Wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of avian cholera in geese from western Gibson County. Diagnostic testing was conducted at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center. The disease is not related to avian influenza.

Avian cholera is common among North American waterfowl, although the Gibson County detection is the first time the disease has been documented in wild birds in Indiana.

In total, about 350 birds – mostly snow geese – have been found dead since the beginning of December 2017. Tens of thousands of waterfowl spend winter in this part of the state, so the incidence of disease appears to be very low.

Avian cholera poses minimal risk to humans or to the commercial poultry industry, but it is highly contagious among wild birds, especially waterfowl. It is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), together with federal and private partners, has increased surveillance of waterfowl populations throughout the state and is carefully removing and disposing of carcasses to decrease the risk of transmission to other birds.

Avian cholera spreads through bird-to-bird contact, ingestion of food and water containing the infectious bacterium and scavenging of infected carcasses. Infected birds often die quickly, but might first appear sluggish and otherwise exhibit abnormal behavior. While the disease could result in high mortality rates in small areas, it is not expected to have a significant effect on overall waterfowl populations.

To help prevent the spread of avian cholera, waterfowl hunters in southwestern Indiana should consider cleaning and disinfecting their gear, including waders and decoys, using warm, soapy water. They should also use gloves when cleaning birds; avoid eating, drinking or smoking during cleaning; and thoroughly wash their hands afterwards.

Animals known or suspected to be ill should not be consumed.

Duck season in southern Indiana ended on Jan. 21, and goose season runs through Feb. 11. The Indiana Light Goose Conservation Order Permits program allows the harvest of light geese from Feb. 12-March 31.

Partners needed for community hunting program

The DNR is seeking community partners interested in participating in the Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) in 2018. In its second year, CHAP is an initiative through the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife to increase hunting opportunities for deer in urban and suburban areas.

Doing so can help alleviate human-deer conflicts. CHAP provides community partners with financial and technical assistance to administer hunting programs in their communities. As part of the program, managed hunts are administered by a certified CHAP coordinator trained in hunting safety, deer biology and public relations.

The community partner determines when and where managed hunts occur, what hunters can participate and which certified CHAP coordinator they use or contract. Eligible community partners include parks, homeowners’ associations and other land-managing entities.

Parties interested in participating must submit a grant application by March 31. For more information on CHAP, the grant application and the current certified CHAP Coordinators list, visit www.wildlife.IN.gov/9420.htm

NRC OKs two new nature preserves

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) approved two new nature preserves during its regularly scheduled meeting at Fort Harrison State Park. The action increases to 284 the number of state-designated sites protected by the Nature Preserves Act.

Calumet Prairie Nature Preserve in Lake County is in the northeastern portion of Lake County, within Lake Station. Measuring about 119 acres, it lies within the Northwestern Morainal Natural Region.

Owned and managed by the DNR Division of Nature Preserves, the site contains the largest sedge meadow and wet prairie natural community complex in Indiana, and provides habitat for associated rare plants and animals.

The approximately 519-acre Outbrook Ravine Nature Preserve, in Clark and Scott counties, encompasses a large, rugged area with a range of high-quality forest community types (mesic through dry), including the most northwestern extension of naturally occurring Virginia pine.

The Knobstone Trail, Indiana’s long-distance trail, traverses the site, which is owned and managed by the DNR Division of Forestry.

The NRC also received a report from the DNR review committee regarding a petition for rule change, to add standards to specifically govern cultivated ginseng seeds and plants. The committee agreed with the concept of allowing for separate rules for cultivated ginseng, but the current statute does not allow for such a separation. As a result, a change to the ginseng law will be required.

The NRC also granted final adoption for a rule to prohibit the use of an airborne human transportation device or an unmanned motor-driven airborne device (i.e., drone) on a DNR property, unless the operator has obtained a permit or is doing so in an area designated for the activity. The rule was granted preliminary adoption at the September 2016 NRC meeting.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.