Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to be a concern for biologists, especially with much evidence of it seen over the past week among migrating snow geese in eastern Arkansas, and hunters are urged to continue to be vigilant and report instances of dead or sick waterfowl that they encounter in the wild. The risk of humans contracting the disease remains low, but hunters can help further minimize that risk by following a few simple precautions listed at https://www.agfc.com/en/news/2022/11/23/waterfowl-hunters-should-report-signs-of-avian-influenza/ or on this week’s Waterfowl Report.
While the Arkansas waterfowl season is in the first “split” closure through next week, (reopening Dec. 10), outdoors enthusiasts, landowners and wildlife watchers (and the youth and veteran or active military hunters who are out hunting Saturday) who observe concentrations of sick or dead birds should contact the AGFC’s wildlife health program with any questions, information about the species, number of birds affected and location by filling out the form below (click the button for access). The AGFC and its partners are working to contain the outbreak of avian flu, which can affect all species of birds, including domestic chickens.
More information on avian influenza is available at agfc.com, Ducks Unlimited, and USDA APHIS’s website.
