EHD Questions
There’s been a lot of talk about EHD lately, the deer-killing disease that is spread by biting insects and occurs during the driest part of the year. Well, since this year has been one of the driest on record throughout much of Nebraska, the disease hit a bit sooner and will likely have a larger effect. Because of these dry conditions, however, I have even more concerns outside of EHD that hopefully someone in the cyber world can answer:
1) During dry conditions when it appears that most of the corn is dead, what do deer eat? Does this affect their eating patterns at all?
2) If deer are forced to eat something else besides beans and corn, will our deer on the table taste different? More like those Southern-bred deer I grew up with that taste remarkably different than Plains venison?
3) Are there any other dry-related concerns I’m not thinking about right now? EHD is getting all the headlines but is the drought going to affect my season in any other way?
Post any comments below. As a hunter, I’m looking for answers too.
JK
How about deer to human worries?
What if we shoot a deer that is a carrier but not yet symptomatic, can EHD transfer to people?
The virus does not infect humans or pets. Humans are not at risk for handling or eating venison from infected deer or being infected by a midge. You can report any deer deaths that may be attributed to this disease to their nearest Game and Parks office: Alliance, 308-763-2940; North Platte, 308-535-8025; Kearney, 308-865-5310; Bassett, 402-684-2921; Norfolk, 402-370-3374; and Lincoln, 402-471-0641.
For more information on EHD, visit the web page of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Group from the University of Georgia at http://www.vet.uga.edu/scwds/general.php.