Ohio Officials Consider Emergency Regulations Due to 'Worst EHD Outbreak' in State’s History

Southeast Ohio’s deer population is experiencing a serious epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak, forcing wildlife managers to consider adjusting hunting regulations before the state’s rifle season opens.

EHD is a virus transmitted by biting flies such as no-see-ums. Deer killed by the disease are typically found near water after experiencing high fever and dehydration.

Historically, the virus has been found in parts of the Southeast U.S., where whitetails typically have antibodies that limit the severity of EHD outbreaks. However,according to the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, “in recent years, this virus has been moving northward, potentially due to impacts of climate change.” In those locales, EHD has the potential to more severely impact deer herds which have no natural resistance to the disease.

This summer, one such outbreak has occurred in southeast Ohio. As of September 23, there have been over 8,000 reports of sick or dead deer in the state, with the majority coming from Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties.

“I’ve been in this position for over a decade, and I haven’t seen an outbreak like this in that time,” Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) deer biologist Clint McCoytold The Athens Messenger. “I’d venture to say that it’s probably the worst outbreak we’ve seen in Ohio’s history.”

The severity of the outbreak has prompted ODNR wildlife managers topropose a last-minute adjustmentto the hunting regs in Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties. The agency is suggesting cutting the season bag limit in those counties from three to two deer per hunter. If approved, the regulation change would take effect on December 1, which coincides with the start of rifle season.

According tothe Athens County Independent, local hunters and landowners “all expressed support for the Division of Wildlife’s proposed rule change,” at a recent public meeting. “These deer need pretty much any break we can give them,” said one resident.

In fact, some people in the community are calling for even further restrictions. A petition written by Victoria Maze of Washington County is calling for “canceling or postponing the 2025 deer season in the worst-affected counties,” or, in lieu of that, even greater bag limit reductions. Several hunters voiced their support for the petition.

“I am a licensed Athens County hunter and property owner. I have never witnessed EHD kill as catastrophic as what is happening in Athens County and Washington County,” wrote Ryan, a resident of Parkersburg, on the petition website. “Due to the decimation of the deer herd in our local area, I fully support closing all deer hunting seasons this year in select areas for the betterment of the herd in the future.”

In a blog post, Kip Adams, Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association, explains that “since [EHD] is spread by insects, there is little we can do to prevent it and outbreaks will end with the onset of cold weather.”

“Since outbreaks are generally localized and mortality occurs during summer, the best thing to do from a personal or property-specific deer management perspective is adjust antlerless harvest rates that fall, if necessary,” he adds. “It’s important to note that humans are not at risk by handling infected deer, eating venison from infected deer, or being bitten by infected midges. Fortunately, our dogs and cats are not at risk either.”

The ODNR is accepting public comments on its recent proposalonline until October 16. The agency will also hold a public hearing at an ODNR wildlife council meeting on Wednesday, October 22.

Shop