News for hunters

Four greater sage grouse have died from West Nile virus in northwest Colorado. What does that mean, other than the fact that grouse are susceptible to the virus?

It means something to hunters, say researchers at the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The blue grouse (pictured here) season is under way and a greater sag grouse season begins Saturday in some parts of the state. There is no evidence that people can become infected from the virus by eating infected meat, but grouse hunters and others are at risk if they are bitten by mosquitoes in areas with West Nile activity.

DOW researchers found the grouse in the Danforth Hills, Cold Springs Mountain, and Axial Basin areas of Moffat County.