PIERRE, S.D. – Several areas in South Dakota have reported deer die-offs, causing concern among some area residents.

"We have identified the cause of death in some of these cases to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease or EHD," said Tony Leif, game program administrator for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. "After the hot and dry weather we have had, we anticipated problems with EHD and it appears that our suspicions were correct."

Leif said that EHD most often impacts white-tailed deer, especially larger bucks, and it can become prevalent at the driest time of the year – usually mid-August through September. Outbreaks of EHD occur most often in central and western South Dakota. The disease is specific to ungulates and is transmitted by biting midges. The disease is not contagious from one animal to another, and is not transferable to humans.

"There have been reports of die-offs in several counties including Charles Mix, Brule, Harding, Perkins, Butte, Meade and Bennett," Leif said. "There may be additional small-scale die-offs in other counties as well. Bennett and Charles Mix appear to be some of the more heavily affected areas."

Brent Nye, a GFP conservation officer in Charles Mix County said he estimates the die-off conservatively at approximately 250 deer.

Department Regional Wildlife Manager John Wrede noted that the sale of remaining leftover licenses in one Bennett County unit had been eliminated to compensate for the loss of deer in that area. "We took this measure in response to landowner concerns about the deer loss. Aside from Bennett County, I would not anticipate any significant reduction in the deer population in most areas due to the EHD die-off," he said.

The biting midges that transmit EHD are effectively stopped with the first killing frost, so there is little chance of encountering an EHD-affected animal while hunting. However, any hunter who does encounter a deer that shows signs of disease, extreme weakness or emaciation should notify a GFP office or the local conservation officer. The hunter should be prepared to provide details on the condition of the observed animal, as well as specifics on where and when it was spotted.

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