For You Biologists Out There

[A5]

With all of the talk about low numbers of birds seen in the lower Mississippi flyway this year I was wondering if anyone has thought about this:
With the large number of contracted flu viruses this year I was wondering if the ducks could have been affected as well. Avian Influenza affects waterfowl, and more particularly ducks, than all other avian species. Could there have been a correlation between the high number of Flu cases seen in humans and the number of possible avian cases as well, which could result in low numbers of birds migrating.
Weather patterns of course are different this year with it being warmer than usual as we have all seen, but could this play into it as well?
I could be way off here but let me know what you biologists out there think about this.

[Bama Duck]

You are reaching.....when would a wild duck come into contact with the flu virus? It all has to do with the weather, four weeks ago they were still limiting out in S. Dakota on greenheads as their season came to a close. There has also been Flood statements and warnings all over Southern Illinois for the past two to three weeks, why would a bird pass up more water, food, and less pressure to come down to the Ms delta? And who says there are not any birds in the delta? I hunt private land in north Leflore County and we have been steady all year, granted we are not limiting out everytime we go but our groups are killing 8 to 15 birds every time. This year has been much better than the previous two. I look for another good weekend this weekend, birds are around you just have to find them.

[QUACKERS]

HMMMM IF SO DROP A LOAD OF HALLS COUGH DROPS AND SPRINKLE OUT SOME THERA-FLU IN THE REFUGES AND IN MO. AND SEND THEM THIS WAY

[sportsman450]

birds are around you just have to find them.

The words of one of the FEW very lucky souls out there.Very few ducks are in the area,and most of them are on private land.I guess if somebody "found" your lease you'd let em come on in.

Go try to find them someplace else.Then,come back and talk about how many are around!

[the doctor]

I heard DU was dumping tons of cough drops and thera flu in the refuges in MO

theyll short stop em anyway they can, damn they just wont give up!!!

the doc

[cajun squealer]

HA! HA! Ducks catching the flu! I get it! They're in bed sick and just can't make the trip!

Well give them my sincerest regards!

GET A CLUE!

[A5]

Bama Duck, When you wrote "When would a wild duck come into contact with the flu virus?" you must not have been using your thinking cap there big guy. Viruses spread through many populations just as they do in human populations, but through different modes. Influenza is very prevelant in wild waterfowl species, being spread through feces in which it contaminates the water and other birds contract it. From this comment I can assume that you are not a biologist so I forgive you for the ignorant comment. If there is however a true biologist that could answer my previous question in my original post I would greatly appreciate it. And for the rest, go check yourself out a book on Avian Virology before making anymore ignorant posts. Thanks.

[RebelYelp]

I hunt the same club as bama duck. He in no way said we were all limiting out every trip, far from it, but the hunting has been steady all year, and it HAS been better than the past two as a whole. I've seen birds scattered across the entire delta this year in the same concentrations as his club, and for the most part they haven't been where they ''should'' be. Was at another club this past weekend and saw close to 200 mallards using a series of 3 flooded sloughs that usually don't hold water, i'm talking less than a foot of water depth on all 3, and they just seem to be holding ducks for some reason. I'm not gonna say that the flu theory is incorrect because i don't know, however even as rampant as it was this year and can be, we ( humans ) still dont' change our everyday patterns a great deal, and our brains are alot more complex than a ducks. The same goes with turkeys, here in SW Ms about 8-10 years ago blackhead ( avian pox ) swept through killing a very large percent of the turkey population, but the turkeys continued going to the source of the problem even as they were contracting the virus and dying. So the flu theory could be true, but i don't feel that it would change or slow the entire migration.

Jake

[Bullet]

Well A5 Im with bama duck with this one. Our group has been hunting in Tallahatchie county all year and crossed the 500 mark this past weekend. None of the ducks we shot seemed to have a fever or suffering from any flu like symptoms. The flu scenario may be the most far fetched excuse I've heard in a while. Good one. The problem isnt the flu, it is the summer like temps up north. Just wait til the weather cooperates and you'll see the ducks immune system is working fine and they'll all be back in Mississippi

[jroc]

I don't know about the ducks having the flu but I do know that they have given me AIDS............aquired income defficentcy syndrome.

[BeastMaster]

i work in the poultry industry and i work very closely with the company vetenarian... he has told us that ducks/geese population are almost 100% carriers of the avian influenza which will devastate a poultry operation.. i have been strongly advised to make sure and keep my duck hunting away from work, like keeping work clothes seperate as well boots etc...... that was a very legite question.. and i would be interested in hearing what sorta #'s a biologist would give for migratory population mortality due to AI ??

you would be amazed at the illnesses these birds have to endure as well as harsh weather conditions and hunters in every pot hole.


i know we have had an awful last 3-4 yrs of hunting but never overlook the simple fact that; granted killing is a huge part of the experience but there are many things accompaning a good hunt other than that. we are so priveledged to be doing what we do no matter the outcome. enjoy your fellowship with your friends and family.. notice the beautiful sunrise, the frost lifting off the grass, the distance quack of hopefull birds.. YOU COULD BE WAKING UP IN A HOSPITAL BED WONDERING WHAT ITS LIKE OUTSIDE!!! take a kid hunting !!!!