Health Advisories (PFAS PCBs)
Migratory Game Birds
Other Important Information
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS): To prevent the spread of VHS, a viral disease that affects fish, water must be drained from all boats, boat trailers and equipment immediately after exiting the water and before leaving the bank or shore of all waters statewide.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): The virus was detected in many species of waterfowl this year. HPAI does not pose a food safety risk. However, recommendation for hunters in light of the presence of this virus are available on the DNR's Waterfowl Hunting webpage.
Bird Bands: If you obtain a bird band, visit the USGS' Banded Bird Encounter Reporting webpage to report the date and location of recovery and to receive information on your banded bird.
Importation: For information regarding the importation of migratory game birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 § 20.66. A copy can be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by contacting 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458, call 612-713-5320 or visit fws.gov.
Health Advisories
Contaminants such as PCBs and mercury build up in the body over time. Health problems linked to PCBs and mercury range from effects like poor balance or problems with memory, to a slight increase in your risk of a more serious disease like diabetes or cancer. Health professionals recommend limiting your exposure to PCBs and mercury in your diet as much as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration standard for PCBs in poultry is 3 parts per million calculated on a fat basis.
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products. These contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways. These chemicals are known to accumulate in the human body, posing several risks to human health, including certain cancers, liver damage and decreased fertility.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued the following health advice to protect you from exposure to PFAS, PCBs and mercury in waterfowl taken in the following areas:
| Lower Green Bay from Longtail Point across to Point au Sable and south to the mouth of the Fox River | Mallards: Do Not Eat |
| Green Bay from the city of Marinette across to Sturgeon Bay and south to Longtail Point | Mallards: 1 meal per month Wood ducks: 1 meal per week |
| Lower Fox River from Lake Winnebago at Neenah and Menasha downstream, including Little Lake Butte des Morts, to the northeast city limits of Kaukauna | Remove all skin and visible fat prior to cooking dabbling ducks using these waters. |
| Lower Fox River from the De Pere Dam to the river’s mouth at Green Bay and lower Green Bay south of a line from Point Sauble west to the west shore of Green Bay | Consumption of dabbling ducks should be limited to 1 meal/week for children and women of child-bearing years. |
| Sheboygan River from Sheboygan Falls downstream to the river’s mouth at Lake Michigan | Remove all skin and visible fat prior to cooking Canada geese using the Sheboygan River. |
| Sheboygan Harbor | No one should eat lesser scaup (bluebills) using this water. |
| Milwaukee River from Highway 167 (Thiensville) upstream to Lime Kiln Dam at Grafton and Cedar Creek from the Milwaukee River up to Bridge Road in the Village of Cedarburg | No one should eat mallard ducks using this water. |
| Milwaukee Harbor | No one should eat black ducks, mallards, ruddy ducks or any diving ducks using this water. |
| Waters in the City of Cedarburg | No one should eat Canada geese using these waters. |
| Whitewater Lake and Rice Lake, Walworth County | Consumption of Canada geese should be limited to one meal per month. |