Deer mortality attributed to EHD
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) offices are receiving reports of dead deer in many areas of the state. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia in Athens has analyzed samples from these deer. The diagnosis is no surprise. Testing has confirmed that the deer are dying of EHD (Epizootic Hemorragic Disease).
EHD is no surprise because it occurs regularly in Tennessee, according to TWRA officials. Some years there is virtually no sign of EHD, and others, like this year, it seems to be everywhere. Reports to TWRA offices indicate mortality of deer in at least 30 counties with more expected as the season progresses.
‘What makes this year a little alarming is that the reports started coming in early August, several weeks earlier than usual,’ said Daryl Ratajczak, TWRA Big Game Coordinator.
‘We most often start getting the dead deer reports in the last week of August and first part of September,’ said Roger Applegate, TWRA wildlife disease coordinator. ‘However, the most important thing for hunters, landowners, and the public to know is that this is a regular and natural event that routinely afflicts white-tailed deer and that it is not transmissible to humans or any other animals. The public also need not be overly concerned about the fate of the deer because any reduction in deer numbers in a local area will easily be made up within a couple of years.’
White-tailed deer have adapted to EHD. Does’ that survive an infection of the EHD virus will pass along immunity to their fawns and foster an increase in immunity for several years before another die-off occurs.
The EHD disease cycle begins with the virus being transmitted to deer by a midge; a small biting fly that humans recognize as ‘no-seeums.’ The virus causes depression, fever, respiratory distress, and swelling of the neck or tongue. Those deer that survive these ills may slowly lose appetite and/or become lame which could last for several weeks before the deer die or shake off the disease.
‘Due to the already stressful conditions caused by the drought, we can expect to see die-offs as high as 40 percent in some highly localized areas,’ said Applegate.
‘Although it is unfortunate, EHD die-offs are part of a completely natural cycle that has been occurring for eons. The deer obviously deal with it, we must deal with it as well,’ said Ratajczak.
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WATERFOWL HUNTING AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER
Waterfowl hunters have opportunities for hunting Canada geese, wood ducks, and teal in September, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Canada goose hunting is allowed September 1-15, with a daily bag limit of 5 geese. Wood duck/teal may be hunted from September 8-12 with a daily bag limit of 4 (only 2 of which may be wood ducks).
Hunters should remember that all waterfowl hunting requires the use of nontoxic shot and all shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than 3 shells. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
When hunting on public land or water, hunters should remember that it is illegal to hunt within 100 yards of a visible dwelling without the owner’s permission.
Waterfowl hunters age 16 and over should possess, in addition to other required licenses, a Federal Duck Stamp which is available from U.S. Post Offices and many sporting good stores.
A Migratory Bird Permit is also required for hunters between 13-64 years of age except for Lifetime Sportsman License holders, landowners hunting on their own property, disabled veterans, and military personnel on leave with leave papers. This permit is available from all license agents. It is free for Annual Sportsman License holders and costs $2 for all others.
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HUNTER SAFETY CLASS SCHEDULE
The following is the scheduled dates and times of hunter safety classes for Warren and neighboring counties:
Warren County ‘ Warren County Administrative Bldg. September 17, 18, 20, 21 (6:00 ‘ 9:00 p.m.) and September 22 (will shoot in a.m.) MUST ATTEND ALL CLASSES. Register 1st night of class. Instructor is Shane Prater.
Putnam County ‘ TN Tech, Pennebaker Hall, Biology Bldg. Thursday, September 20 & Friday, September 21 (6:00 ‘ 9:00 p.m.) and Saturday, September 22 (7:30 a.m. ‘ 2:30 p.m.). MUST ATTEND ALL 3 CLASSES. Pre-register for class by calling Leisure Services at 931-520-4386 or 931-520-5286. Alfred Ballinger is the instructor.
Putnam County ‘ TN Tech, Pennebaker Hall, Biology Bldg. Thursday, October 18 & Friday, October 19 (6:00 ‘ 9:00 p.m.) and Saturday, October 20 (7:30 a.m. ‘ 2:30 p.m.). MUST ATTEND ALL 3 CLASSES. Pre-register for class by calling Leisure Services at 931-520-4386 or 931-520-5286. Alfred Ballinger is the instructor.
Van Buren County ‘ Fall Creek Falls Community Center on Hwy. 284, north entrance to park. September 10, 11, 13, 14 (6:00 ‘ 9:00 p.m.) and September 15 (will shoot at 10:00 a.m.) MUST ATTEND ALL CLASSES. Register 1st night of class. The instructor is Kyle Walling.
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DRAWING FOR WMA QUOTA HUNTS COMPLETED, PERMITS BEING MAILED
The drawings have been completed for the wildlife management area quota hunts and permits will be mailed soon to successful applicants, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
This is the second year that the WMA quota application process has been handled solely through the electronic system of on-line and through the R.E.A.L system at license agents. This allowed the drawing to be done much sooner than under the paper application system, when applications had to be entered into the computer after being mailed to TWRA. The drawing was completed approximately three weeks earlier than in past years.
There were 22,624 applicants this year, which was up 2,251 over last year. Of these, 18,169 were successful in the drawing process. After the regular draw, there were 5,759 permits left over. These permits were issued through the vacancy drawing. This means that 5,759 applicants applied for and received permits from two drawings. Some 85% of the applicants were Sportsman License holders.
This year, there were four drawings held. The 2 priority point drawing had 200 successful applicants, the 1 priority point drawing had 1,344 successful applicants, the regular drawing had 16,625 successful, and the vacancy drawing took up the rest of the permits with 5,759 successful for a second permit. There were no permits left after all the drawings were completed. After the drawing was completed, there were 654 that will have 3 priority points for next year.
Many hunters are taking advantage of the opportunity of staying at home and applying for hunts over the Internet. This year, here were 11,312, or 1’2 of the applicants, that filed their application on-line.
To check your application on-line, go to www.tnwildlife.org and click on Check Your Quota Hunt Application Status & Permit Availability (located down the right side of the page).