As I understand it only crows,ravens,magpies, and bluejays are infected with the virus.
So I would only think that hunters that hunt this type of bird would worry about it.

They also say that mosquitos carry this virus. In the warmer climates were this insect thrives use plenty of bug spray with deet.

I don't think this will effect bird hunters any more than other people who like to get out. The transmission path is:

->mosquito bites infected bird

->mosquito carries virus

->infected mosquito bites human

So it is the mosquito's you have to look out for. Unless you live in an area with biting birds.

We have a couple of cases up here but as stated it was only found in a bluejay and a crow. I'm not worried yet be will keep on top of it as it comes more to light.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife released this a few weeks ago. Pretty good info on West Nile Virus:

http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Texas/West_Nile_Virus_and_Hunters_09...

I just rerad a article in Ducks Unlimited Website about the virus. It has been found in many different birds including mallards, wood ducks, sandhill cranes, I can't remember the rest. DU thinks that for some reason the wild birds are immune as the only birds found to be infected come from zoos.
http://www.ducksunlimited.org/news/west_nile_virus_september_2002.asp#

There is the link to the article.
Wacko

Hey Oneeyedwacko, that does sound strange that only zoo birds would get it rather than wild birds too. Maybe it is just more common in zoo animals...

BTW, Nice handle. :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: bitmasher on 2002-09-23 20:53 ]

Thanks!! I got the nickname from buddies several years ago and it kinda stuck so I use it on the forums i go to.
wacko

The Minnesota DNR is recommending you use gloves when butchering game birds to avoid West Nile Virus infection.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/releases/index.html?id=1033155292

My wife works for a vet diagnostic lab and has found it. She said in animals and humans every one that has been diagnosed with it has already had some other health problem or was really old.

That makes sense, usually the old or sick are the first to get hit with the Flu (just another virus) too.