Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Guidelines for Waterfowl Hunters

A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) has been circulating in wild birds in North America since late 2021, causing sporadic mortality events in wild birds and mammalian scavengers, infections in domestic poultry and dairy cattle, and even several human cases in agricultural workers. Waterfowl are the main “reservoir” for avian influenza viruses and may carry them without exhibiting clinical signs of illness. Although no infections have yet been documented in waterfowl hunters in North America, safe handling guidelines have been developed. See the precautions for waterfowl hunters on the Virginia DWR website for more information.

New Bag Limits

• The daily bag limit for Northern pintails has increased from 1 per day to 3 per day.
• The daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from 2 per day to 1 per day.