From Drury Outdoors:
DOD team member Rod Owen found this buck in a pond by Braymer, MO. This is one of several potential EHD reports that I have heard of over the last week. Has anyone else heard about or found any dead deer lately? Let us know where you are from and how many.
EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) typically occurs from mid-August through October, or until the onset of freezing weather stops the biting midges that carry this nasty virus. I am optimistic that outbreaks will be limited and spotty this year, as we had plenty of rain in many regions this spring and summer. EHD tends to be especially prevalent in drought years.
BREAKING NEWS: I just received a heart-breaking email w/pictures about a giant 200″ plus buck that we were monitoring on the blog, and which has apparently fallen to EHD in this same region. Check back tomorrow for the story.
I was looking forward to reading more on the “freak buck”. That’s not how I figured the story would end. I feel for the guy who was watching this deer. Those sleepless nights he was having just turned into a nightmare.
In Indiana there are reports of EHD in both the captive deer and the wild deer herd in several counties.
And while we’ve had plenty of rain (I’ve already received a years worth) it comes in bunches and then we won’t have a drop for two weeks (or more).