Avian Disease Awareness

Do not harvest or handle a bird that appears visibly sick, has unusual growths, discharge, or lesions, or was found already dead or dying before being shot.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has affected wild bird populations, including waterfowl, in recent years — hunters should follow current CDC and USDA APHIS guidance on precautions (wearing gloves while field-dressing, washing hands thoroughly, cooking to a safe temperature) rather than this page's own summary, since official guidance can change as the disease situation evolves.

Cooking to the safe minimum internal temperature (165°F for poultry, see this section's own food-safety topic) inactivates many pathogens in meat that is safely handled beforehand — but this guide does not claim cooking removes every possible hazard, and appearance/cooking alone do not substitute for not harvesting or handling a visibly sick bird in the first place.

This is deliberately general, safety-first orientation, not a medical or veterinary resource — consult current official CDC, USDA APHIS, or VDH guidance for any specific health question.