Nothing like a good hoax

Notice Concerning Avian Flu a Hoax

An official-looking notice announcing cancellation of Florida’s 2006 turkey hunting seasons is a hoax.

According to the bogus notice, delivered to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) via fax, several cases of avian influenza in Northwest Florida wild turkeys prompted closure of this year’s turkey hunting seasons, and possibly subsequent years’ through 2009, as well. It says the action is necessary to prevent the disease from spreading through other wild bird populations.

The FWC and other agencies across the continent are monitoring bird populations for signs of the disease. To date, they have discovered no cases of the highly dangerous form of the disease. As part of the FWC’s avian influenza surveillance, scientists investigate reports of bird deaths and ask that anyone who finds dead birds note the details online at MyFWC.com/bird or contact the local FWC office. Further information about avian influenza is available at MyFWC.com/bird/avianinfluenza.htm.

Florida’s fall turkey hunting season is Nov. 23-26 and Dec. 9 – Jan. 14 in the Northwest Hunting Zone, and Nov. 11 – Jan. 7 in the Central and South zones. Spring turkey hunting season is March 17 – April 22 in the Northwest and Central zones, and March 3 – April 8 in the South Zone. Hunters also may take turkeys during archery, crossbow and muzzleloading gun seasons before the fall season begins.

Holmes County has no fall harvest of turkeys, and the spring harvest there is limited to March 17-19 to enable the county’s depleted turkey population to rebuild.