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View Full Version : Iowa Hunters ***(Update1-14-08)***



JJ
01-09-2008, 09:58 AM
Dead Geese Being Investigated by the DNR at Saylorville
Posted: January 8, 2008

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating the deaths of several Canada geese in the Des Moines River below the Saylorville Dam.

Approximately 80 dead geese have been collected so far and approximately 20 others have been spotted that show signs of illness. Some of the dead birds that have been collected have been sent to the National Wildlife Health Laboratory in Madison, WI to determine the cause of death. The lab results are not expected to be back until the end of the week.

Reports of dying and ill geese were first reported around Jan. 1. The DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been collecting the affected geese on a daily basis during the last week-and-a-half.

Dead or dying geese in the Saylorville area should be reported to the Corps’ Saylorville headquarters at 515-276-4656.

For additional information on the investigation of the geese, contact Kevin Baskins at 515-281-8395.Investigation of Dead Geese Continues
Posted: January 14, 2008


***Updated***

DES MOINES — Additional dead geese collected below the Saylorville Dam have been sent to the National Wildlife Health Laboratory in Madison, WI, for further testing.

Approximately 95 dead Canada geese have been collected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers since the first of the year, although the number of dead and dying geese has dropped off significantly in the last week, said DNR Wildlife Biologist Scott Peterson.

Initial tests conducted by the lab in Madison last week were inconclusive which is why additional samples were sent there at the end of last week.

At this point, the lab has ruled out avian influenza, lead poisoning, fowl cholera and aflatoxin, a mold that can sometimes form on grain, according to DNR Wildlife Bureau Chief Dale Garner.

Reports of dying and ill geese were first reported around Jan. 1. The DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been collecting the affected geese on a daily basis during the last week-and-a-half.

Dead or dying geese in the Saylorville area should be reported to the Corps’ Saylorville headquarters at 515-276-4656.

For additional information, contact Kevin Baskins at 515-281-8395.

iawaterfowler88
01-09-2008, 11:12 AM
I think I saw one of these birds actually. I was driving along the dam one day and he was clear back by the woods, sitting there all by himself with the closest water a quarter mile away....I thought that he was acting a little strange. At that same time, there was a bunch of birds that were holding right next to the outflow so i wonder if that has anything to do with it? That would have been about the time that they started collecting this birds.

Thats hard on us because that river holds most of our birds in the winter, and we hunt saylorville usually, but this year the water was so high that we couldn't. Hopefully its nothing really bad.....

Silver Webfoot
01-09-2008, 11:27 AM
prob got zebra mussels under there wing.lets just say hopefully thats the cause and not the flu

Killer Miller
01-09-2008, 02:26 PM
That's pretty interesting to say the least. JJ, when they find out what it was can you post the new report on here for us to read. Thanks.

ia_young_gun
01-09-2008, 04:30 PM
keep us posted :?

H20-Fowl Hunter
01-09-2008, 04:31 PM
I hope its not birds dying from stupid kids shooting lead shot into them and getting lead poisoning

JJ
01-09-2008, 09:17 PM
I will post it as soon as I find it! Don't order the Mcgoose sandwich until we find out. :lol:

iawaterfowler88
01-10-2008, 12:53 PM
I hope its not birds dying from stupid kids shooting lead shot into them and getting lead poisoning

If it was a couple, then I say maybe, but 80-100 birds.....highly unlikely. Especially in the area they are being found, because its a high traffic area for fishermen and the main roads along there. Not to mention that whole area is controlled by the Army Corps so its highly unlikely that a gun would go off in that area and these birds feed in town mostly.

iawaterfowler88
01-10-2008, 12:55 PM
prob got zebra mussels under there wing.lets just say hopefully thats the cause and not the flu

Pray that its not Zebra mussles either, that would ruin a great early season crappie lake and a late season white bass hot spot. Not to mention the cat fishing below the dam in the summer.....

JJ
01-14-2008, 07:48 PM
I will keep the articles coming as I find them.

kingkilla
01-14-2008, 10:58 PM
At this point, the lab has ruled out avian influenza, lead poisoning, fowl cholera and aflatoxin, a mold that can sometimes form on grain, according to DNR Wildlife Bureau Chief Dale Garner.