Avian Flu

Check for updates on restrictions in the area you are planning to hunt.  

Contact your local CTA for updated information.  

Avoid hunting game birds and waterfowl in areas where an outbreak of Avian flu has been reported.   

Stay up to date on your vaccines for protection from tetanus and for common respiratory diseases like flu and COVID-19. 

Make sure that your dogs’ rabies vaccines are up to date and bring the paper proof with you.  

Wear different sets of clothing. Have designated clothing for when you hunt and handle your harvest that is separate from when you are not in contact with game.  

Have a designated area to change out of your hunting gear if possible. 

Bring a separate pair of shoes to wear in the area where you disinfect your harvest, or clean rubber footwear before entering or leaving the area.   

If you see a dead or sick bird that you haven’t shot or harvested, don’t touch it with bare hands.   

You can dispose of it according to traditional practices using boughs, or through burning and burying. 

Don’t transport a suspected infected bird back home.   

Pluck and gut birds in the field, or in a well-ventilated setting where you can wash or sanitize your hands.  

Use rubber gloves to prevent contamination.  

Don’t handle, process, or cook sick fowl. If you have doubts – don’t risk it!  

Cooking meat and eggs makes them safe to eat, even if they are infected with Avian flu. 

Follow regular food safety recommendations when cooking your harvest to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. 

Do not touch a sick bird or one that you found dead. Call your local CTA – they might be able to get it tested. 

If you do come into direct contact with a sick or suspicious dead bird, monitor yourself for symptoms for 10 days. 

If you become ill and develop flu-like symptoms (like fever and cough) after handling sick birds or birds that were found dead, inform your doctor right away. 

Birds like chickens or pet birds can become sick if infected with Avian flu or from other natural causes. Consult your veterinarian or local CTA for assistance.  

Keep birds and their food and water away from wild birds.  

Limit visitors, especially hunters or other people who have been in recent contact with wild birds.   

Avoid gutting, plucking, and butchering wild birds near your flock.   

Keep butchering tools and anything that has been in contact with wild birds away from your flock.  

Change clothes and boots worn for hunting or handling wild game before you go near your flock.   

Clean your boots with a brush, soap and water or disinfectant if you don’t have a separate pair.