Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Biologists Monitoring Deer Mortality Due to EHD
Wildlife biologists have been monitoring an ongoing mortality event in white-tailed deer in western North Dakota.
Since late August, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has documented white-tailed deer deaths attributed to epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Emmons, Grant, Morton, Dunn, Billings, Stark, Hettinger and Adams counties.
“EHD is a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats,” said Dr. Charlie Bahnson, Game and Fish wildlife veterinarian. “We see a low level of EHD activity most years, but every so often, several environmental factors line up to make for a bad season, particularly in the southwest. This can result in high, localized mortality, but the good news is that the outbreak ends with cold weather that kills the gnats and our deer population does rebound. At this point we do not believe EHD has caused significant mortality like it did in 2011, but it does have our attention due to the number of reports we have received, which is why we are asking the public for their assistance to better gauge the intensity of this year’s outbreak.”
To gauge the extent and severity of the outbreak, Game and Fish encourages the public to report any sick or dead deer. Reports must include the species, age, sex and location.
“In some cases, we may need to collect samples off fresh carcasses, so please notify the department as soon as possible,” Bahnson said.
EHD primarily affects white-tailed deer, but other big games species are susceptible. The virus is not a danger to humans. However, hunters should not shoot or consume a deer if it appears sick.
Hunters should report any dead deer along with pictures (if possible) to the Game and Fish Department at [email protected], or (701) 328-6351.
Motorists Warned to Watch for Deer
Motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways this time of year because juvenile animals are dispersing from their home ranges.
October through early December is the peak period for deer-vehicle accidents. Motorists are advised to slow down and exercise caution after dark to reduce the likelihood of encounters with deer along roadways. Most deer-vehicle accidents occur primarily at dawn and dusk when deer are most often moving around.
Motorists should be aware of warning signs signaling deer are in the area. When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow. Also, pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs.
Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. If an accident does happen, law enforcement authorities do not have to be notified if only the vehicle is damaged. However, if the accident involves personal injury or other property damage, then it must be reported.
In addition, a permit is required before taking possession of a road-killed deer. Permits are free and available from game wardens and local law enforcement offices.
A few precautions can minimize chances of injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Don’t swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway.
• Don’t lose control of your vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. You risk less injury by hitting the deer.
• If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk your horn.
PLOTS Regulations
Out-of-state hunters are reminded that state law does not allow nonresidents to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department owned or managed lands during the first week of pheasant season.
Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 10-16. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state-owned and federal lands, or private land.
The law applies to all small game, waterfowl, furbearer and big game hunting on PLOTS and state wildlife management areas during the first seven days of the pheasant season. Starting Oct. 17 this year, nonresidents may hunt on PLOTS and WMAs if the appropriate season is open.
In addition, all hunters are reminded that activities such as riding horses for hunting purposes or for pleasure on PLOTS require written permission from the landowner. Permission from the landowner is always required for motorized vehicle access, such as for setting decoys in a field, unless specifically designated on the PLOTS sign.
Leaving equipment or other provisions in a PLOTS area overnight, such as tree stands or blinds, decoys, firearms and archery equipment, or trail cameras is not allowed without written permission from the landowner.
