If you can count the amount of ducks you saw on the opening morning of the general-season hunt on one hand, it might not necessarily mean you suck at hunting.
According to an Oct. 5 press release from Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources, it is suspected that tens of thousands of northern Utah’s birds have died from avian botulism this season.
Avian botulism — a disease that occurs almost annually in Utah and most often affects waterfowl, shorebirds and gulls — has a paralytic effect on birds and is often fatal to them. According to the press release, it can rob birds of the strength to even lift their heads, leaving them unable to take flight.
This year, the deadly condition’s outbreak has been particularly devastating.
“DWR biologists first discovered dead and sick birds in mid-September in the Willard Spur and Harold Crane waterfowl management areas,” the release reads. “While the exact number of birds that died can’t be confirmed with certainty, DWR biologists estimate tens of thousands were impacted, particularly in the areas of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Willard Spur Waterfowl Management Area.”
According to Jason Jones, the DWR’s waterfowl coordinator, the organization is no stranger to the risks of the disease on the winged residents of Utah.
“Our wetland managers strive to make adjustments in their water management practices on state waterfowl management areas in order to keep freshwater flowing, which help minimize the impacts of avian botulism,” Jones is quoted as saying in the release. “Many of the waterfowl management areas were originally created to reduce the botulism outbreaks that occurred along the river deltas a century ago.”
Though the official cause of this year’s outbreak is not known for certain, DNR public information officer Faith Jolley told The Park Record biologists think this year’s warmer water conditions fostered an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria that causes avian botulism.
According to Faith, the last large outbreak happened in 1997 when “an estimated 514,000 waterfowl died from a botulism outbreak at the Great Salt Lake.”
While avian botulism typically doesn’t spread to humans, the DNR still recommends hunters take steps to mitigate risks. The release recommends individuals cook their game-meat thoroughly, harvest actively-flying birds and avoid any birds that appear sick.
Dogs should also be kept away from sick birds, the release adds, as they can become sick from eating infected meat.