Montana FWP Investigates Waterfowl Deaths Linked to Bird Flu

If you’ve been on the Bighorn River in the past few weeks, you may have seen something kind of disturbing. Lots of dead waterfowl. It’s not one or two here and there; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has verified that sick birds have been found, and avian flu appears to be the culprit.

What’s Going On?

FWP is still gathering data, but avian influenza (aka bird flu) has emerged as the strongest suspect so far in the die-off. If you’ve been paying attention to wildlife news in the last couple of years, you’ve probably heard some buzz about this virus wreaking havoc on birds across the United States. Now, it is hitting Montana hard.

Here’s what FWP has to say about the situation:

Should We Be Worried?

For anyone who spends time outdoors, be it hunting, fishing, or simply walking along riverbanks, this news deserves our attention. Although the risk to humans is low it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Here’s what to do to protect yourself and your hunting dogs:

• Do not touch dead or sick birds. But if you see them, report them to FWP instead.”
• Avoid letting dogs come into contact with carcasses. Some mammals, including foxes, bears, and even household pets, have tested positive for bird flu.
• Wash your hands. If you handle wild game, wash up well.

Cook your meat properly. Heat kills the virus, so be sure to cook your game birds to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

What Happens Next?

FWP and other wildlife agencies will continue to monitor the situation, but for now, it’s one we all need to watch. If you see high numbers of dead birds, report those to FWP, it helps them monitor for the spread of the virus.