with crows carrying the west nile virus, why hasn't any governing body proposed a no closed season policy on them.

1. Crows are regulated by the federal government as migratory birds - part of the reason we can only hunt them here in NY during open seasons from Fri-Mon.

2. Although crows may carry the virus, they do not transmit it:

- From http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/

"About the Virus, the Disease, and Its Spread

West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals.

Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, on rare occasions, West Nile virus infection can result in severe and sometimes fatal illnesses.

There is no evidence to suggest that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person or from animal to person"

3. The govt. has declared open season on the mosquitoes that transmit the virus - if you need a good place to hunt them, let me know - we've got more than you can imagine in parts around here.

In VA, the old law used to say "crows are legal anytime they are going to or leaving from an act of predation", then the FEDS messed with it! Tomorrow I'm going groundhog hunting. And if a crow happens to present a shooting oppurtunity, I will oblige!! GHD

While the crows may not directly spread the virus to animals, birds are the reservoir host for the virus. The mosquitos must obtain it from the birds initially. Most mammals do not have a high enough viremia to infect mosquitos, so an infected horse or person is not a danger. A majority of the infected crows will die of the disease, while other species may not. There may be potential for concern in contact with infected bird tissues if you have an open wound.

MFH

Last week I found and reported an almost dead seagull that my dog was barking at on the shore of Lake Ponchartrain. I smacked it with a piece of iron and made the call. Turned out to be one of the few birds found this spring that has the virus!

They started a major "shock and awe" campaign against the mosquitoes using a twin engine plane with a spray bar. Scary stuff!