Montana Bird Hunters Beware of Your Dog Near HAB’s

Fall has kicked in across Montana, and a sure sign of that is plenty of camouflage and hunter orange being spotted at gas stations, grocery stores, sporting goods stores and in the field.

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General rifle season is coming up, but waterfowl season opened this past weekend (October 4) in Big Sky Country.  As you prep to head to the field to hunt for fowl with your trusty dog, watch out for HAB's.  Those green areas of water known as harmful algal blooms.

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Montana Bird Hunters Beware of Your Dog Near HAB's

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks are warning game bird hunters to be aware of areas that may contain harmful algal blooms.  Those same blooms that we were warned about as recreationists earlier this year can also be detrimental to your prized bird dog.

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HAB's can appear in several different forms in waterways including pea soup, spilled paint, grass clippings, or water that is discolored.  MFWP advises the following for your dog while hunting:

If your dog gets into a waterway that you suspect is a HAB, rinse them off with clean water right away and don’t let them lick their fur.  Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet seems sick.

MFWP Advises Bird Hunters on Avian Influenza in Birds in Montana

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks also issued an advisory for hunters in the state about avian influenza in state waterfowl.  Although the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the risk of spread to the general public to be low, MFWP warns to be cautious while in the field.

The agency cautioned hunters by saying "Montanans should take precautions when handling harvested game birds or any sick or dead bird they find, since there have been detections this fall. Whenever possible, avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife. Even if a bird is not suspected to have died from a contagious disease, gloves should always be worn if a dead animal must be handled for disposal."