REGIONAL

Urban bow hunting programs reduce deer populations

For decades, many cities across the US have been inundated with white tailed deer. These animals' populations continue to grow and increase public safety and disease concerns. 

There is a rising necessity among cities to hire sharpshooters with firearms or allow bow hunters with shorter-range weapons to kill and harvest the neighborhood ruminants. Ann Arbor, Michigan has even resorted to capturing, sterilizing, and releasing deer.

For many bowhunters, the urban landscape offers opportunities to hunt trophy sized deer who have lived with fewer predators and ample food. This also puts food in the freezer for many who do not have hunting access outside of city limits.

Polk County Iowa
Urban Deer Hunt

NATIONAL

Should conservation be funded by taxing birdwatchers and hikers? 

There was a time when Canada geese and white tailed deer were exceptionally rare, but thanks to effective conservation, those species and many other North American game were brought back from the brink. 

A large proportion of the US conservation depends on taxes from sportspersons. Nationally, the Pittman-Robertson Act harvests an 11% tax on hunting products, specifically used for wildlife conservation. At the state-level, annual hunting licenses, tags and stamps fund 60% of conservation efforts. 

Around 10% of Americans hunted 50 years ago, and unfortunately only 5% hunt now. Also, many baby boomers will be aging out of hunting sports soon, so we can expect a more rapid decline in conservation funds. In the near future, conservation may need funding from alternative outdoor hobbyists. 

Options to bolster future conservation efforts could look to bird based tourism (a quickly growing hobby), hiking, and other untapped American outdoor pastimes. 

NPR

INTERNATIONAL

South Africa experiencing an avian influenza outbreak in seabirds

You may remember the H5N8 Avian Influenza outbreak in 2017 that resulted in over 90 confirmed cases, depopulation of almost 3 million domestic birds, and crippled the poultry industries of South Africa.

A similar H5N8 type avian influenza virus was just detected among wild bird populations (including African penguins) inhabiting South Africa. 

The outbreak has not been confirmed or suspected of causing illness in people, but government authorities have halted bird research and discourage people from approaching wild birds. People can act as fomites by carrying the virus to domestic poultry.

Reuters
ENCA