Reports Of EHD Are Coming In From ND Over The W-End

EHD is Rearing it's Ugly Head

Reports over the weekend on my social media feeds say EHD in North Dakota is back, and it may be widespread across the state's southwestern region. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, known as EHD, is a serious and often fatal viral disease that affects mostly white-tailed deer.

(It was a gruesome scene back in 2021 in one of the pheasant fields I hunt where I counted over 20 dead deer that died to EHD that day)

WARNING: Disturbing photo below.

Rick Rider

What Causes EHD

Tiny biting flies called midges, that look like gnats, transmit the virus. Outbreaks happen mostly in late summer and early fall. Dry weather and droughts make outbreaks worse because mud flats form where midges breed. I guess we check the boxes for those two. The disease does not spread from one deer to another. When deer do become affected, you will often see them stumbling because of a very high fever. This weak, tired, or lame appearance often leads them near water to cool down, where they often die. Death can happen in one to three days once affected. Nature can be very cruel.

EHD Reports in North Dakota

As I mentioned, reports started coming in over the weekend from landowners and hunters. Some of the affected areas mentioned include Zap, Regent, Dickinson, Linton, Hettinger, New England, Lake Tschida, Elgin, and it appears areas south of Flasher are some of the hardest areas hit in the state, with numerous reports of large numbers of animals dead.

(SEE ALSO: What's Going On in with Our Deer Population in North Dakota)

This is bad news for the white-tailed deer in southwest North Dakota, which were already struggling to recover from previous EHD outbreaks that were pretty serious in recent years, especially in 2021. If you have notice a recent rash of dead deer on your property you should contact the North Dakota Game and Fish.