Avian Flu & Botulism

[CP]

Anyone else seeing a lot of dead birds in their pre-season scouting?  I have.  Maybe it’s just highly competent coyotes, but I’m wondering if this is going to be a significant problem again this year. 

https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/botulism-outbreak-klamath-refuge-update/

[metlhead]

Just the thieving kind around my place. Prolly start to see waterfowl dead about 0651 Saturday.

[MeepDog]

I was out last weekend in McNary and my dog came out of the cattails with a duck in his mouth. It was barely alive and likely sick.

He's a good boy, bringing me ducks I didn't even shoot.

[hdshot]

Wow, refugee finding 500 dead birds a day!  Just the last thing we need especially after poor breeding survey reports in just the past few years.

[h2ofowlr]

Haven't seen any signs of it this season so far.  Not like the past two seasons where it was noticable.

[jackelope]

Avian flu is still active in Washington for sure. Sporadic outbreaks here and there.

[hdshot]

Heard something about the bird flu was found in a pig? Sounds like the first time detected in a pig and could be closer for the virus to spread human to human now?

[metlhead]

All the nukes will cure it. Yum, pigs and ducks morphed. Sweet manna meat

[YoungFowler]

Saw an avian flu cackler in SW Wa today. Swimming in circles, unhealthy posture, little fear of people. Didn't appear to be crippled. First one I've seen this year.

[hdshot]

Saw an avian flu cackler in SW Wa today. Swimming in circles, unhealthy posture, little fear of people. Didn't appear to be crippled. First one I've seen this year.

Hope it didn’t have the poultry strains of bird flu that wild birds might have to be dealing with now which and from what I glanced at could be a problem. We will see. 

[hdshot]

All the nukes will cure it. Yum, pigs and ducks morphed. Sweet manna meat

Does not sound yum we are now experiencing the same as Europe and Asia.

HPAI cases have now been confirmed in both domestic and wild birds in numerous locations throughout Canada and the United States. The strain of HPAI now present in North America has caused extensive morbidity and mortality events in a range of wild bird species, similar to that seen in Europe and Asia.  https://www.fws.gov/avian-influenza#:~:text=Highly%20pathogenic%20avian%20influenza%20(HPAI)%20viruses%20can%20severely%20affect%20domestic,seen%20in%20Europe%20and%20Asia.

Could be another cause for plummeting duck numbers in my area?!

[metlhead]

My area has plummeting numbers due to toxic iron poisoning.

[mboyle0828]

My area has plummeting numbers due to toxic iron poisoning.

Is it the #4s you’ve been feeding em?

[metlhead]

7/8oz at a time

[hdshot]

My area has plummeting numbers due to toxic iron poisoning.

That’s impossible because iron is not toxic. Hope you’re not using lead because that is toxic.

[metlhead]

It sure is toxic. Gonna watch it kill seven birds tomorrow. No need for lead cuz I shoot em in the face while hovering over the blocks. Just put the bead right on em. Ha, see what I did there. Lead/Lead   Killin me

[hdshot]

It sure is toxic. Gonna watch it kill seven birds tomorrow. No need for lead cuz I shoot em in the face while hovering over the blocks. Just put the bead right on em. Ha, see what I did there. Lead/Lead   Killin me

Just depends what is is.  Lead is still toxic! Good job I didn’t think you would get that one!

[metlhead]

Yep, iron is toxic

[hdshot]

Yep, iron is toxic

Good job! Still trying and struggling on the east side as a general public hunter like myself for several years now.  Still early though but then have to take possible over crowding in account as well. Not enough for everyone unfortunately.  Plus the gas prices might stay at toxic after the carbon initiative failed miserably!  At least that’s what I understand. 

[metlhead]

Plenty of space for everyone. Wetside we got less public land and a couple more people. Just gotta put in the effort. Took a buddy out this morning and put 10 birds down by 0830 with more opportunities. All public land. I explained to him how this spot works and why folks don't hunt it. Him and other fellas are out on their own gettin new spots figrd out and growing sucess. Westside early season is tough to beat cuz we got lotsa birds. Come Dec. I'd be beside myself right of the Hump with so much space. Wfowl every morn and quail every afternoon. Got it good over there. Put in the work

[hdshot]

Mcnary is only producing 2.5 birds per hunter atm. Last year shows only about 2.5 birds per hunter for season almost three times less than the daily bag limit. Their statistics go back to 2015-16 seasons shows 4 birds per hunter for the entire season.  Not an expert trying to figure out percentage but I believe that adds up to about a 37% loss of birds per hunter in almost 10 years.  Not good for the ones that have to travel 100’s of miles one way to hunt there like I would with no hunt partner.  No hunt boat either and limited to only reasonable places with parking as a must. 

[hdshot]

Have to always appreciate a Bob Uecker joke.

list=WL&index=2&pp=gAQBiAQB

[metlhead]

So don't be a low statistic. Stay away from McNary and kill lotsa birds where they are at. I honestly think most refuges are a joke when it comes to hunting if using the known hunt areas. Especially numbered blinds.  Birds got them pegged.

[metlhead]

How bouts all the Corps land across the river? Huntable? Find a way to access it if it is.