Disease precautions advised

Big-game hunters headed into the field last weekend with the beginning of archery big-tame seasons.

And, it seems to be a recurring theme in recent years that some wildlife disease will have a significant impact on big-game populations in localized areas.

Pat Fowler, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist in Walla Walla, said he hadn’t seen any disease issues as of early September, but southeastern Washington deer wouldn’t be out of the woods for impacts until later in October.

In Montana, bowhunters are being warned about potential problems with anthrax and brucellosis.

An outbreak of naturally- occurring anthrax hit Ted Turner’s Flying D Ranch during July and August, killing nearly 300 domestic bison.

At least 14 bull elk are known to have succumbed to the disease in that area between the Gallatin and Madison rivers, north of the Spanish Peaks. More dead animals, including two deer and a bear, were found as recently as the first week of September.

“Anthrax is caused by a naturally occurring bacteria that can lie dormant in the ground for decades, then become active under ideal soil and weather conditions,” said Ron Aasheim, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman.

Like many of these diseases, it’s seasonal, “occurring in late summer during periods of prolonged hot, dry weather after flooding or heavy rains.”

“The risk of a hunter being infected with anthrax is very low,” said Dr. Kammy Johnson at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Precautions include:

•Do not harvest animals that appear ill or are acting abnormally.

•Wear rubber (latex) gloves when field dressing game

•Minimize contact with animal fluids, brain and spinal tissues.

•Wash hands and instruments thoroughly after field dressing or processing.

•Cook all meat until well done before consuming.