EHD?

[mq32shooter]

Have any of you witnessed or heard of a disease called EHD? It was supposed to have affected some of our local deer herd and from what I have witnessed ( or not witnessed!) this year I believe it to be true. It was supposed to have been brought on by drought conditions and stagnant water sources. Also I have seen 2 coyotes in my woods this year. I guess Im looking for an explanation to my lack of deer sightings this season.

[BT]

Nope...never heard of it.
Can you elaborate?

[mq32shooter]

Here is an old link I found:
www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/content/full/40/3/383

[mq32shooter]

Here is the WV DNR link reference this year:

www.wvdnr.gov/2007news/07news138.shtm

[davidhelmly]

It's pretty common here in the south, we call it Blue Tongue. It's been years since I have seen it here in Ga but I hunted KY opening weekend (Sept 1st) and found 2 dead does and 2 bucks at a water hole on the farm I was hunting. At that time it made #15,16,17, and 18 that they had found this year. I haven't talked to that land owner since then but I have read where they are still finding them in piles. If I understand it right it is passed from deer to deer by no-see-ums and flies. This is supposed to be the worst outbreak KY has had in 100 years. I foresee a large reduction of doe permits there next year.

[azslim]

Epizootic Hemoragic Disease

[bengal13]

I was talking with the deer biologist at the check station this past Saturday. He said EHD and Blue Tongue are two separtate diseases. EHD is caused by small parasites called "midges". We had an outbreak of EHD last year in West-Central Indiana and as a result the local deer population is down 25-30% this fall.

Hot dry weather makes it worse and the first freeze will stop it.