EHD potential?

[6x6]

We were talking about summer deer bloodsuckers,mosquitoes, flies, ticks, gnats and the no-see-ums on the ozonics thread, and got to wondering what the potential for an EHD outbreak this year is. I still have not figured out which is worse a dry year or a flooding wet year like this,since the no-see-up population will be off the charts, which is what speads the EHD,with all the mud from the flooding they breed in. All I know is the worst outbreak I have seen was in 2008. It was on another farm I hunt. It was the only soybean field in the area with a creek and 2 stagnant ponds. Almost every adult buck and alot of mature does died. I think it was because it was a real dry year and all the deer there were congregating on the only beans and water. Anyone else that has had an outbreak of bluetounge/EHD have a theory?

 

[cedar creek]

2008 was a wet year in eastern Iowa. Major flooding.

 

[6x6]

Not here, you got all the rain. The peak seems to be in late august and september when it is real dry.

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

We lost 6 bucks and I forgot how many does in 2008. They died right around late August/early September. All were partially in velvet or just shed velvet. I hope we don't get it this year... that stuff stinks. I remember walking cricks to just take inventory of what was gone for the fall.

 

[6x6]

LHA, yeah it was definately more south of town in your area. Every buck I had on camera from the summer died, but some different nice bucks moved in by november on that farm about 5 miles south of town.On my farm I find a few nursing does almost every year by water during that time, but have never had an outbreak that took any more than a buck or two.It seems to take the mature deer more than young deer.I have heard that if exposed once while young they have an immunity so maybe thats why I have been lucky so far.