LANSING, MI - A disease blamed for killing more than 4,000 deer in Michigan is not going to stop hunting seasons this year, the state’s Department of Natural Resources reiterated Monday.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease has been confirmed in 24 Michigan counties since this summer. The viral disease causes extensive internal bleeding and is transmitted by a type of biting fly called a midge.
The counties where deaths have been reported are generally in the southern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The DNR expects more dead deer will be found as farmers harvest their crops and hunters take to the field this year. But the first hard frost should kill the flies that have transmitted the disease.
The DNR says “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.”
The agency says it has fielded “numerous” calls from hunters asking if deer hunting seasons will be closed this year, and the answer is no – seasons will continue as planned, including the main statewide archery season that begins Oct. 1. But there could be changes on tap for next year.
“We will continue to monitor this unfortunate situation,” Russ Mason, the DNR wildlife division chief, said in a statement. “I understand how important the deer resource is to people. ... 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 largest number of confirmed or probable deer deaths this year has come in Ionia County with more than 1,600. More than 300 deaths have been reported each in Branch, Calhoun and Kent counties.
The DNR encourages hunters to stay aware of confirmed outbreak areas and “adjust, if appropriate, their hunt and harvest plans.”
The DNR says that EHD outbreaks killing deer in Michigan have occurred in isolated areas almost every year since 2006. But this year’s outbreak is far worse than normal. Some other Midwestern states are dealing with EHD outbreaks this year because of the hot, dry weather earlier this summer.
The disease comes on suddenly. Deer lose their appetite and their fear of humans, and salivate heavily. Deer ultimately can fall unconscious, and because of a high fever associated with the disease, they often are found sick or dead near rivers and lakes.
The DNR says there is no known effective method to treat or control EHD.
Property owners who discover dead deer or want to talk to a wildlife biologist should contact their nearest DNR office.
Poster Comment:
I've counted 27 dead deer on approx. 80 acres and I wasn't even looking that hard. Damn few deer left around here and you can actually smell the death in the air. Never seen anything like it. This is a major deer kill for us while the DNR is downplaying the scope of the problem in hopes of still selling deer license.
