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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jul 18, 2012 14:30:08 GMT -5
Yesterday the NOAA (National Oceanographic & Oceanic Administration) confirmed that the drought plaguing much of the nation is the worst in over 50 years. That’s obviously bad news for farmers—and the rest of us--but the outlook might be equally grim for whitetails and the folks who hunt them. Hemorrhagic disease (HD), which includes EHD and blue tongue, goes hand-in-hand with drought and heat. Biologists in areas where these outbreaks occur are keeping an eye out for the first signs of deaths associated with the disease.
Both variants of HD are blood-borne illnesses caused by biting midges or flies. According to the Quality Deer Management Association, EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) and BTV (blue tongue virus) are nearly indistinguishable; infected deer may exhibit symptoms within 5 days of being bitten.
Animals become feverish and may exhibit a swollen head, neck, tongue or eyelids. Frequently deer will have difficulty breathing, lose interest in eating, and exhibit little fear of humans. Other classic signs are ulcers on the tongue and interrupted hoof growth. Though some whitetails survive HD and develop immunity, many whitetails infected for the first time will die within 10 days of exposure.
While southern states experience some level of HD outbreak almost annually, there is evidence the disease is spreading. Last fall, outbreaks occurred in eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, and southeastern New York. HD also hit deer hard in portions of Kansas, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. The disease hit North Dakota whitetail herds so hard that license sales were suspended in three deer management units.
Hunters are urged to report sick deer to their local wildlife officers and game managers. HD-infected deer frequently die near water sources
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Post by Woody Williams on Jul 18, 2012 14:53:01 GMT -5
EHD is bad business...
It has been a litle while since our last outbreak down here so a lot of the deer that did develop immunity and passed it on to their ofrfspring are probably gone.
The year we had it is was like mid-1970s all over again in deer sightings..Tough hunting.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2012 17:48:04 GMT -5
Not really, immunity gets built into the herd over time. There is always a few deer with EHD every year. I doubt that will be a repeat of a few years ago.
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Aug 11, 2012 21:05:24 GMT -5
My buddy just found a 9pt dead in Switzerland Co today.....They notified DNR to come get samples for EHD.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 21:08:12 GMT -5
My buddy just found a 9pt dead in Switzerland Co today.....They notified DNR to come get samples for EHD. Bummer! |
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Post by drs on Aug 12, 2012 6:43:56 GMT -5
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Aug 13, 2012 6:59:30 GMT -5
This article was on Eagle Radio 99.3 in Lawrenceburg, IN
Deer Being Killed By Drought-Related Disease
Last Updated: August 10, 2012 12:56:25 pm
(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A drought-related disease is killing off deer at such a fast rate that Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials fear it might become an epidemic.
DNR biologists say epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, is spread to deer by a small fly called the biting midge. The disease is often deadly for deer.
“Although the reports DNR is receiving are consistent with EHD episodes of past years, it’s important for testing to be done on viable samples before it can be confirmed,” said Chad Stewart, DNR deer management biologist. “Samples need to be collected within 24 hours of the deer expiring to be viable.”
Officials are waiting for the results of samples taken from more then 60 deer in Putnam and Morgan counties to confirm that the deer died from EHD. There are suspected cases in 11 counties total.
Deer infected with EHD may appear depressed or feverish. They often seek comfort in or around water. Other signs may include blue-tinted tongue or eyes, ulcers on the tongue, sloughed hooves or an eroded dental pad.
“If you see a deer that you suspect may have died from EHD, contact your local wildlife biologist to report the location and possibly arrange a sample to be collected,” Stewart said.
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