EHD in Michigan deer...

[Coach]

Just reading this latest report from the DNR (same as TWRA) on EHD in the deer up here in the north. DNR is asking for help from hunters in reporting dead deer.

Apparently, a substantial number of dead deer (10,400) have been reported in 29 counties across the state. EHD is caused by a virus transmitted by a biting fly called a midge here in MI. Deer suffer extensive internal bleeding, lose their appetite and their fear of humans. Due to the high fever caused by the disease sick and dead deer are more often found near bodies of water.

This is pretty bad for future seasons in the old Winter Wonderland State.

 

[Pursuit Hunter]

Yep, it will hurt the population for the next couple years. Here's one bright side... The only time I've had any luck rattling in middle TN was in 2008, the year after EHD decimated the herd. Maybe next year will be a good time to rattle up a good one.

Do you know if the outbreak includes Leelanau County? I have some property there, but don't get up to hunt very often.

 

[Coach]

Ferg has some property up around Alpena too...here's the map

 

[Winchester]

Hate to hear that!

 

[BSK]

We had a devistating EHD outbreak in Middle and West TN in 2007. In some of those areas, the herd has yet to fully rebound (probably a good thing). But as other have mentioned, antler quality was at its highest point in the year or two after the dieoff, as fewer mouths were competiting for the best food resources.

 

[Coach]

I remember that BSK...heard locals talking about finding dead deer. Seems like a horrible way to go for the deer infected.

In Michigan the epicenter of the outbreak seems to be Ionia County where one farmer reported 40 dead deer in a 3 acre marsh. It appears that this doesn't effect the meat but I'm not sure I'd eat one. And fortunately, humans are not effected either by the fly bite or from the deer directly. It also appears that the growing Michigan elk herd is not effected by EHD