Ehd update

[EdB]

Have you seen any signs of EHD in your hunting area? There have been some big deer kills from it up by Ionia. There have been some kills from it in my local area too. So far no sign of it where I hunt in NW Jackson county. I pulled a deer cam card and had lots of deer pics on it, about 50, in a week at that spot. That was a good sign for the area I hunt and no reported cases on the DNR township map. This is a real bummer for the deer herd in some places.

Here a MI map of cases as of Sept 25.

Here is some more info for Michigan:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10371_10402-286880--,00.html

DNR announces EHD now found in 24 counties

Contact: Brent Rudolph, 517-641-4903; Tom Cooley, 517-336-5030; or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

Agency: Natural Resources

Sept. 24, 2012

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health announced that epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been confirmed in 24 Michigan counties. For a list of all 24 counties, visit www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases and click on EHD, which is located in the center of the page under Spotlight.

The disease is caused by a virus that is transmitted by a type of biting fly. A constant characteristic of EHD is its sudden onset. Deer can suffer extensive internal bleeding, lose their appetite and fear of humans, grow progressively weaker, salivate excessively and finally become unconscious. Due to a high fever, infected deer often are found sick or dead along or in bodies of water.

At present, just over 4,200 dead deer have been reported in 24 counties. The DNR expects more dead deer to be found as farmers harvest their crops and hunters take to the field.

"Since July, the DNR, in cooperation with many, helpful volunteers, has been monitoring the EHD outbreak," said Brent Rudolph, DNR deer and elk program leader. "This is a horrible disease for hunters, DNR personnel and other wildlife enthusiasts to see affecting deer."

Rudolph explained that the first, hard frost should kill the flies. These insects have thrived this year due to the dry, hot summer. This year has seen a number of major outbreaks across the country, and EHD has been documented in all neighboring states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

The DNR has received numerous calls from hunters who have asked if deer seasons will be closed this year. They will not be closed; the deer seasons will go as planned this year.

Other callers have voiced concern with harvesting an EHD-infected deer. They have asked if deer infected with EHD are safe to eat. EHD does not affect humans, so edibility of the venison is not affected by this disease. There is no evidence that humans can contract the EHD virus either from the midge or from handling and eating venison.

Hunters in affected townships should anticipate seeing fewer deer this year. However, because EHD die-offs are localized, hunters in adjoining townships may not notice any differences. States that have had similar pronounced outbreaks in the past have consistently seen deer numbers in such localized areas rebound within a few years.

"We will continue to monitor this unfortunate situation," said Russ Mason, DNR Wildlife Division chief. "I understand how important the deer resource is to people. EHD is affecting me and my family as well because we are deer hunters. When we consider regulations for next year, there is no doubt that we will be factoring in the impact of this disease along with other influences on the deer population. Most likely, there will be changes to our management of deer in southern Michigan."

The DNR encourages hunters to stay aware of confirmed outbreak areas and adjust, if appropriate, their hunt and harvest plans.

Anyone discovering concentrations of dead deer or those seeking more information can contact their local wildlife biologist at the nearest DNR office. Office locations can be found at www.michigan.gov/wildlife under Wildlife Offices.

Because dead deer do not harbor EHD and cannot infect other deer, it's fine to leave carcasses where they are found. It's also fine to bury dead deer at a sufficient depth so that no parts are showing above ground. Finally, carcasses will be accepted at landfills that accept household solid waste.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

[Rascal Trophy Fishing]

Great post Ed, hadn't heard of this previously, very good documentation and information that all that hunt or own hunting land should know, thanks.

[luremaker]

I have a buddy that troll's the river down in allegan just on the ottawa county line and has see the deer die off first hand. Dead deer everywhere on the shore line ,at last count he has saw almost 40 in about a two mile . This area has been hit before about 3 years ago and was starting to come back but not I just don't see it.

[Just Hook'n]

We have 3 confirmed right by our building where I work (Walker, just south of 3 mile and Alpine). Sucks. Hate to see them just laying around like this.

[Line Dancin]

A lady i work with has 8 confirmed on their farm and the DNR expects that number to climb as soon as they start cutting corn. The are in ionia county.