that and I can dispose of the carcasses for you. They can be sampled up to 48 hours, so if you go out a couple days in a row I can grab them all in one trip. And I'm not collecting any personal information, just harvest location (though that doesn't have to be too specific).

If you get some ducks and don't mind having them sampled, send me a message and we'll make a plan. I appreciate any help I can get!

[Birdguy]

Not a duck hunter but a lot of you know I raise a few birds. Only helpful info will come from supporting this request. The test is quick and easy. When we had ducks years ago this was part of our annual testing done by the dept of Agriculture. This year we were actually warned by the state vet during our testing that they expected a surge of avian flu in the wild ducks. The more info they gather the better information they will have to help.

Shoot straight and have a great season!!

[metlhead]

Got some carcasses in the freezer from yesterday. They come off the coast. You are welcome to them.

[Wendego716]

Got some carcasses in the freezer from yesterday. They come off the coast. You are welcome to them.

Thanks, but unfortunately they need to be fresh, not frozen. If you get any more, let me know!

[Kola16]

Do the ducks have to be from the South Sound? I live in Belfair and travel through Tacoma, but hunt up North.

[Wendego716]

Do the ducks have to be from the South Sound? I live in Belfair and travel through Tacoma, but hunt up North.

We have a guy that's covering the north area, and he's had no trouble getting samples. I'd prefer to get ducks from down here to spread the samples out, so they're not all from the same ducks. If things slow down for him up there though, I might check back in with you if that's ok.

[Kola16]

Do the ducks have to be from the South Sound? I live in Belfair and travel through Tacoma, but hunt up North.

We have a guy that's covering the north area, and he's had no trouble getting samples. I'd prefer to get ducks from down here to spread the samples out, so they're not all from the same ducks. If things slow down for him up there though, I might check back in with you if that's ok.