Michigan Hunters Warned: Bird Flu Risk During Waterfowl Season

The 2025 waterfowl hunting season in Michigan is more than just crisp mornings and camouflage—it's also about the risk of catching bird flu from geese. Why? Because nothing says Pure Michigan like needing an appointment with a doctor after bagging your limit of ducks. But it's not just you that's in danger.

RELATED: Michigan Hunters Warned: Don’t Eat Deer Harvested Near This Marsh

What Is HPAI (Bird Flu) & How Long in Michigan

HPAI, also known as bird flu, has been hanging around the Mitten State since 2021, and now it's showing up in Canada geese, bald eagles, and even red-tailed hawks. With the fall migration ahead of us, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging waterfowl hunters to protect themselves and their pets against this nasty bug.

Human Risk: Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Even though the odds are low that humans can contract the bird flu in Michigan, it's not zero (comforting, I know). If you return from a hunt and start to feel symptoms similar to a bad cold, fever, sore throat, aches, and shortness of breath, you might have picked up HPAI. Your best defense is avoiding contact with sick or dead birds. If it looks like a feathered zombie, leave it alone.

Get our free mobile app

Protecting Your Dogs & Domestic Pets

And while you're staying away from deceased and sick animals, make sure your dog is, too. Don't let them gnaw on dead birds or spilled guts. If you have other pets at home, the DNR recommends you keep them away from your field clothes and equipment.

Don’t Stop Hunting, Just Be Smart

Michigan's waterfowl hunters are also encouraged to wear gloves and avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while cleaning birds—because mother pairs worse with a Marlboro than avian flu. Also, be sure to wash everything: your hands, knives, and even yourself.

RELATED: DNR's Preview For Michigan’s 2025 Deer Season: What to Watch

To be clear, the DNR isn't saying not to hunt, just to be careful. Michigan hunters are made of hardy stock, but bird flu shouldn't be what takes you down, especially when you can avoid it.