Fish and Game Monitors Sage Grouse for West Nile

This year, sage grouse deaths from West Nile virus have been reported in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Oregon - eight sage grouse have tested positive in Idaho. Idaho Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologists are monitoring sage-grouse in response to the recent outbreak of the virus. This year, two sage grouse in Owyhee County, one in Twin Falls County and five on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation on the Idaho-Nevada border have tested positive for West Nile. In addition, 16 sage grouse on the Duck Valley Reservation and about 30 sage grouse in Owyhee County have been found dead by tribal and department officials. West Nile infection is suspected in most of them. Livestock operators and antelope hunters also have reported seeing unusual numbers of dead sage grouse in Owyhee County. Many birds are susceptible to West Nile, including crows, magpies and ravens. In recent years, sage grouse in Wyoming, California, Colorado, Montana and Alberta have died from the virus. Department biologists are checking on about 150 radio-collared sage grouse on eight study areas in Idaho. Their status will help biologists know more about the extent of the infection in the state. Fish and Game and other agency biologists also have been alerted to collect any reported sick or dead sage grouse. Sage grouse in most of Idaho are not known to be infected with West Nile, but the department asks anyone who sees sick or dead sage grouse to contact the department as soon as possible. Dead sage grouse can be refrigerated and taken to a department office. Because West Nile is a mosquito-borne disease, the risk of handling a potentially infected sage grouse is minimal. Cooking to over 170 degrees kills all viruses in all meat, including gamebirds. To report sick or dead sage grouse contact any Fish and Game regional office or the Idaho Wildlife Health Lab in Caldwell at 454-7638.