Waterfowl Seasons Open; Asian Bird Flu Not Found

Time to clean the shotgun and dust off the decoys, waterfowl seasons open in Idaho Saturday, October 7 in northern and eastern Idaho and October 14 in southwestern Idaho and the Magic Valley. But hunters concerned about bird flu can rest easier in their frosty early-morning duck blinds. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, in coordination with other federal and state agencies, is participating in a nationwide surveillance program to test wild birds for avian influenza this year. In Idaho more than 300 ducks have been trapped and tested for avian influenza in Idaho this summer and fall. None of the birds tested so far in Idaho, or anywhere else in North America, have tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza found recently in Asia-mostly in domestic birds. This includes 13,000 birds tested in Alaska this summer where some wild Asian birds come to nest and where they could potentially infect North American birds. Of the 144 strains of avian flu that exist in birds, only a few are highly pathogenic to birds and rarely cause diseases in humans. About 15 percent of the Idaho birds tested positive for influenza; final testing is ongoing, but all results so far indicate that other types of influenza, rather than the Asian strain, were present. Fish and Game plans to continue testing birds this fall, including at hunter check stations. Results will be released as they become available. Waterfowl hunting is one of the great outdoor experiences of living in Idaho. Hunters are encouraged to use a few simple common sense precautions to fully enjoy this hunting season: ¥ Do not kill game that is obviously sick. ¥ Keep your game cool, clean and dry. ¥ Wash your hands after handling game. ¥ Use rubber gloves when cleaning game. ¥ Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game. ¥ As with all meat, clean cooking tools and surfaces thoroughly. ¥ Cook game meat to 165 degrees to kill any virus present. Remember smoking may not always heat meat to 165 degrees. Hunters must have a valid hunting license and a federal migratory game bird harvest information program validation, and hunters 16 years old or older must have a federal migratory bird stamp. Nontoxic shot is required to hunt waterfowl. For season and limit details, please consult Idaho waterfowl hunting regulation for 2006-2007, available in print at all license vendors and at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.