I recieved a lengthy email from DNR, the gist of which is "A viral disease called EHD appears to be infecting, and often killing, wild white-tailed deer in west central Indiana."
They advise observing the animal before you take it. If it acts strangly or has red or bluish muzzle, to pass the shot.
If you want a full copy of the email posted here, let me know.
EHD is not new, gives the deer flu-like symptoms. High fever makes them seek out water to cool down. That is why you usually find them near water. EHD is non-transferrable to humans or domestic animals. Caused by a small parasite on the deer. I have investigated several such deer fatalities. The only one that was witnessed was in Switzerland County several years back. The witness watched an apparently healthy deer walk out of the woods into his yard and just fell over dead. His home was along a creek. I had to transport this deer to a Purdue Ag Center for testing. It came back positive for EHD. The deer had no apparent physical signs. It looked totally healthy, except for the fact it was dead, of course.
Everyone be careful and have a safe fun hunting season!! Please don't forget to wear your safety harnesses when hunting from treestands. If you have any questions, just ask.
Andy
__________________
To know what is right, and not do it, is the worst form of cowardice.
This is Dennis. I usually hear about it, about this time every year. I've never seen it first hand though. I belive the incidence falls off after cold weather.
According to the farmer in the one area we hunt, there is a crippled doe he has seen. Sounds like a car, or farming accident, but who knows. I guess if she came by, I suppose you would want to take her. Being good stewards of wild life and all. But you probably wouldn't want to eat her. Perhaps let nature decide? I don't know. One Job of predators is remove the weak and injured to make the whole stronger. We have plenty of tags. I just hope I don't see her.
EHD does not affect humans, nor impact the safety of consumed deer. EHD is caused by the bite of an infected midge and once there has been a hard freeze, the insects die off for the winter, eliminating new cases of EHD. Most significant disease of white-tailed deer in the United States Virus identified and described in 1955 in NJ. Enzootic to Southeastern United States. Outbreaks often associated with drought. Can result in high deer mortality in some areas. EHD Symptoms:
Symptoms vary depending on virulence of the virus and resistance of the deer. Animals may appear feverish Have pronounced swelling of head, neck, tongue, and eyelids May have respiratory distress Internal hemorrhaging Highly virulent strains may cause death in 1-3 days. Carcasses often recovered near water. EHD Transmission:
The EHD virus is not appear to be transmissible to humans. The virus deteriorates in <24 hours after death and cannot be spread from dead deer carcasses The virus does not appear to be a threat to livestock. There appears to be no risk associated with direct exposure to the virus or in consuming a deer that has been infected with the virus. However, never kill or eat a sick deer. Use rubber gloves to field dress deer.
Is this what they used to refer to as "Blue Tongue"?
Sounds like the same thing and the time frame seems right since the last big out-break.
Andy,
I got another email that if I read it right, says we can now (with a carry permit) conceal carry a pistol while bow hunting. I don't know that I need or want to, but just wanted to know if that's really the case.
Yep! That's right! If you have a permit to carry a handgun, you can now carry it while on DNR properties and while hunting. However, it did not affect the spotlighting law. You still cannot possess any bow or firearm while spotlighting deer.
As for EHD. I hope you all didn't think I meant it was alright to eat a sick deer. I would never and have never advocated that. I was just pointing out that it may be hard to tell if a deer has EHD by watching it. The deer I mentioned in Switz. County seemed normal to the witness until it fell over dead.
While I'm at it, I might as well tell on myself. Went out hunting for the first time tonight. Did something I haven't done on a live deer in quite some time. I missed. Yep, eighteen yard chip shot downhill and I went right over her back. Didn't help that she dropped at the shot. I was about three inches high on the shot, she did the rest. Gotta envy those quick reflexes.
Good luck to all and stay safe out there!
Andy
__________________
To know what is right, and not do it, is the worst form of cowardice.