Deer Kill on Eastern Shore

[Lisa6821]

I understand that there has been a large amount of Whitetail killed on Eastern Shore due to a disease called EHD, is there any truth to this rumor

 

[Doco Overboard]

Theirs truth to a lot of deer found dead.
Whether its always biologically created or created by man I cannot accurately say.
It happens always at the same time, the deaths are also not consistently geographically linked as far as I can tell.
Many of them are always or nearly trophy quality or at least garner the most attention when they are found only.

 

[Zaicran]

I understand that there has been a large amount of Whitetail killed on Eastern Shore due to a disease called EHD, is there any truth to this rumor

This is correct. However, EHD is pretty much a problem nationwide and there are outbreaks that occur rather randomly. Baiting deer only exacerbates the outbreak.

 

[outrider58]

This is correct. However, EHD is pretty much a problem nationwide and there are outbreaks that occur rather randomly. Baiting deer only exacerbates the outbreak.

How so?

 

[Zaicran]

How so?

Herd density plays a role in the outbreaks. Baiting increases that density.

 

[justiw]

We saw a few in Wicomico co. over the summer. They were not baited. Who baits during summer months anyway? Forage is plentiful

 

[dannyp]

yes , the farmer we lease from said he has seen 25 bucks dead between the four farms he has picked . ( doesn't count does , they shoot them for crop damage ) . summerset co.

 

[Zaicran]

We saw a few in Wicomico co. over the summer. They were not baited. Who baits during summer months anyway? Forage is plentiful

Baiting for deer usually starts mid-August for the early Sept bow opener. I hunt the eastern shore and many many hunters start baiting end of Aug.

 

[outrider58]

Herd density plays a role in the outbreaks. Baiting increases that density.

There is no correlation between EHD and herd density except where the virus occurs, deer of that local will be susceptible. It is caused by biting midges, bred in stagnant water holes. It is more prominent during dry or drought periods when water sources remain un replenished with fresh cooler water, but exists, to some extent, anywhere there is stagnant water.

I have witnessed EHD in very lightly deer populated areas where they are not 'baited'. It is not like CWD in any way.

 

[Zaicran]

There is no correlation between EHD and herd density except where the virus occurs, deer of that local will be susceptible. It is caused by biting midges, bred in stagnant water holes. It is more prominent during dry or drought periods when water sources remain un replenished with fresh cooler water, but exists, to some extent, anywhere there is stagnant water.

I have witnessed EHD in very lightly deer populated areas where they are not 'baited'. It is not like CWD in any way.

As I said...

 

[Lisa6821]

Is it predominantly, lower Easter shore? The individual I spoke with, told me its centered around Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, again it's a secondhand source.

Also, thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

[Zaicran]

Is it predominantly, lower Easter shore? The individual I spoke with, told me its centered around Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, again it's a secondhand source.

Also, thanks everyone for the feedback.

We've see some deaths on our property near Snow Hill, and also over in Princess Anne

 

[mauser58]

There is no correlation between EHD and herd density except where the virus occurs, deer of that local will be susceptible. It is caused by biting midges, bred in stagnant water holes. It is more prominent during dry or drought periods when water sources remain un replenished with fresh cooler water, but exists, to some extent, anywhere there is stagnant water.

I have witnessed EHD in very lightly deer populated areas where they are not 'baited'. It is not like CWD in any way.

Thanks for the info Outrider! I was wondering where and how it gets transferred or infect deer.

 

[mauser58]

My son is a Wildlife officer in Tenn. He has been telling me about some deer disease there that is killing quite a few deer. It is spread he told me from deer saliva or from remains of a dead infected deer. They call it blue tongue which really isn't the true name. Deer dont get sickly looking like CWD . They crave water when infected and usually die near a watering hole he said. Their tongues turn bluish color.

 

[gwchem]

Blue tongue and EHD are the same disease.

It's certainly here in southern Maryland. We've found big, healthy bucks dead in the creek with no injuries.

 

[outrider58]

As I said...

Baiting attracts deer. It attracts deer within a certain limited area. Those same deer will undoubtedly become susceptible to the virus if it exists in that area. It has nothing to do with baiting.

 

[outrider58]

Blue tongue and EHD are the same disease.

It's certainly here in southern Maryland. We've found big, healthy bucks dead in the creek with no injuries.

They are similar viruses with similar symptoms. They are not the same virus though.

They run to water for the same reason they run to water when gut-shot. They go to water to quell their fever caused by the virus, and in the case of gut-shot, the fever brought on by peritonitis, an infection resulting from a ruptured peritoneum.

 

[outrider58]

Is it predominantly, lower Easter shore? The individual I spoke with, told me its centered around Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, again it's a secondhand source.

Also, thanks everyone for the feedback.

I've witnessed it in both Howard and Montgomery counties. It tends to be not as wide spread the further west you get from the Eastern shores. I would guess because of the terrain.

 

[44man]

What little I know of this is that back in the day of check in stations I checked in 5-6 deer that I allowed the dnr dudes to “age” that I was told had hemorrhagic’s disease, and they told us it was also called blue tongue. We ate all but one because we were told if it had open sores inside not to eat it BUT we couldn’t get it nor could other deer get it because it was only transferred by mites that get exposed in drought years. They also told us it caused fever in the deer so that’s why most down here die near a water source.

I am sure the dnr guys could have been wrong but that’s the host of what they told us back then.

We didn’t see any sign of it this year though

 

[Clovis]

Been finding dead deer on the farm since mid August and suspect with the activity I've seen from eagles and buzzards there are plenty more. Deer harvest here is way down and one of the hunters has a trail camera to his phone and has seen so few deer he has not shown to hunt.

Heard second hand that the butchers are seeing fewer all over the shore and blaming HD/blue tongue

Would have to agree I do not think baiting has a thing to do with the spread of this.