Ehd 10/26/12

[TheKingsDeer.com]

Hemorrhagic Disease Update​

As of the end of the day Friday (Oct. 26), 2,435 suspected Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) cases from 60 counties have been reported (2,280 reports & 60 counties on 19 October).

The number of deer reported for the week was less than last week with most being carcasses of deer that died in previous weeks. Some sick deer were still being reported in Davis, Guthrie, Monroe, Woodbury, and Warren counties during the week while none were specifically noted in reports from other counties. Currently, we are still waiting on the lab results from a Wapello County sample.

The trend in reporting for Iowa over the last 4 weeks is as follows: week of 1 Oct. – 493, week of 8 Oct. – 236, week of 15 Oct. – 185, and week of 22 Oct. – 155. The most recent numbers from other Midwestern states are Michigan – 10,430, Missouri – 5,513, Nebraska – about 5,600, South Dakota – over 3,300, and Illinois was at 2,400 reports but their reports have not been summarized for a few weeks.

Recieved this from the DNR with a map showing the counties and cases per county but couldn't post. Anyway, we are really looking bad in the Loess Hills. Our public hunting areas are hit the worse.

 

[seven twenty]

Do you think the public areas were actually hit worse or because they have more traffic, more were found?

 

[stickflinger]

Actually found 1 today. A dead doe floating in the creek. Looked like she had been there a couple weeks,

 

[Sligh1]

Take the state total and multiply it by no less than 10, yes... 10x. I'm a guilty party- found 14 now- didn't report one as well as every other land owner I talk to. Highest was 36 and none reported. I know, I know. I just dont have the time & nothing they can do anyways. Im an active person on my farm (while most farms folks stay out when warm) and just scouring edges where I won't intrude I found 14. Bet there's another 10 in there somewhere I'll find in spring. Very rare folks both find & report. The real # is exponentially higher.

 

[DarkArcher]

Take the state total and multiply it by no less than 10, yes... 10x. I'm a guilty party- found 14 now- didn't report one as well as every other land owner I talk to. Highest was 36 and none reported. I know, I know. I just dont have the time & nothing they can do anyways. Im an active person on my farm (while most farms folks stay out when warm) and just scouring edges where I won't intrude I found 14. Bet there's another 10 in there somewhere I'll find in spring. Very rare folks both find & report. The real # is exponentially higher.

Agreed....I have found nearly 10 and none reported and I am sure many more to be stumbled upon later.

 

[brand32-09]

The deer need to be reported so that the number of does tags can be reduced next year. The DNR needs a more accurate count of how many have died from EHD in order to push for lower tags. Every deer counts guys. I know its a hassle and I know people probably do not want the DNR out snooping around on their ground, but most of the time it is just a simple phone call and the write down how many you find and thats that. I would rather report a dead one then kill them all due to over harvest. Just a thought guys

 

[Greekhawk]

The deer need to be reported so that the number of does tags can be reduced next year. The DNR needs a more accurate count of how many have died from EHD in order to push for lower tags. Every deer counts guys. I know its a hassle and I know people probably do not want the DNR out snooping around on their ground, but most of the time it is just a simple phone call and the write down how many you find and thats that. I would rather report a dead one then kill them all due to over harvest. Just a thought guys

well said!!

 

[TheKingsDeer.com]

All good stuff, thanks for input. As far as "why" the DNR found more deer on public was because that is where they observe. Our units over here are thousands of acres. Some private ground is connected in the middle of the public but for the most part it's all public ground.

I spend a ton of time in the hills and they are as different to hunt as anywhere in the state. My observations are that the very limited water supplies are small water holes. I could easily see how they could become infected.

As we all know, habitat is the key to holding wildlife. The state does a great job with this aspect of management and that is why most of the animals are on public ground.

The biggest misconception about the "hills" is that a world record is behind every other tree and I would say far from it. The number of animals per square mile of habitat is probably one of the lowest in the state.

Anyway, it's a sad situation. It will take years to build a decent herd back up in so much of the area. I sat on the NRC back in the early 2000's and I am still in contact with Fish & Wildlife and agree with the post about letting them know what you find.